DECATUR-The Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association (WWRA) invites bird enthusiasts and nature lovers of all ages to celebrate the majestic winter migration of Sandhill Cranes, Whooping Cranes, and other wildlife at the 2026 Festival of the Cranes – the largest wildlife festival in north Alabama. Set for Jan. 9-11, 2026, the three-day event will offer a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for attendees of all ages, interests, and experience levels. Attendees can participate in activities at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (WNWR), the Princess Theatre, the Decatur Public Library, Cook Museum
of Natural Science, The Carnegie Visual Arts Center and the Alabama Center for the Arts in downtown Decatur.
Each winter, more than 20,000 Sandhill Cranes – along with approximately two dozen rare and endangered Whooping Cranes – flock to the refuge, making it a premier destination in the Southeast for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The cranes migrate to north Alabama from their summer breeding grounds in the Great Lakes region to take advantage of the plentiful water and mudflats, abundant habitat for feeding, and relatively undisturbed fields at WNWR. Festival-goers will have the rare opportunity to view these majestic birds up close, as well as ducks, geese, and other wildlife by visiting the WNWR Visitor Center, Observation Building, and Photo Blinds (3121 Visitor Center Road, Decatur, AL 35603) with roving naturalists available to help you during the festival. The Visitor Center buildings and grounds are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. during the winter, but special festival operating hours will extend that to include Sunday (1/11) and Monday (1/12) during the festival weekend.
Whether you’re an experienced birder, someone who appreciates nature, or a lifelong learner about the world around us, the Festival of the Cranes has something for everyone. Visitors can participate in a wide range of workshops, presentations, and exhibits that will deepen their understanding of birds and the natural environment. The event provides a fun, educational experience for families and anyone eager to learn more about the wildlife that calls Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge home.
The Festival will kick off on the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 9, with Hope the Whooping Crane mascot making appearances at the Cook Museum of Natural Science and the Decatur Public Library, followed by an entertaining comedy and musical performance from Grand Ole Opry regulars “The Cleverlys” at the Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts. The concert begins at 7 p.m., and tickets are available online at princesstheatre.org.
On Saturday and Sunday, The Alabama Center for the Arts’ Recital Hall and Visual Arts Building classrooms, and the Princess Theatre will host two jam-packed days filled with live animal presentations, presenters, films, art demonstrations and exhibits, family craft sessions, educational tables, and more. Among the presentations are the popular Wings to Soar live raptors, investigative journalist Lee Hedgepeth, conservation photographers and authors Michael Forsberg and Paul Bannick, falconer Dr. Lauren McGough, and a variety of crane experts from organizations that include the International Crane Foundation.
For a complete list of presenters and activities across all three locations, visit Festival of the Cranes 2026 (friendsofwheelernwr.org/foc-
Media Release/Emma Martin, Communications Director/Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Inc.
