The 2024 Festival

February 22–25, 2024

Each year since 1996, the Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas, Texas has celebrated the annual return of the cranes to their wintering habitat at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. In 2024, the festival is back and ready to celebrate its 27th anniversary!

The four-day event will feature renowned speakers, birding trips, boating trips, nature tours, photography workshops, a trade show, and much more.

Get Tickets Here!

Whoop it up!

Every winter, Whooping Cranes make the long journey from northwestern Canada and central Wisconsin to winter along the Gulf Coast of Texas and a few other southeastern parts of the United States. Standing five feet tall and boasting a wingspan of 7.5 feet, they are quite a majestic sight. Nearing extinction in 1942, there were less than 25 Whooping Cranes in the world. Named after their “whooping” sound, an estimated 536 Whooping Cranes wintered in Texas in 2022 and 2023 returning to their favorite warm vacation spot every year. After an interesting courtship dance and a distinct duet, Whooping Cranes settle down with their partner and mate for life. Port Aransas is a winter spot for a family of Whoopers that can be seen in the marshlands of the Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture or at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center snatching up blue crabs or other crustaceans and small fish.

Click here for the 2024 Whooping Crane Festival Schedule.