Happening at this year’s 37th Annual Festival of the Cranes!
December 2nd – 5th, 2026
Immerse yourself in an awe-inspiring experience as thousands of sandhill cranes, snow geese, ducks, and a myriad of other migratory birds return to the beautiful Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
This year’s Festival will be co-hosted at the City of Socorro Convention Center and Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and will include:
Over 85 unique birding and photography workshops, tours, hikes and more!
Opening Night Celebration *Sponsored by Hunts Photo and Video*, Wednesday December 2nd, with prizes, a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and opening keynote “Saving cranes and so much more: our 10-year vision for cranes, communities, and our natural heritage” by Dr. Rich Beilfuss, President & CEO of the International Crane Foundation
Annual Dinner & Keynote Speaker, Thursday December 3rd: “Into Whooperland” by Michael Forsberg, conservation photographer, author, and educator
Camera & Optics Expo Tent at Bosque del Apache including camera and optics rentals
Camera & Optics Expo Hours:
Wed 2nd – 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Thurs 3rd, Fri 4th, Sat 5th – 10:00am – 3:00pm
Nature Fair at the Socorro Convention Center, including local handmade goods, conservation partners, and nature-inspired gifts.
Nature Fair Expo Hours:
Fri 4th and Sat 5th – 10:00am – 4:00pm
Tours of local attractions and partners such as Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, the Very Large Array, Salinas Pueblo Missions, and Bernardo Wildlife Management Area.
Schedule will be available September 2026
Registration opens October 2026!
“Crane Season” Macey Sigaty, 2026 Festival of the Cranes Art Contest Winner
Photo by Doug Coombs
Still planning a trip to Bosque del Apache this winter?
There’s still plenty to do in Socorro County! Many of our community partners host events to coincide with the Festival of the Cranes. Those events are still happening! If you’re looking for activities, make sure you check out our Area Events and Attractions page. It’s filled with lots of fun and FREE activities in the area like the Fiber Arts Guild of Socorro County’s quilt show, the Socorro County Arts’ Arts and Crafts Fair, as well as the annual Socorro Fireman’s Matanza, Electric Light Parade and luminaria walk.
To ensure you have a great trip to the area, make sure you check out our Virtual Welcome Packet. This packet has information on what to bring with you, as well as lodging and dining options in the area. There are maps of both the City of Socorro and Bosque del Apache.
Please note: Bosque del Apache is open 1 hour before sunrise until 1 hour past sunset every day of the year!
Our generous sponsors play a crucial role in making this year’s event a success. Sponsorship contributions help us to cover essential costs and provide a memorable experience for attendees, all while supporting the vital work of conserving our wetlands.
Friends of Bosque del Apache Board
The Friends are a model organization within the wildlife conservation community. We raise sufficient funds and support for Bosque del Apache to be able to maintain the level of conservation and leadership required to ensure that the wetlands and wildlife that they support are sustained.
City of Socorro
Socorro is home to a wide array of art, music, theater, golfing, biking, hiking, rock hounding and rock climbing opportunities, as well as, a rodeo and sports complex, wildlife refuges, radio telescopes, a mineral museum, university, historical mission church and an incredible performing arts series. The Friends of Bosque del Apache thanks the City of Socorro for their generous support through the Lodger’s Tax Fund.
OM SYSTEM
OM SYSTEM, formerly known as Olympus, specializes in durable, lightweight cameras designed for outdoor photography. With high-speed autofocus, excellent image stabilization, and pro-level lenses, OM SYSTEM is favored by bird, wildlife, and landscape photographers who need reliable gear in challenging conditions.
ZEISS
Enjoy the beauty of nature through the wonderful world of ZEISS optics! Creating some of the world’s finest binoculars and spotting scopes, ZEISS products deliver an unparalleled viewing experience for those who love birding and nature observation. Visit the our booth to meet the ZEISS team and learn more!
OPTICRON & FRONT RANGE BIRDING
Founded in 1970, Opticron has been supplying high-quality optics at reasonable prices to birders and nature enthusiasts in North America for the last 14 years. The company maxim “smaller, lighter, brighter, sharper” hold true in their Binoculars, Monoculars, Spotting Scopes, and Digiscoping accessories. Front Range Birding & Optics was one of our earliest retailers.
Food Industry Self Insurance Fund
Food Industry Self Insurance Fund (FISIF) began in 1989 as a not for profit fund which provides workers’ compensation coverage for New Mexico businesses in the food industry. We pride ourselves on being hands on regarding claims and customer service. We have clients throughout the state.
Golas Kitchen
Golas Kitchen is a boutique catering and hospitality company ran by a husband and wife team Michal Gola and Osiris Navarro. Services include, but are not limited to catering, event coordination, consultation. Together the two incorporate their cultures, travels, love for both the Northwest and Southwest, into creating perfectly curated events, with restaurant quality food with flavors from all over the world.
Hunt’s Photo & Video
Hunt’s maintains a well-stocked inventory of photo, video and digital imaging equipment from every major manufacturer so you’ll have plenty of options from which to choose. With eight retail locations in four New England states, Hunt’s offers an unbeatable combination of competitive pricing, sales know-how, and unparalleled customer service. Visit one of their eighth retail locations or order online!
Travel to Baytown, Texas
Travel to Baytown, Texas for an unmatched Gulf Coast birding experience. Positioned along two major migratory flyways, it offers incredible seasonal diversity as birds stop to rest along nearby coastal habitats. With easy access to top birding sites across the Houston region, it’s the perfect home base for out-of-state birders. Visit the Visit Baytown website to explore birding opportunities and hotel options.
SCOPE Health Council
Socorro County Options, Prevention, and Education (SCOPE) promotes healthy living, mental health, and substance misuse prevention education in Socorro County. We offer youth leadership, wellness activities, community supports, and inclusive events like Rainbow Café and Wellness Wednesday Movies—building resilience, connection, and wellness for all in Socorro County.