The 2026 Bird & Nature Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating Madison Bird City, Arbor Day and Earth Day. See live birds by Open Door Bird Sanctuary and visit nature displays throughout the day. Plan 30-45 minutes for your visit anytime between 12 and 4 pm. Don't miss Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Executive Director, Alicia King, as the festival's featured speaker from 1-2pm!

All ages welcome
Free admission
Restrooms available
Free parking

Activities

• Featured Speaker: Alicia King with Wisconsin Society for Ornithology - 1:00 - 2:00pm
• Exhibits, talks, walks & hands-on kid's activities by nature organizations: International Crane Foundation, Madison Parks Ecology Team, Nature Conservancy, Citizen Climate Lobby, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, UW Geology, Bluebird Restoration, Purple Martin Association, Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Wild Warner, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, and more!
• Kids face painting
• Free kites to first 200 kids
• Free native wildflower seed bombs
• Music by local artists
• Live snakes and reptiles
• Free canoe paddling
• Free kids fishing
• Short guided bird and nature walks
• Eagle's nest viewing by telescope
• Food carts

See, Do, Explore! See birds of prey including a hawk and eagles up close with Open Door Bird Sanctuary! For information, visit the Madison Parks website.