The 37th annual Festival of the Cranes takes place December 2–5, 2026, at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and the Socorro Convention Center.
Each winter, thousands of sandhill cranes, along with large flocks of snow geese, ducks, and other migratory birds, gather at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
The annual Festival of the Cranes offers Four Corners birders, photographers, and nature lovers a chance to experience this seasonal wildlife spectacle along with four days of special programs.
The festival will feature more than 85 birding and photography workshops, tours, hikes, and other activities. Featured speakers include Dr. Rich Beilfuss, president and CEO of the International Crane Foundation, and conservation photographer, author, and educator Michael Forsberg.
You can also attend the Camera & Optics Expo at Bosque del Apache and the Nature Fair at the Socorro Convention Center. Festival tours are planned to other New Mexico destinations, including Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, the Very Large Array, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, and Bernardo Wildlife Management Area.
During the morning fly-out, groups of sandhill cranes leave the refuge ponds, their distinctive calls carrying across the water as they take to the sky. Thousands of snow geese and Ross’s geese add to the spectacle. At dusk, the fly-in brings the cranes and geese back to the refuge ponds for the night.
Visiting Bosque del Apache from the Four Corners
For travelers based in Farmington, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is about a four- to four-and-a-half-hour drive south. The distance makes an overnight trip a practical choice, particularly if you want to reach the refuge before sunrise for the morning fly-out.
Refuge lands are open daily from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The approximately 12-mile Auto Tour Loop provides access to wetlands and wildlife viewing areas, with places to stop for birding and photography.
The complete 2026 Festival of the Cranes schedule is expected in September, with registration opening in October.
Plan your trip with the comprehensive 2026 Festival of the Cranes guide, including information about events, birding, photography, and visiting Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
