DECATUR, Ala. – Over 14,000 Sandhill Cranes, along with several pairs of Whooping Cranes, spend the winter each year at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (WNWR) in Decatur. In celebration of the winter migration of these long-legged and long-necked birds, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association hosts a three-day event offering a variety of indoor and outdoor activities appealing to people of all ages. The 2026 Festival of the Cranes will be held Jan. 9-11, with activities at WNWR, Princess Theatre, Cook Museum of Natural Science, Decatur Public Library and Alabama Center for the Arts.
Festival of the Cranes has become a popular event regardless of the festivalgoer’s birding experience. There are activities for experienced birders, for those with little to no birding knowledge and for anyone who would like to learn more about birding and other wildlife that call the Refuge home. During the three-day event, guests are invited to visit the WNWR Observation Building, located at 3121 Visitor Center Road, Decatur, AL 35603, to view thousands of Sandhill cranes along with several Whooping cranes, ducks, geese, raptors and perhaps a bald eagle from the comfort of the heated building. There are bleachers and spotting scopes available along with volunteers and staff standing by to answer questions. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring a camera and binoculars.
The Princess Theatre, Decatur Public Library, Cook Museum of Natural Science and Alabama Center for the Arts, all located in downtown Decatur, are also offering special presentations, speakers, make and take art activities, photography workshops and much more in conjunction with Festival of the Cranes. On Friday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Princess Theatre, there will be a special performance by The Cleverlys, a bluegrass and comedy cover band from the Ozark Mountains. Tickets may be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/CLEVERLYS2026. For a complete schedule of events for all four locations, visit www.friendsofwheelernwr.org/foc-2026.
For more information on the Festival of the Cranes, visit www.friendsofwheelernwr.org/foc-2026 or follow Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association – WWRA on Facebook for the latest updates.
