Schedule At a Glance
February 19–22, 2026
Festival Dates & Times at the Port Aransas Civic Center:
Registration:
Thursday, Feb. 19: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 20: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22: 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Exhibit Fair:
Friday, Feb. 20: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Download the Schedule
The full 2026 Whooping Crane Festival schedule in an easy-to-print format!
Whooping Crane Festival Schedule 2026
Download your schedule here or pick up a copy at the Civic Center at 710 W. Avenue A during registration hours!
Day 1
- Fennessey Ranch Bus Tour
- 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Nature Preserve Tree Planting
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- This event is FREE!
- Island Birding Bus Tour
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Discover the Lighthouse Trails with Coastal Bend Kayak Tours
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Whooping Crane Boat Tour
- 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Explore Local Waterways
- 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Sunset Wine & Dolphin Cruise
- 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Welcome Reception
- 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Public Lecture Series with Andrew Orgill and Tess Kelly at UTMSI Patton Center
- 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: This event is FREE, and no reservations will be taken for spots. First come, first seated.
Day 2
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King Ranch Tour
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6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Whooping Crane Boat Tour
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7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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Explore Lamar Peninsula with Mikael Behrens
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7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Hop Aboard The R/V Katy for a Scientific Experience
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8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Photography Workshop with Ruth Hoyt
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8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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Speaker: Dr. Richard Beilfuss, International Crane Foundation
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9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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San Jose Island Beachcombing Excursion
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9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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Photographing Birds in Action Workshop with Kathy Adams Clark
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9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Wetlands Education Center Tour & Amos Rehabilitation Keep Presentation
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10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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- Discover the Lighthouse Trails with Coastal Bend Kayak Tours
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Speaker: Brittney Palode, International Crane Foundation
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10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Island Birding Bus Tour
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10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Explore Local Waterways
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12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
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Dances with Cranes Film Screening and Panel Discussion
- 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- This event is FREE!
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Wine, Whine, & Design
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1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Birds in Flight Photography Fieldtrip with Kathy Adams Clark
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2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Speaker: Jace Tunnell, Harte Research Institute
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3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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- Photography Lessons on the Water
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Sunset Wine & Dolphin Cruise
- 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Speaker: Michael Forsberg, Conservation Photographer
- 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Day 3
- King Ranch Tour
- 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fennessey Ranch Bus Tour
- 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Sunrise Beach Cleanup with the Dallas Zoo
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7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
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This event is FREE!
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- Whooping Crane Boat Tour
- 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Explore Lamar Peninsula with Mikael Behrens
- 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Hop Aboard The R/V Katy for a Scientific Experience
- 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Photography Workshop with Ruth Hoyt
- 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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Speaker: Dr. George Archibald, International Crane Foundation
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9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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Wetlands Education Center Tour & Amos Rehabilitation Keep Presentation
- 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Flight & Action at the Jetty Field Trip with Kathy Adams Clark
- 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Island Birding Bus Tour
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Discover the Lighthouse Trails with Coastal Bend Kayak Tours
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Speaker: Sara Zimorski, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
- 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Port Aransas Nature Preserve Guided Walking/Birding Tour
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Speaker: Andy Caven, International Crane Foundation
- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Candles, Cocktails and Conservation: A Candle-Making Class with Vida Caña Rum
- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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Moth Identification, Distribution and History with Kathy Adams Clark
- 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
- This event is FREE!
- Photography Lessons on the Water
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Speaker: Alain Salvi, European Crane Working Group
- 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Photographing Backlit Birds workshop and field trip with Jennifer Leigh Warner
- 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Sunset, Wine & Dolphin Cruise
- 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wine, Whine & Design
- 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Day 4
- King Ranch Tour
- 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Port Aransas Nature Preserve Guided Walking/Birding Tour
- 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Island Birding Bus Tour
- 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Whooping Crane Boat Tour
- 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Discover the Lighthouse Trails with Coastal Bend Kayak Tours
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.