Get ready to make 2024 a year of birding! We have all the details on the major birding festivals happening across the states this year. Grab your binoculars and field guide, and get ready for some family-friendly gatherings of bird lovers like you! 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!

EXCITING NEWS! Chirp is proud to be a sponsor of the San Diego Bird Festival 2024! Join us there from February 21-25th, stop by the Chirp booth to stay hello, and enjoy a presentation entitled “Full Feeders, Full Hearts: the Art of Backyard Bird Feeding” by our very own Randy Putz. Register now, and see more event details in the table below!

*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!

NameWebsiteDatesLocationDetails
Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festivalwingsoverwillcox.comJanuary 11-14, 2024Willcox Community Center, 312 West Stewart Street, Willcox, ArizonaJoin fellow bird lovers for local birding field trips, seminars, and a nature expo featuring live animal displays and educational exhibits. Perfect for new and expert birders!
Morro Bay Winter Bird Festivalmorrobaybirdfestival.orgJanuary 11-15, 2024Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, CaliforniaEnjoy guided bird walks and tours, presentations by birding experts, and workshops for bird identification, conservation, and photography.
Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festivalscbwa.netJanuary 24-28, 2024Radisson Resort, Port Canaveral, FLBring your avid and beginner birdwatching friends to this birding extravaganza in one of the nation’s hottest birding spots, Florida’s Space Coast. This festival features more than 90 exhibits of all things focused on birds, wildlife, and nature.
Hammock Coast Birding Festivalhammockcoastsc.com/hammock-coast-birding-festivalFebruary 9-11, 2024Hammock Coast, South CarolinaThis all-inclusive bird festival offers guided tours, expert lectures, birding events, and dinners, all across the backdrop of South Carolina’s picturesque Hammock Coast, home of more than 300 species of birds.
Friends of Goose Pond Marsh Madness Sandhill Crane and Migratory Bird Festivalfriendsofgoosepond.orgFebruary 16-17, 2024Linton Elks Club/Humphreys Park and Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, Linton, IndianaThis birding event focuses on the spring Sandhill Crane migration, with guided walks and tours, a craft fair, kid’s activities, and birds of prey on display.
San Diego Bird Festivalsandiegoaudubon.org/birding/san-diego-bird-festivalFebruary 21-25, 2024Marina Village Conference Center, 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, CaliforniaCelebrate all things avian, with walking, bus, boat, and biking tours of local birding hotspots. Learn how to support birds—and get tips on birding optics, identification, photography, and similar topics—with fellow nature lovers of all ages at social events and presentations (including a special talk on backyard bird feeding by Chirp owner Randy Putz! Register now.) Stop by the Chirp booth at the exhibition to say hello!
Cajun Coast’s Eagle Expocajuncoast.com/event/eagle-expo-2024February 22-24, 2024900 Dr M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Morgan City, LouisianaAttend to enjoy birding boat and walking tours for a chance to see these raptors like owls, falcons, and other birds of prey up close and personal in their native element.
Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festivalwingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.comMarch 15-17, 2024Blaine, Birch Bay, and Semiahmoo, WashingtonBring the kids and enjoy everything from birding cruises, workshops and presentations by experts, bird photography tutorials, and activities for young and budding birders.
Olympic BirdFestolympicbirdfest.orgApril 11-14, 2024Areas around the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.This bird fest is the perfect place to see overwintering birds like long-tailed and Harlequin ducks, as well as Rufous Hummingbirds returning from Mexico. Join fellow nature enthusiasts for field trips, presentations, workshops, and a banquet complete with an expert lecture and raffle.  
Matagorda Bay Birdfestmatagordabaybirdfest.orgApril 12-14, 2024Palacios, TexasCome for the bird parade, featuring colorful floats and costumes. And stay and connect with other bird lovers for the walking and boat bird tours. You’ll also learn about local bird conservation efforts by expert speakers.  
Virginia Osprey Festivalvirginiaospreyfoundation.orgApril 13, 2024Town Hill, Colonial Beach, VirginiaOne of the largest osprey festivals in the world, this event celebrates the annual return of the osprey to Colonial Beach. Peruse all things avian- and nature-related in their free exhibition.
Point Reyes Birding and Nature Festivalpointreyesbirdingfestival.orgApril 19-21, 2024Point Reyes National Seashore/ Marin and Sonoma counties, CaliforniaThis three-day event is located right on the Pacific Flyway, where more than half of North America’s bird species have been spotted. Join in on 55 field events, social gatherings, and a free family fun day. Stay for talks by award-winning naturalists and educators.
Birdiest Festival in Americabirdiestfestival.orgApril 24-28, 2024South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples Street, Corpus Christi, TexasLocated on South Texas’ Gulf Coast—home to more than 659 species of birds—this special event offers field trips including world-famous King Ranch, presentations, workshops, bird walks, along with Raptor Project presentations, Trade Show, KEYNOTE speaker, Family Fun Day with artisan booths, Pre-Trip and Post-Trip.
Hatchie BirdFesthatchiebirdfest.comApril 26-28, 2024121 Sunny Hill Cove, Brownsville, TennesseeSet against West Tennessee’s Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, this birding fest offers guided birding hikes and walks, special speakers and demonstrations, and a nature-themed exhibition. Conservation-themed seminars are also scheduled.
Migration Celebrationmigrationcelebration.orgApril 27-28, 2024TBD.Celebrate birds with a festival offering birding trail and van tours, presentations, and activities for adults and kids. This includes their yearly photo contest, recognizing local nature photographers for their work.
The Biggest Week in American Birdingbiggestweekinamericanbirding.com/May 3-12, 2024Oak Harbor, OhioVisit the “warbler capital of the world” in Oak Harbor, and get to know other bird lovers at the event’s evening socials, birder’s marketplace, photography workshops, and so much more. (They even have a bird tattoo contest!)
Great Salt Lake Bird Festivaldaviscountyutah.gov/greatsaltlakebirdfestMay 16-19, 2024George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 South Waterfowl Way, Farmington, UtahSet in a birder’s paradise, this fest gives you ample opportunities to view the abundant bird life in the area. Go on guided field trips, and attend workshops on everything from photographing birds to making bird feeders.
Cape May Spring Festivalnjaudubon.org/cape-may-spring-festivalMay 16-19, 2024Cape May, New JerseyHave fun on birding field trips, boat rides, and more—including live music and a food truck with yummy local fare. This festival also features a music-and-multimedia performance by five local composers.
Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festivalpikespeakbirdingandnaturefestival.orgMay 16-19, 2024Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain, ColoradoExplore Colorado’s Front Range at peak migration time to see some of the countless bird species in the area. You can look forward to a schedule chockfull of birding field trips and events in this “prairie to peak” birding event.
Indiana Dunes Birding Festivalindunesbirdingfestival.comMay 16-19, 2024Indiana Dunes National Park Visitor Center, 1215 N. State Road 49, Porter, IndianaPeruse the Lake Michigan shoreline, with its rich biodiversity and countless bird species. This birding festival celebrates the area with plenty of birdwatching events and environmental and conservation educational opportunities.
Puget Sound Bird Fest in Edmondspugetsoundbirdfest.comJune 1-2, 2024700 Main Street, Edmonds, WashingtonExplore the gorgeous Puget Sound area of Washington in guided walks. Bone up on your bird knowledge with presentations by authors, scientists, and naturalists. Enjoy a boat cruise. And dig into nature-themed activities and crafts.  
Rangeley Birding Festivalrangeleybirdingfestival.comJune 7-9, 2024Rangeley, MaineKnown for its Boreal Chickadees, Boreal Forest is part of the Rangeley region of Maine, and home of this beloved bird festival. It’s the perfect place and time to spot migrating and breeding warblers on the event’s many birding trips and tours. Other fun activities include a bird-themed trivia night.
Mono Basin Bird Chautauquabirdchautauqua.orgJune 21-23, 2024Lee Vining, CaliforniaGet to know Mono Basin’s diverse and abundant bird life intimately, in a festival featuring over 90 field trips, workshops, and presentations by top bird guides and naturalists. Throw in live music and food for even more fun!
Southeast Arizona Birding Festivaltucsonaudubon.org/news-events/southeast-arizona-birding-festival/August 7-11, 2024DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson, ArizonaGet more than a glimpse of rarely seen bird species—think Red-faced Warblers and Five-striped Sparrows—at this festival, which offers guided field trips, programs, photography workshops, and a nature expo.  
Yampa Valley Crane Festivalcoloradocranes.orgAugust 29-September 1, 2024Yampa Valley in Northwest ColoradoGather with the migrating cranes before their southern migration. This festival is smack dab in the middle of this phenomenon, and offers guided tours and nature walks, talks by expert speakers, and activities for young and old.
Wings Over Willapafriendsofwillaparefuge.org/wings-over-willapaSeptember 20-22, 2024Willapa National Wildlife Refuge andareas aroundthe Long Beach Peninsula, Washington stateMeet at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge with like-minded nature lovers, and enjoy expert-led bird walks, wildlife tracking and bird technology programs, and crafting with all ages during their Nature Play Day.
Florida Birding and Nature Festivalfloridabirdingandnaturefestival.orgOctober 17-20, 2024Tampa Bay, FloridaAt this Tampa Bay birding event, you’ll experience field and boat trips, seminars and talks led by wildlife experts, and a free nature expo where you can shop unique products.
Wings Over Water Wildlife Festivalwingsoverwater.orgOctober 22-27 and December 6-8, 2024Various wildlife refuges and bird hotspots in North CarolinaAttend this festival, not once—but twice! Featuring an “encore” December session, you get twice the fun of spotting the local birds, including owls, shorebirds, raptors, and rare species. Explore nature photography van tours, kayak paddle tours, and so much more to excite the bird lover in you.   
Rio Grande Valley Birding Festivalrgvbf.orgNovember 6-10, 2024701 Harlingen Heights Drive, Harlingen, TexasGet ready to spot any number of bird species, including rare species, in a spot that is on many a birder’s bucket list. The festival builds on this excitement with more than 100 local field trips, informative workshops, keynote speakers and expert birders, and a tradeshow full of birding tools.  
North Shore Birding Festivalnorthshorebirdingfestival.comDecember 5-9, 2024Various locations around Lake Apopka North Shore in Central FloridaGo on birding field trips around Central Florida and spot local favorites like owls and woodcocks. Enjoy nature walks and workshops by day, and catered dinners featuring keynote speakers by night, at this top eBird hotspot where almost 370 bird species have been sighted.

Photo courtesy of Alabama Audubon.