Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
This four day festival is held either the first or second weekend of May – depending on the birds. Come enjoy four days of field trips, workshops, presentations, an art auction, and Shorebirds. There is plenty to do for serious birders and families. Come join the fun.
The event is sponsored by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges.
For more information: http://kachemakshorebird.org/
Kenai Peninsula Birding Festival
This festival is held the third weekend in May, with including a float trip on the Kenai River, a “Big Sit”, events for kids, and special guest speakers.
The event is sponsored by the Keen Eye Bird Club, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Kenai Chamber of Commerce, Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, Kenaitze Indian Tribe, and the Kenai Peninsula Tourism and Marketing Council.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kenai-Peninsula-Birding-Festival/111688202199649
Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival
This festival, held the first weekend in May, has plenty of shorebirds for the viewing. The Copper River Delta boosts the largest flocks of migrating Western Sandpipers in Alaska – several million. The four day event includes presentations, field trips, an art show, and plenty of shorebirds.
The festival is a partnership between the Cordova Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Forest Service Cordova Ranger District.
For more information: http://www.copperriverdeltashorebirdfestival.com/
Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival
This festival, established in 1997, focuses on the Lesser Sandhill Crane, which migrates through the Tanana Valley each year on their fall migration to the Lower 48 states. The festival offers bird walks, lectures, and workshops. The three-day festival is held the third weekend in August. This festival offers various opportunities for adults and children.
For more information: http://www.creamersfield.org/crane_festival.html
Yakatat Tern Festival
The mission of the festival is to: To highlight the extraordinary natural and cultural resources of Yakutat by establishing a festival celebrating Aleutian terns. The Yakutat area boasts the southernmost known and one of the largest breeding colonies of Aleutian terns within its range. It is the intent of this festival to support, unify, and educate the community by promoting ecotourism.
The festival is held the first weekend in June.
For more information: http://yakutatternfestival.org/index.htm
Stikine River Birding Festival
For more information: http://www.wrangell.com/birdingfestival
Ketchikan Hummingbird Festival
This month long festival celebrates the return of the migratory birds, including the Rufous hummingbird. The April festival includes guided hikes, lectures, juried art shows and children’s activities. All events are free and open to the public.
For more information:
Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
This festival, generally held the second week in November, celebrates the American Bald Eagle. Each fall, up to 3,000 Bald Eagles come to Haines Alaska to feast on a late run of chum and Coho salmon in the Chilkat River. The week-long festival include eagle viewing (great photographic opportunities), programs, bird walks, and a winter bazaar.
For more information: https://baldeagles.org/alaska-bald-eagle-festival/about/
Upper Tanana Migratory Bird Festival
The Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge offers an annual festival in May. Each year’s theme corresponds to the International Migratory Bird Day theme. Activities include a bird tours, bird banding demonstrations, and family oriented activities held in Tok, Alaska.
For more information contact: (907) 883-5312 or tetlin@fws.gov
Bird TLC – Gone with the Wing Festival
The Bird Treatment and Learning Center offers the “Gone with the Wing” festival, Anchorage’s fall bird festival. The festival, held on the Bird TLC’s property above Potter Marsh (Anchorage, Alaska), is a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration of birds, wildlife, and the outdoors. Activities include live education with eagles, owls, hawks, falcons, and corvids and other songbirds. In addition to live birds, there are arts and craft activities for people of all ages, food trucks (yum!), live music, a bird calling contest, and educational booths (learning more about science, wildlife, and outdoor recreation).
For more information: http://www.birdtlc.org/events/