From Birds and Blooms · Emily Hannemann · · 1m 30s
A birding festival in the heart of Chicago
Three days of warbler kayaking, hawk watching and lakefront rides prove a big city is a real birding habitat.
In brief
Three days of warbler kayaking, hawk watching and lakefront rides prove a big city is a real birding habitat. You do not need a remote wilderness to bird well. Chicago's lakefront and parks pull in serious birds, and this festival hands you a guided way in for $30. Originally reported by Birds and Blooms.
Bird the Windy City
The Urban Birding Festival runs three days and pitches itself at every skill level, from first binoculars to lifelong lister. The draw is the habitat: a major city that birds move through.
“encourages birders of all skill levels to appreciate the nature and bird species in a unique habitat”
September 18 to 20, 2026
Mark the dates. The festival lands on a weekend in mid September, timed for the season when migration is moving through the Great Lakes.
Start at the nature museum
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is the main hub. Events spread out from there to Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Washington Park, McCormick Place and other spots around the city.
Kayaks, hawks and bikes
The schedule packs in nature walks, a hawk migration event, a warbler-focused kayaking trip, a boat tour, expert talks and a 5-mile bike ride along the lakefront.
Shop the vendor marketplace
A marketplace sells birding and nature goods, and puts you face to face with the event's sponsors. Good for gear questions you would rather ask a human.
Thirty dollars gets you in
General admission is $30 and proceeds go to the organizing groups. Some activities cost extra, so read the schedule first. There is no official hotel, and events run rain or shine.
“Bring appropriate attire for Chicago in September.”
The headline
You do not need a remote wilderness to bird well. Chicago's lakefront and parks pull in serious birds, and this festival hands you a guided way in for $30.
