Each year as cranes trace their ancient migration paths across North America, over forty- thousand crane enthusiasts gather for celebrations of one of the biggest wildlife phenomena on the planet. There are over 15 festivals across North America focused solely on the most numerous crane species in the world, Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) and the rarest species, Whooping Cranes (Grus americana). These festivals blend opportunities to learn about crane conservation, ecology, traditional knowledge and storytelling, and to witness intricate courtship dances, iconic trumpeting calls, and massive migration flocks.
Festivals also offer a chance to experience the ecosystems that are important throughout a crane’s annual life cycle, ranging from the picturesque wintering grounds of Bosque del Apache in New Mexico, to the migratory stopover sites like the Tanana Valley in Alaska, and the tail end of the breeding season in the mountains of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Each festival is unique- featuring art and dance exhibitions, documentary showings, crane-themed wares, children’s programs, community celebrations and social events, and presentations and workshops from bird experts, storytellers, and photographers.
Perhaps the highlight of any crane festival is field trips, which provide a chance to witness cranes in important habitat areas and watch their fascinating suite of behaviors. While observing pairs of cranes with their colts set against the backdrop of a Rocky Mountain river, or massive flocks of cranes as they descend Mary-Poppins style into the shallow waters of the Platte River in Nebraska each night in March, you start to realize that we have common ground with these birds- watersheds. Water is the connective tissue for people and these birds, providing critical refugia during every single part of their lives and thus, a roadmap to crane festivals across the nation.
At the Great Midwest Crane Fest, hosted annually in the Wisconsin River basin by the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and the Aldo Leopold Foundation, attendees have the opportunity to observe cranes on their riverine roost sites from renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold’s homestead, and listen to the “pandemonium of trumpets, rattles, croaks, and cries,” just as he once did. Visitors can also view and learn about every crane species in the world housed in enclosures resembling their natural habitat at the ICF headquarters, attend a presentation in a rustic lecture hall warmed by a wood burning stove, or explore wetlands and agricultural fields of the autumn-hued countryside to search for foraging Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes. Over 650 people attend this festival every year.
The Yampa Valley Crane Festival, hosted annually by the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition (CCCC) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, provides morning and evening bus tours to see cranes from the Rocky Mountain Population roosting on the Yampa River during the fall migration. During the 2025 festival, a tour group led by crane expert Paul Tebbel marveled as a mated pair provisioned their colt with food, a service that the young crane would lose by the spring migration. One participant remarked on how marvelous it was to see this particular behavior- underscoring the idea that crane festivals provide chances to piece together intimate observations of crane behaviors that a person may not see elsewhere in the migratory range.
Outside of tours, several social gatherings for festival attendees provided the opportunity for conversation with prominent figures, including George Archibald- ornithologist and co-founder of ICF, Ted Floyd- Editor of Birding Magazine, Nancy Merrill- co-founder and president of CCCC, and the charismatic crane conservationist Paul Tebbel. Over 2500 participants also explored the area through guided pontoon boat tours and birding trips, learned about cranes and other local birds from expert presentations, workshops, art exhibitions, and vendor booths, and watched the first North American showing of the 2025 documentary titled Dances with Cranes, featuring a year in the life of whooping cranes and the humans saving them from extinction.
Several crane festival coordinators and conservationists from Nebraska’s Platte River, the California Delta, and the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge of New Mexico, gathered alongside CCCC staff and volunteers at this festival to share stories, ideas, and lessons learned. Several themes emerged from conversation, and some were surprising. The first one is obvious- festivals allow enthusiasts to form connections with each other and to celebrate our ties to the cranes and the places they need. They also provide revenue to communities closest to important habitat for cranes, encouraging communities to be invested partners in conservation work.
Since cranes have adapted to eat cultivated grains following the conversion of their native habitat, another theme is that several organizations work with the agricultural community. Crane festivals often feature ranch and farm tours to highlight these important relationships and showcase creative conservation solutions that blend the needs of people and cranes. Examples of these programs include ICF’s seed treatment to prevent crane damage to planted corn, and CCCC’s Crops for Cranes Program, which provides financial incentives to farmers to leave grain crops during late summer and fall prior to the crane migration.
Another theme that emerged is that crane festivals are driven largely by the passion of volunteers and their pride in the cranes they share a landscape with. Some even self-identify as “craniacs”. Their experiences and skillsets generate new pathways for engagement. Whether it's through guiding crane tours and interpretive talks, working with a local brewery to come up with a Sandhill Crane brew, spending an entire day in a crane costume, or helping with mundane tasks like cleaning, it is clear that volunteers help to expand the capacity of festivals to meet a greater scale of engagement, thus creating a tangible impact on crane conservation. In fact, a recent poll from crane festival coordinators across the U.S. showed that over 1,000 volunteers participate in crane festivals each year. Some very dedicated volunteers, like Sandra and Erv Nichols, help guide crane tours and educate visitors about crane behavior and folklore at several crane festivals throughout the year, following the migration path of the cranes. Read more about their adventures here: https://friendsofbosquedelapache.org/sandhill-crane-migration-an-annual-cycle/
Perhaps the most important consensus among the crane festival community is that both cranes and people are intrinsically linked to healthy wetlands and watersheds for the myriad of ecosystem services they provide. Climate change and habitat loss are among the biggest current and future threats to these ecosystems universally, perhaps re-shaping crane migration pathways, impacting disproportionately important habitat like the rivers and wetlands, and influencing the livelihoods of communities tied to healthy watersheds. From the rising tides of the Texas coast to diminishing groundwater and streamflow in many riverine ecosystems across the country, festivals play an important role in demonstrating the impacts of climate change and communicating a place-based vision of how a future with cranes translates to a healthier and more sustainable planet.
Crane festivals reinforce the idea that in order to protect the cranes, we should not only prioritize habitat protection, but we should also continue to engage with something rare in the modern world; the chance to experience one of the world’s last great migrations. For many attendees, watching thousands of cranes take flight at dawn becomes a lifelong memory—an experience that fosters deeper commitment to the lands and waters these birds depend on and that reminds us all of the fragility and resilience of the natural world.
To support cranes this year, mark your calendar for attending or volunteering at a festival. You’ll want to carve out time for both festival activities and exploration time. Read below to discover useful tips for planning ahead and learn about the common threads and differences between North American crane festivals.
2026 North American Crane Festivals
Festival of the Cranes | Decatur, Alabama; January 9-11, 2026
This winter festival celebrates the return of Whooping Cranes and over 20,000 Sandhill Cranes to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in the Tennessee River Valley. The festival features bird watching, nature walks, educational and photography workshops, and presentations at the refuge's visitor center, the Alabama Center for the Arts, and the Cook Museum of Natural Science. Registration is required.
More info: https://www.friendsofwheelernwr.org/foc-2026
Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival | Willcox, Arizona; January 15-18, 2026
Wings Over Willcox is a 3-day festival providing the opportunity to see winter migrants such as Sandhill Cranes and waterfowl at Whitewater Draw. The festival also offers bird outings to spot southwest bird species found in the Sulphur Springs Valley- including Scaled Quail, Arizona Woodpecker, Sagebrush Sparrow, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Mexican Jay, and Bendire’s Thrasher. Outside of birding trips, there are many opportunities to explore nature in Southeast Arizona through tours for photography, geology, archeology, history, botany, agriculture, and ranching. The nature expo features educational booths, live animal displays, and a wide variety of vendors with nature-related crafts and wares. Along with a banquet and keynote speaker, there are several free seminars about many different topics are offered throughout the day. Registration opens in October.
Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival | Birchwood, Tennessee; January 17-18, 2026
Hosted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, this festival celebrates the winter return of over 20,000 Sandhill Cranes, and offers crane, waterfowl, and eagle watching opportunities at the Hiwassee Refuge and the Cherokee Removal Memorial overlook. There are also educational booths, Cherokee cultural demonstrations, a live raptor show, music, an auction, vendors, and a children’s craft room.
Whooping Crane Festival | Port Aransas, Texas; February 19-22, 2026
Each year since 1996, the Whooping Crane Festival celebrates the annual return of the cranes to their wintering habitat at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. The Coastal Bend of Texas is the only place where you can see the world’s last wild, self-sustaining population of Whooping Cranes. Along with Whooping Crane viewing, the festival offers photography workshops and bird outings by land and by boat along the Texas shorelines of Mustang Island. Beyond bird-watching, the festival features speakers that highlight the decades-long efforts to recover Whooping Crane populations from the brink of extinction. Visitors can also shop for crane-themed gifts, artwork, and local items at the free trade show.
Marsh Madness Sandhill Crane Festival | Linton, Indiana; February 20-21, 2026
This winter festival celebrates the return of Sandhill Cranes to the marshes and prairies of Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. The festival begins with a Friday kickoff event, followed by all-day activities on Saturday such as guided bus tours of Goose Pond, speakers, hands-on wildlife activities for kids, art-in-nature activities, an arts and crafts fair, educational displays, and outings with bird experts to view Sandhill Cranes, Whooping Cranes, ducks, and geese.
Registration is required.
Central Nebraska Crane Season | Kearney and Grand Island, Nebraska; March-early April, 2026
The Platte River Valley of Central Nebraska draws in over one-million Sandhill Cranes from the Central Flyway and over 20 percent of the entire population of Whooping Cranes during the spring migration in March and early April, providing visitors with the opportunity to view the cranes throughout the river valley. Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary and Crane Trust provide nearly 6 weeks of morning and evening guided crane tours to heated riverside blinds during this period, offering unforgettable views of large roosts of cranes. Both locations also provide talks on crane behavior and natural history, a crane-focused gift shop, photography experiences, children’s programs, and art classes. Audubon’s visitor center offers indoor accessible crane viewing and interpretive displays. Both sites also offer a live crane camera and virtual crane viewing programs. Registration for crane tours is required and opens in early January for Audubon, and November for Crane Trust. Free, public viewing sites are available.
More info: https://rowe.audubon.org/
Monte Vista Crane Festival | Monte Vista, Colorado; March 6-8, 2026
Hosted by Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges, this 3-day festival draws in over 1,500 people and offers opportunities to view the spring migration of Sandhill Cranes, geese, and ducks flying against the towering peaks of the San Luis Valley. While crane evening roosting sites are closed to the public to prevent disturbance, participants can enjoy guided crane tours and exceptional wildlife viewing at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, Blanca Wetlands, Baca National Wildlife Refuge, and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge. There are also numerous speakers, workshops, and social gatherings, educational tables, merchandise for sale, plus a craft and nature fair. Registration opens in January.
More info: https://mvcranefest.org/
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival | Othello, Washington; March 20-22, 2026
Located in the beautiful Columbia Basin of Washington State, this festival draws in over 1800 people and offers the chance to see nearly 35,000 Sandhill Cranes, as well as ducks and geese as they journey north to their breeding grounds in Alaska. This festival offers a fantastic opportunity to observe the cranes up close, guided by local experts. Additionally, it provides social gatherings, workshops, and specialized tours that highlight the region's flora, fauna, and geology, along with engaging presentations and children’s programs. Registration opens in February.
Eckert Crane Days | Eckert, Colorado; March 21-22, 2026
This annual festival provides guided viewing opportunities during Spring migration of the Greater Sandhill Cranes at Fruitgrowers Reservoir in Hart’s Basin. The reservoir is an Audubon Designated Important Bird Area and a favorite bird-watching spot for the local and out of town birders. The festival is free and open to the public and generally hosts a speaker and coordinates with Western States Ranch who hosts a free public BBQ. Festival registration is not required.
Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival | Fairbanks, Alaska; August 2026
Celebrate tens of thousands of cranes as they gather at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge each fall. This multi-day celebration includes a trivia night, bird banding research demonstration, art classes, social gatherings including a Sandhill Crane seasonal brew, birding and photography workshops, nature walks, field trips, a workshop on Qigong crane forms and movements, a crane calling contest, and a documentary showing. No registration required and all events are free to the public.
Yampa Valley Crane Festival | Steamboat Springs, Colorado; September 3-6, 2026
This festival occurs during fall staging of cranes in the Yampa Valley of Northwest Colorado before the cranes migrate south, featuring events in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, and Craig, CO. The festival draws over 2500 people each year, hosting an impressive line-up of events and featuring guided crane viewings, bird and nature walks, a pontoon bird outing, a raptor show, documentary showings, several social events with opportunities to meet experts in the field, expert speakers, vendors and educational booths, crane merch, an art auction, films, crane and bird art, children and family activities, and more!
More info: https://coloradocranes.org/festival/
Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival | Teton Valley, Idaho; September 2026
This newer Sandhill Crane Festival is hosted by the Teton Regional Land Trust, celebrating the cranes that migrate from the Greater Yellowstone region to their fall pre-migration staging area in Teton Valley before continuing south for the winter. The festival features crane tours, a crane painting class, photography workshops with award-winning photographers, and a community celebration of cranes with educational booths, performances, artwork, food, and local brews. Registration for some activities is required.
Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival | Lodi, California; November 6-8, 2026
This festival, first held in 1997, is hosted by the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association, a nonprofit focused on promoting Sandhill Crane conservation in the California Delta and along the Pacific Flyway. This 3-day festival includes crane tours throughout the Delta and at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve, and TNC’s Staten Island, as well as bird outings by boat and by foot at the Mokelumne River, Cosumnes Nature Preserve, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, and Lodi Lake Nature Area. Also offered, are kayaking trips, art classes, musical groups, children’s programs, social gatherings, workshops, and speakers. Registration opens in September.
More info: https://lodisandhillcrane.org/
Celebration of Cranes | Sterling, Kansas; November 7-8
This festival celebrates the fall migration of birds through central Kansas- including millions of waterfowl and the massive Midcontinent population of Sandhill Cranes and Whooping Cranes from the Aransas Wood-Buffalo population. Visitors can attend speakers and the Cranes and Craft Brews event, and sign up for guided tours of Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, a crucial inland salt marsh and stopover point for these birds. Registration required.
Great Midwest Crane Fest | Baraboo, Wisconsin; November, 2026
Hosted annually by the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and the Aldo Leopold Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, visitors have the opportunity to view Sandhill Cranes as they roost on sandbars of the Wisconsin River from land that is owned by the family of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold. Visitors can also view and learn about every crane species in the world housed in enclosures at the ICF headquarters and learn about cranes in folklore and crane behavior from the ICF staff and volunteers. The festival also features social gatherings and presentations by staff and guest speakers, guided nature walks, wildlife demonstrations, a gift shop, documentary showings, and chances to explore wetlands, prairies, and agricultural fields for foraging Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes in between trips to country stores for apple products and Wisconsin cheese. Over 650 people attend this festival every year. Registration opens in August.
More info: https://greatmidwestcranefest.org/
Festival of the Cranes | San Antonio, New Mexico; December 2-6, 2026
Hosted annually by Friends of Bosque del Apache, the Festival of the Cranes is one of the largest single-species celebrations in North America, with over 1,000 registrants. This December festival offers nearly 90 events over 5 days, with activities including guided bird outings, crane tours and breathtaking photography opportunities at the beautiful Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, speakers, an opening reception and keynote speaker, a nature expo with educational displays, festival merchandise for sale, social gatherings, and workshops and classes focused on birding, nature journaling, photography, and drawing. Registration opens in October.
More info: https://friendsofbosquedelapache.org/
Tips to Plan Your Trip
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Crane behavior is predictable- The best spots to view cranes are in wetlands, crop fields, and river valleys in the spring, winter, and fall. Dawn “fly outs” are when cranes lift off of their evening roost site in the morning, and dusk “fly ins” are when cranes congregate in large numbers at their evening roost site. These areas often provide the best opportunities to view large groups of cranes, observe courtship dances, and hear their iconic bugling calls. Tours to these roost sites are usually offered at festivals to provide greater interpretation of the experience and minimize disturbance to the birds. During the day, cranes forage in fields and wetlands near their evening roost site. Use your car as a blind or watch from designated viewing areas.
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Practice quiet, safe, and respectful viewing etiquette- keep a safe distance from the cranes and follow the local guidelines and signage. Do not trespass on private land and stay on designated trails. Avoid sudden movement and loud noise when near the birds.
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Guided photography experiences are offered at most festivals, offering special access to prime crane viewing areas. They are generally reserved for festival days only.
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To maximize your experience, attend a few presentations and workshops focused on the local population of cranes and conservation efforts. The natural and cultural history of cranes is fascinating, so be sure to check out talks related to crane behavior and folklore.
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Take the opportunity to join a non-crane bird outing to learn about other local species that depend on the same ecosystems as cranes.
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Bring the right gear- warm clothes, binoculars, a camera, and walking shoes will help make your trip comfortable!
