Due to the special weather statement, tickets pre-purchased for Sunday’s event will also be honoured on Saturday
Keep your eyes to the sky!
Saturday, Sept 19th & Sunday, Sept 20th
9am - 3pm both days
Experience one of North America's most spectacular bird migrations at the Festival of Hawks. Each fall, thousands of hawks, eagles, falcons, and other birds of prey pass over Holiday Beach Conservation Area, creating one of Canada's premier wildlife viewing experiences. Holiday Beach is recognized as one of North America's premier hawk-watching destinations. Located along a major migration corridor, the area provides exceptional opportunities to observe thousands of raptors during their annual southbound migration. At the festival, discover guided hikes, live bird of prey demonstrations, expert presentations, family activities, and opportunities to observe migration overhead.
Festival at a Glance
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Dates: September 19 and 20, 2026
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Time: gates open at 9:00 AM – festival ends at 3:00 PM
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Location: Holiday Beach Conservation Area
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Admission: $20 per vehicle, per day
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Included: Live bird shows, guided hikes, presentations, exhibits, vendor village, hawk count viewing, children's activities. Visit the classroom for a conservation cup of coffee, pay by donation.
There's something happening all day long at the Festival of Hawks! Visit the Vendor & Education Village to meet local conservation organizations, nature groups, environmental educators, and community partners. Enjoy interactive displays, wildlife education, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to learn more about birds, migration, and conservation in our region.
Also available throughout the day:
Food Vendors
Wildlife adoptions
Live Bird Banding
Birds of Prey Shows
Nature-themed
Workshops
Expert-led
Hikes
Family
Activities
Education and Vendor Village
Plan your visit
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Parking is included with admission. There are designated parking zones. Please let the parking attendant know if you require accessible parking.
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Cash/debit/credit accepted at the gate house for admissions.
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What to bring: binoculars, sunscreen, water bottle, camera, comfortable footwear.
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Daily admission to the festival is $20 per vehicle on each of Saturday and Sunday (September 19 and 20) and includes all walks, talks and activities that are part of the Festival Program This allows everyone in your vehicle to access the conservation area for the festival on that day.
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Seasonal Pass Holders: Admission to this and other ERCA special events is included with your Seasonal Pass! Use your gate card or present it to gate attendant. Guests can enter the park with their Key Card or receipt of purchase if the pass was purchased in early September at the gate.
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Purchase your 2026 seasonal pass (valid for 1 year from time of purchase) for $80 a year (plus key card fee for new pass holders) here: Seasonal Passes | ERCA
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Parks Canada or Ontario Parks passes are not applicable.
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Festival organizers recommend service animals only at the Festival of Hawks to reduce stress on banded/adopted birds (barking dogs can startle the birds). If you must bring your pet, it must be on a short leash and well-controlled. As in all conservation areas, owners must pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.
Maple Trail Guide
Part of The Maple Syrup Festival
Visit stops along the #MapleTrail to discover more maple-inspired goodness that local businesses have prepared for you to enjoy!
ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION BOOTHS
Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) Festival Headquarters
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
For all guest experience inquiries visit the ERCA event tent in the vendor village by the beach washrooms. Learn more about our programs and volunteer opportunities this fall. This booth also includes multiple hands on nature discovery activities, the festival lost and found bin, printed schedules, first aid resources, a Conservation Area scavenger hunt, and serves as the hike meeting spot. Visit the classroom for a conservation cup of coffee, pay by donation.
John R. Park Homestead Gift Shop
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
The John R. Park Homestead is a conservation area along the Lake Erie shoreline, just 18km east of Holiday Beach, that takes visitors back to the 1850s. The house and farm buildings of John and Amelia Park are restored to bring the nineteenth century to life. There will be old fashioned toys and a pop-up gift shop from the Homestead to peruse this year at the festival.
Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO)
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
HBMO Hawk Watchers will be at the Hawk Tower conducting hummingbird and hawk banding, identifying raptors and any birds flying overhead, actively counting birds overhead and offering symbolic adoptions! HBMO will have an information stand at the base of the Tower and opportunities to see songbirds close up that have been banded.
Unifor Local 444
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
Stop by the Unifor Local 444 booth and meet some of the dedicated members championing environmental stewardship and community engagement across the region. Festival visitors can pick up free milkweed and wildflower seed balls, as well as seed packets, generously provided by Leo Silvestri, Windsor Assembly, Unifor Local 444, and Unifor Local 200.
Unifor Local 444 is also the proud sponsor of the Canadian Raptor Conservancy's live Birds of Prey presentations, offered free of charge to all festival attendees.
While visiting the booth, be sure to purchase tickets for the Haunted History of King's Navy Yard, a special fundraising event taking place on Saturday, September 26. Tickets are $20 per person and quantities are limited. Proceeds from ticket sales help support the sponsorship of the Canadian Raptor Conservancy's live bird shows at the Festival of Hawks.
ERCA Water Quality Team
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
ERCA’s Water Quality team will be on hand to discuss aquatic life and water quality in watersheds in the Essex Region. They will have hands-on demonstrations to help participants understand how water moves across land and how we can minimize our impacts on downstream water bodies. They will also have information about ERCA’s very successful agricultural stewardship programs! Find their tent at the Hawk Tower.
Detroit River Canadian Cleanup
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) will be hosting a booth that highlights the ongoing restoration of the Detroit River, with a particular focus on the fish species that call it home. Visitors will learn about the importance of safe fish consumption through our interactive fishing game, which teaches children how to Eat Safe Fish. Additional displays and materials will showcase key accomplishments from the past year, current habitat restoration projects, and opportunities for community members to get involved in protecting and enhancing the Detroit River.
Ocean Artistic
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
Ocean Artistic is a local Windsor artist who specializes in cute style animal illustrations and paintings. She sells a variety of animals on stickers, stationary, apparel and paintings!
Native Trees and Plants Nursery (NTP)
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
NTP specializes in trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers and water plants that are native to the Carolinian Zone of Southern Ontario. Visit their booth to purchase exclusively native plants to your garden this fall!
Just Fishin' Friends - Fish at the Trout Pond
Saturday only | 10am to 2pm
Join Just Fishin’ Friends at the Trout Pond and try your hand at casting, dropping, and reeling in a catch! Fishing will be catch and release. Children twelve and under can fish license free. Those eighteen and older must have a fishing license issued by the Ontario Government to participate.
Scotty's BBQ
Saturday and Sunday | 10am to 3pm
Enjoy a variety of lunch friendly BBQ options, chips, and a drink for under $10!
The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Saturday only | 9am to 3pm
The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary was started in 1904 when Jack decided to buy a few tames geese from the neighbour and place them in one of the ponds he created. It took a few years but the tamed geese attracted wild geese to land and from there the sanctuary was created. After banding his first mallard duck in 1909, he tagged well over 100,000 ducks and geese which carry with them his legacy. Meet the team, and learn more about the ongoing dedication to the conservation legacy of Jack Miner, the sanctuary for migratory birds and their outreach and education programs.
Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club (ECFNC))
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club is a non-profit, open-to-the-public volunteer organization that focuses on promoting the conservation and restoration of the diverse natural heritage of Essex County and the surrounding region. Visit their booth to learn about club activities, meet dedicated members and purchase some camp mugs, bird friendly coffee and a variety of books published locally!
Pelee Wings Outfitters
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
Pelee Wings is a must see and visit for birders and naturalists, and everyone who enjoys nature as a part of their lifestyle. Visit them at the Festival of Hawks!
Friends of Tecumseh Forests
Saturday only | 9am to 3pm
The Friends of Tecumseh Forests is a grassroots environmental organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and advocating for the urban trees and woodlots in Tecumseh, Ontario, and the greater Essex County region. Visit their booth to meet the dedicated members advancing biodiversity and forest conservation in the Town of Tecumseh and beyond!
Canada South Land Trust
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
The Canada South Land Trust is a registered charitable organization. Their mission is to preserve natural areas in the City of Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island for future generations. Visit their booth to learn more about their conservation work in the region.
Robert Bishop Artwork
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
Robert Bishop is a gifted, self-taught artist who has lived in the Windsor, Ontario area all of his life. Even though he is color blind, he is able to find his way to master the vibrant colors he uses in his acrylic paintings. Visit Robert's booth where he will be featuring his special paintings of wildlife, nature subjects and more!
Windsor and Essex County Plein Air Artists
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
Watch artists painting “in the open air” capturing scenes at Holiday Beach!
Ontario Purple Martin Association
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
Visit the Ontario Purple Martin Association booth to learn about the largest swallow in North America!
HIKES THROUGH THE PARK
Meet your hike leader at the ERCA tent/festival headquarters at the vendor village in front of the beach washroom.
Bird Hike with Jeremy Bensette
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 10am
Jeremy Bensette is an experienced naturalist, a dedicated and passionate birder, a wildlife photographer and serious about conservation in the Windsor-Essex region. He is a resident birder locally, set Ontario’s Big Year birding record in 2017 with 346 species, holding that title until late 2022. He is a member of Swarovski Optik field team and is a guide through Pelee Birding Tours (founded by him). Join him on an unforgettable hike through Holiday Beach’s diverse habitats to learn about birds, listen for them and see them. Following his hike, join Jeremy at the Hawk Tower for the rest of the festival, he has some binoculars and spotting scopes to share!
Raptor and fall Migrants Afternoon Hike
Sunday only | 2pm to 3pm
Join Windsor Feminist Bird Club (FBC) for a walk around Holiday Beach in search of raptors and other fall migrants!
Windsor FBC focuses on providing an inclusive space in birding for women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ folks, but everyone is welcome! There will be a limited number of spare binoculars available to borrow during the walk. Windsor is one of many FBC chapters around the world. To find out more follow us on Instagram @windsor.fbc or visit feministbirdclub.org”
Butterfly Hike with Paul Desjardins
Saturday and Sunday | 12pm to 1pm
Wing your way through the Conservation Area with Paul Desjardins on a butterfly hike. Discover the fascinating species that call Holiday Beach home. Suitable for all ages.
PORTABLE CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS
Environmental Jeopardy with Unifor Local 444
Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 10am
Put your environmental knowledge to the test with Environmental Jeopardy, an interactive game that is fun for all ages! Questions range from easy to challenging, but don't worry—we like to guide participants toward the answers, making it a fun learning experience for everyone.
Earn $2 in vendor bucks for every correct answer, redeemable with participating festival vendors. With $100 in prizes available during each session, there are plenty of opportunities to win while learning about environmental issues that affect our communities.
Jeopardy Categories:
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Climate Change
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Water
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Pollution
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The 5Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle)
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Green Solutions
There's no limit to the number of questions you can answer or the amount of vendor bucks you can win, so join in, learn something new, and see how much you can earn!
Accipiters, Falcons, Buteos, Oh My! Identifying hawks in flight
Saturday and Sunday | 1pm to 2pm
Learn about hawk identification in flight, hosted by Holiday Beach Migration Observatory.
Protecting and expanding Natural Heritage in Windsor-Essex Region
Saturday only | 2pm to 3pm
Presented by members of Canada South Land Trust (CSLT) discussing the critical need to protect and expand Windsor-Essex's natural spaces and corridors.
ACTIVITIES REQUIRING PRE-REGISTRATION
Evening Owl Prowl with Essex Region Conservation Authority
Saturday only | 7:30pm
Join us to learn about the owls of southwestern Ontario, their adaptations, physiology and more. Then, enjoy a guided hike through Holiday Beach Conservation Area, looking and listening for these majestic birds of prey. Due to the nature of this event, it is best suited for guests aged 7 and up. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees should remember to dress for the weather. Sturdy footwear is recommended; flashlights are not necessary. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required. Register early to avoid disappointment. Please plan to arrive at the park 10 to 15 minutes ahead of the event start time to drive to the classroom, park and check-in.
REGISTRATION LINK: Owl Prowl (Festival of Hawks) | ERCA
LIVE BIRD OF PREY SHOWS
Canadian Raptor Conservancy
Saturday and Sunday | 10am to 11am and 12pm to 1pm
We are delighted to offer four free live bird of prey shows at this year's Festival of Hawks provided by the Canadian Raptor Conservancy! Thank you to the generous sponsorship from Unifor Local 444, guests can see a show in the main festival area in front of the beach washroom at 10am to 11am and again at 12pm to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday!
The Canadian Raptor Conservancy performs live, Free-Flight Demonstrations across Canada at select events throughout the year. The team performs over 1000 presentations per year and reach an audience of over 1 million people. The demonstrations include birds that are trained for free flight, as each different bird is unique in its own appearance and flight styles. As each bird is flying, the handler/interpreter gives an educational commentary about each one. Each demonstration includes 5 different raptors from around the world, including at least 3 free-flying birds. Meet their team of professional demonstration birds, who have performed at schools, fairs, and festivals across Canada. Many of the birds are also the stars of Hollywood productions and have appeared numerous times on television!