Some of the best and longest-standing Birding Festivals take place during November! Although the number of birding festivals winds down as the holidays approach, some of the best birding fests will draw birders to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, the Chilkat Valley in Alaska, and the Central Valley of California. Similarly, migration concentrations of cranes and swans will bring birders and community members to birding festivals in Wisconsin, Kansas, and northern California to celebrate birds and birding, shared with participants that range from every age to every level of interest in birds.
Each birding fest is unique and while some take place for part of a single day, some continue for several days and offer a variety of activities for participants, but each birding festival is truly unique, and worthy of attention and attendance. With activities ranging from ever-popular guided birding walks to field trips to nearby birding hotspots with skilled local guides, to bird photography workshops and a variety of presentations by interesting speakers.
There are children's activities and family fun too, and best of all, you have the chance to meet and enjoy spending time with others who share your enthusiasm for birds and birding. Larger birding festivals often feature representatives that can help you shop for binoculars, spotting scopes, field guides and books, T-shirts, and more that may even include food vendors.
To learn more about each of November's birding festivals, you can refer to the helpful links provided below:
November 6 and 7 – Kansas – Kansas Crane Festival, Audubon of Kansas, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Sterling, Kansas; see Kansas Crane Festival
November 6 to 8 – Alaska – Alaska Bald Eagle Festival, Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, Haines, Alaska; see Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
November 11 to 15 – Texas – Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, Harlingen, Texas; see Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival - 2026 FESTIVAL INFORMATION
November 13 to 15 – California – California Swan Festival, Sterling, California; see California Swan Festival
November 14 and 15 – Wisconsin – Great Midwest Crane Fest, International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, Wisconsin; see Great Midwest Crane Fest 2026 – Celebrating Community and Conservation
November 19 to 22 – California – Central Valley Birding Symposium, Stockton, California; see Central Valley Birding Symposium 2026 – Central Valley Bird Club