The vibrant Basant Kite Flying Festival is set to transform Carrigaline and Cork City into a celebration of South Asian culture from 27th to 29th June 2025, bringing traditional kite flying, live music, and the beloved Mango Party to Cork for the fourth consecutive year.

What started as a modest one-day community gathering has blossomed into a weekend-long cultural showcase that bridges Cork’s growing diversity with centuries-old South Asian traditions. The festival celebrates Basant, a springtime celebration traditionally marked by blooming mustard flowers and communities dressed in yellow across the Indian subcontinent.

The heart of this year’s festivities takes place in Carrigaline on Sunday, 29th June, where families can enjoy kite flying and kite-making workshops, traditional attire showcases, lively dance performances, and live Punjabi drumming. The festival’s signature Mango Party promises to be a particular highlight for visitors of all ages.

Cork City joins the celebration with a screening of the popular Pakistani film Legend of Maula Jatt at Triskel Arts Centre. A travelling exhibition featuring Ireland-based South Asian artists will open at Carrigaline Library on 27th June, running until 18th July, before moving to Cork City Library from 22nd July to 22nd August. The exhibition showcases works by Iqra Iqbal, Hina Khan, Aditya Labhe, Antonio D’Souza, and festival founder Amna Walayat.

Walayat, a visual artist and UCC alumna, leads the community-based, non-profit festival alongside Sample Studios. The event celebrates South Asian cultural identity in Ireland whilst fostering inclusion and shared joy across different generations and backgrounds.

Cllr. Patrick Donovan will attend as chief guest, representing Mayor of County Cork Cllr. Joe Carroll. The festival receives support from the Arts Council, Cork County Council, Creative Ireland, Sample Studios, Rethink Ireland, Community Foundation Ireland, Triskel Arts Centre, and Cork City Library.

All events are free and open to the public, though advance booking is recommended at corkbasant.com. Festival-goers are encouraged to wear yellow, the traditional colour of Basant and the spirit of spring.