Festival of Owls Week takes flight every year on the first weekend of March, celebrating the mystery and majesty of these nocturnal birds. From March 6-8, 2026, communities and enthusiasts gather for educational activities and shared stories. Discover local events, support owl conservation, and learn fascinating facts about these incredible creatures.
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History of Festival of Owls Week
To fully immerse yourself in this full owl appreciation festival a little backstory and perspective are needed on how and why it all began.
It all started when a very energetic bird named Alice met the very caring Karla Bloem. Alice was a three-week-old great horned owl living in Raptor rehabilitation center in Antigo. She was blown out of her nest and broke her left wing at the joint which caused her to permanently damage her nerves. Meanwhile, Karla was in search of a good education bird and an injured bird to feature at the Houston Nature Center. She eventually met Marge Gibson who at the time was in charge of the Raptor; she gave Alice to Bloem. When the two ran into each other at the center it was almost like fate had ordained it.
Alice was a big hit at the center, she has a big personality and slowly became part of not only Karla’s life but everyone at the nature center. So when Alice turned six, Karla started the Festival of Owls to celebrate her hatch day in March. Over the years the festival grew and gained traction from many owl enthusiasts and other bird watchers. Now people from all over the world try to take part in this day by sharing stories, and organizing fairs and contests for high schoolers to educate them on the powerful nocturnal bird.
Though this particular festival just recently started getting popular, the owls have been significant in historical folklore in different parts of the world for many years. In a lot of countries in Africa and the Middle East, the bird predicts bad tidings, gloom, and even death, whilst in other parts like old Siberia, China, and Greenland the bird has been said to be a symbol of good luck and fortune.
Festival of Owls Week timeline
The day celebrates Alice the great-horned owl.
Alice starts working at the International Owls Center but is now semi-retired.
The festival has a crowd of over 2,300 people which for Houston is a big deal.
The festival is held off until late spring so people can participate outdoors.
Festival of Owls Week FAQs
When is Festival of Owls Week?
Festival of Owls Week in 2027 will be observed from Friday, March 5, through Sunday, March 7. This annual celebration invites enthusiasts to learn and appreciate owls at the start of spring.
How many species of owls are there worldwide?
Globally, the number of distinct owl species hovers around 200, with new genetic research occasionally refining these classifications. Each species possesses unique adaptations for its specific environment.
How popular is birdwatching in the United States?
With tens of millions of participants each year, birdwatching remains one of the most popular nature-based hobbies in the U.S. Its accessibility and the joy of discovery contribute to its enduring appeal.
What makes owls unique among birds of prey?
Distinguishing owls from other birds of prey are their unique anatomical features, such as eyes fixed in their sockets (requiring them to turn their heads up to 270 degrees), asymmetrical ears for precise sound localization, and soft, serrated flight feathers for near-silent hunting.
Festival of Owls Week Activities
Engage the family
You can make it a bonding day experience with your families by building an owl nest box together. You can also get owl pellets and dissect them together.
Have an excursion
If you’re a student, a good way to get your school involved is by proposing a class field trip to a nearby bird conservatory in your town and spotting some owls. I’m sure there will be a lot of interesting information to learn about owls and how they live.
Have a contest
Engage your friends or colleagues to make a variety of owl crafts or costumes. You can even set up a vendor stall where people can buy owl-inspired merchandise, and enjoy a day eating owl-inspired food.
5 Intriguing Facts About Owls
They have a variety of species
There are over 200 different owl species and are found in various habitats except for Antarctica.
They are nocturnal
Owls are most active and awake at night time. They do this to avoid predators and heat.
They eat meat
Owls have powerful claws which help them catch and kill small prey like rats and squirrels.
They are camouflage masters
Owls almost always seem to pop out of nowhere because of the color of their feathers.
They have superpowers
Owls can rotate their necks a maximum of 270-degrees. Talk about birds of prey.
Why We Love Festival of Owls Week
It promotes conservation
There are a lot of superstitions around owls and for this reason, thousands of their kind have been killed over the years. This festival evokes a conversation of inclusion on this generally neglected and witch-hunted species.
It celebrates the species
As predators, owls prey on a large number of small rodents and other pests, thus playing a very important role in our ecological system. This directly affects the food supply as there are fewer food losses on farms.
It’s fun for the community
From storytelling to nature walks this festival is a good reason for our communities to come together for a like-minded reason. Craft contests, costumes, and interactive games are a great way to inspire creativity.
Festival of Owls Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | March 6–8 | Friday–Sunday |
| 2027 | March 5–7 | Friday–Sunday |
| 2028 | March 3–5 | Friday–Sunday |
| 2029 | March 2–4 | Friday–Sunday |
| 2030 | March 1–3 | Friday–Sunday |
