COVID-19 UPDATE: Due to the current circumstances, some of the event dates below may have been changes. Please visit the event website directly for updates.

Join fellow bird enthusiasts of every age and birding level at one of this year’s bird fests, which are happening across the United States.* Check out the table below to find a date and location convenient for you—and to learn more, click the festival’s site link. Happy birding!

*Please note: this is not an exhaustive list; if you know of a bird festival we haven’t mentioned, let us know about it in the comments!

NameWebsiteDatesLocation Details
North Shore Birding Festivalwww.orangeaudubonfl.org/festivalJanuary 16-20, 2020Various locations around Lake Apopka in Central FloridaGuided birding field trips on the 20,000-acre Lake Apopka North Shore property and nearby sites.
27th Annual Wings Over Willcoxwingsoverwillcox.comJanuary 17-19, 2020Willcox Community Center, 312 W. Stewart Street, Willcox, ArizonaAvian expert speakers, birding tours, seminars, workshops, and a Nature Expo (with vendors and activities for kids).
Morro Bay Winter Bird Festivalmorrobaybirdfestival.orgJanuary 17-20, 2020Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, CaliforniaOver 140 events, including field trips, workshops, presentations, and birding tours.
23rd Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festivalscbwf.orgJanuary 22-27, 2020Eastern Florida State College, 1311 US-1, Titusville, Florida Field trips, workshops, presentations, world-class photographers, and activities for kids.
15th Annual Eagle Expowww.cajuncoast.com/event/15th-annual-eagle-expoFebruary 13-15, 2020Morgan City, LouisianaGuided boat tours in waterways around Morgan City, presentations by birding and wildlife experts, and a photography seminar and social with a guest speaker.
San Diego Bird Festivalwww.sandiegoaudubon.org/events/bird-festivalFeb 26-Mar 1, 2020Marina Village Conference Center, 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, CaliforniaMore than 40 guided field trips, special talks by expert birders, an Optics and Birding Expo, and more.
Friends of Goose Pond Marsh Madness Sandhill Crane and Migratory Bird Festivalfriendsofgoosepond.orgFebruary 28-29, 2020Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area at 13540 W County RD 400 S, Linton, IndianaThe festival includes a kick-off banquet, craft fair, live birds of prey on display, informational and educational presentations, bus tours, self-guided tours, kids’ activities, and more.
Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festivalwww.wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.comMarch 20-22, 2020Blaine, Birch Bay, and Semiahmoo, WashingtonGuided field trips, bird expert speakers, a bird expo, kid’s activities, photography workshops, and more.
Matagorda Bay Birdfestmatagordabaybirdfest.orgMarch 27-29, 2020Palacios, TexasJoin them for expert speakers, field birding tours by land, boat, and kayak, and a Parade of Birds complete with floats and puppets.
Great Louisiana Birdfestwww.louisiananorthshore.com/event/great-louisiana-birdfest-2020April 3-6, 2020Northlake Nature Center, 23135 Hwy 190 East, Mandeville, LouisianaJoin birdwatchers from all over for guided birding trips by land and water, swamp tours, an introduction to birding speech by an Audubon Society representative, and more.
17th Annual Olympic Peninsula BirdFestolympicbirdfest.orgApril 16-21, 2020Areas around the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.This festival offers birding field trips and boat trips, presentations, workshops, a tour of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribal totem poles, and a banquet.
Birdiest Festival in Americawww.birdiestfestival.orgApril 22-26, 2020South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples Street, Corpus Christi, TexasKeynote speaker David Allen Sibley, ornithologist and author and illustrator of The Sibley Guide to Birds, will be giving lectures, and leading illustration workshops and nature walks. Festivities include vendor trade shows, bird walks, and presentations on The Raptor Project.
Point Reyes Birding and Nature Festivalwww.pointreyesbirdingfestival.orgApril 23-26, 2020Point Reyes National Seashore, CaliforniaOrganized by the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC), this festival features 50+ educational field outings and classroom-based events focused on birds, wildlife, plants, and marine life, hiking, biking, kayaking, art and field photography, and led by some of the Bay Area’s award-winning naturalists and birders.
Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festivalwww.birdyverde.orgApril 23-26, 2020Dead Horse Ranch State Park, 675 Dead Horse Ranch Road, Cottonwood, ArizonaThis festival includes guided birding experiences and workshops across Northern Arizona.
Owens Lake Bird Festivalfriendsoftheinyo.org/owens-lake-bird-festivalApril 24-26, 2020Owens Lake, CaliforniaMore than 30 outings in the area, covering topics that include birding, botany, geology, local history, and photography. The event includes a catered dinner (optional) and speech by a keynote speaker.
Hatchie BirdFestwww.hatchiebirdfest.comApril 24-26, 2020Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, TN-76, Stanton, TennesseeThis bird fest is for novice and seasoned birders, and features nature walks, hikes, special guest speakers and demonstrations, and more.
26th Annual Migration Celebrationwww.migrationcelebration.orgApril 25-26, 2020San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, 6801 County Rd 306, Brazoria, TexasBirding trail and van tours, events, presentations, and activities for adults and kids.
12th Annual Red Slough Birding Convention Museum of the Red Riverwww.redsloughconvention.comMay 2-5, 2020Mary H. Herron Conference Center, 812 East Lincoln Road, Idabel, Oklahoma and various local wildlife refuges.Guided tours of local wildlife refutes, including the Red Slough Wildlife Management Area, Little River National Wildlife Refuge, and McCurtain County Wilderness Area.
Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest www.ycic.org/yakima-river-canyon-bird-festMay 8-10, 2020Helen McCabe State Park, 23942- 4398 Canyon Rd, Ellensburg, WashingtonA family-friendly birding event in Central Washington, this bird fest offers expert-led field trips, a keynote speaker event, social events, music, and drinks.
Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festivalcortezculturalcenter.org/events/birding-festivalMay 13 – May 17, 2020Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N Market St, Cortez, ColoradoEnjoy birding tours around southwestern Colorado, as well as expert lectures, social hours, a bird-themed art show, a banquet, and more festivities for birders of every age and level.
22nd Annual Great Salt Lake Bird Festivalwww.daviscountyutah.gov/greatsaltlakebirdfestMay 14-17, 2020George S. and Dolores Dore’ Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 South Waterfowl Way, Farmington, UtahFeaturing over 40 birding field trips, 13 workshops, lectures from bird experts, a student art contest, and vendor booths, this festival is fun (and educational) for the whole family.
Mono Basin Bird Chautauquawww.birdchautauqua.orgJune 19-21, 2020Lee Vining, CaliforniaThis festival features 90 field trips, workshops, and presentations with renowned bird guides, naturalists, and artists. Live music and food will also be available.
Southeast Arizona Birding Festivaltucsonaudubon.org/news-events/southeast-arizona-birding-festivalAugust 5-9, 2020DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson, ArizonaThis event includes field trips, talks, workshops, photography trips and workshops, and a Nature Expo.
Puget Sound Bird Fest in Edmondswww.pugetsoundbirdfest.comSeptember 11-13, 2020700 Main Street, Edmonds, WashingtonExpert birder presentations, guided bird walks, live raptor presentations, special events for kids, and more.
Wings Over Willapafriendsofwillaparefuge.org/wings-over-willapaSeptember 24-27, 2020Washington state’s Long Beach PeninsulaThis event offers three days of guided tours, artist workshops, presentations, and fun-filled events.
Monterey Bay Birding Festivalwww.montereybaybirding.orgOctober 2-4, 2020Watsonville Civic Plaza, 275 Main Street, Watsonville, CaliforniaEnjoy birding field trips, presentations, workshops, and shopping at the Birders Marketplace.
Florida Birding and Nature Festivalwww.floridabirdingandnaturefestival.orgOctober 8-11, 2020Hillsborough Community College, Brandon Campus Conference Center, 10451 Nancy Watkins Drive, Tampa, FloridaField and boat trips, expert seminars, keynote speakers, and a nature expo.
5th Annual Hawaii Island Festival of Birdsbirdfesthawaii.orgOctober 15-19, 2020Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Guided field trips and boat to see Hawaii’s native pelagic and migratory species; bird fair with educational booths, local arts and crafts, and birdwatching equipment for sale; guest speakers and educational talks.
Wings Over Water Wildlife Festivalwww.wingsoverwater.orgOctober 20-25, 2020 and December 4-6, 2020 (encore session)Various wildlife refuges and bird hotspots in North CarolinaBirding tours in six national wildlife refuges and national parks. Also on the schedule: experienced birder talks, photography and arts, and natural history programs.
27th Annual Rio Grande Valley Birding Festivalwww.rgvbf.orgNovember 11, 2020701 Harlingen Heights Drive, Harlingen, Texas120 birding field trips, keynote speakers, presentations, a Birders Bazaar trade show, a silent auction, local art and photography, and food and beverages.

Blog featured image courtesy of Audubon South Carolina.