2026 Schedule
Mar. 2-6: Medallion Hunt
Friday, March 6, 2026 (programs at the International Owl Center)
10:00 - 4:00: Live owls on display at the International Owl Center *
10:00 - 4:00: International children's owl art contest winners and 100+ staff picks on display, art cards for sale *#
10:00 - 4:00: Owl Center gift shop open *
11:00: "Identifying Northern Owls" by Jo Severson (a live owl will be brough out at the end) *
2:00: Houston 2nd grade singing "The Owl on the Hill", written by Marcia Sanoden under the direction of Mr. Duane Ledin *
2:20: "Landowner's Guide to Helping Owls" by Andie Harveaux (a live owl will be brought out at the end) *
6:30: All Ages Owl Prowl bus trip (*switched to an indoor program at the Owl Center due to rain*)
6:30: Adult-Only Owl Prowl bus trip (*switched to an indoor program at the Owl Center due to rain*)
*Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors/veterans/military, $6 for ages 4-17
#This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Saturday, March 7, 2026 (events at Houston High School unless otherwise noted) --this is the busiest day
Story Stroll:
8:00 - 11:00: Pancake Breakfast (Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, $10 ages 13 & up, $5 for ages 4-12)
9:00 - 4:30: Vendors & Face-painting & international children's owl art show (including art for sale) +#
9:30 - 10:30: Live Owl Program with Snowy Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl by Illinois Raptor Center +
10:00 - 6:00 Concessions in cafeteria (until 3:00ish) and Taco Lab outside until 6:00ish +
10:00 - 4:00: Live owls on display, international children's owl art contest winners & cards, full owl gift shop (International Owl Center) +#
10:30 - 2:30: Owl Nest Box Building and Owl Pellet Dissection ($55/box, $5/pellet) +
10:30 - 2:30: Kids' Crafts +
11:00 - 11:20: Short Meet an Owl program (International Owl Center, might be standing room only) +
12:30 - 1:15: Kids Owl Calling Contest +
2:00-2:20: Short Meet an Owl program (International Owl Center) +
3:00 - 4:00: Live Owl Program Daytime/nighttime counterparts: Great Horned Owl/Red-tailed Hawk and Eastern Screech-Owl/American Kestrel by Illinois Raptor Center +
4:30 - 4:45 PM: World Owl Hall of Fame award presentation +
4:45 - 5:45 PM: "Honoring Flaco: The Remarkable Story and Legacy of New York City's Beloved Owl" by David Lei and Jacqueline Emery +
5:45 PM Book signing: David Lei and Jacqueline Emery signing copies of "Finding Flaco"
+ Festival wristband required: $12/adult, $8 ages 4-17, members and ages 3 & under free. NOTE: no discounts or free passes accepted Saturday or Sunday
#This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Sunday, March 8, 2026 (events at Houston High School unless otherwise noted) --much less crowded than Saturday
Story Stroll:
8:00 - 12:00: Birding, Natural History & Geology bus trip (Meet at Houston Nature Center, pre-registration required)
9:00 - 2:00: Vendors & Face-painting & international children's owl art show (including art for sale)+#
9:30 - 10:30: Live Owl Program with Snowy Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl by Illinois Raptor Center- by Illinois Raptor Center +
10:00 - 2:00 Concessions in cafeteria (until 1:00ish) and Taco Lab outside +
10:30 - 2:00: Kids' Crafts +
10:30 - 12:30: Owl Nest Box Building and Owl Pellet Dissection ($55/box, $5/pellet) +
10:00 - 4:00: Live owls on display, international children's owl art contest winners & cards, full owl gift shop (International Owl Center) +#
11:00 - 11:20: Short Meet an Owl program (International Owl Center, might be standing room only) +
12:00: Alice the Great Horned Owl's hatch-day cake (free, until it's gone, high school cafeteria)
12:30 - 1:30: Live Owl Program Daytime/nighttime counterparts: Great Horned Owl/Red-tailed Hawk and Eastern Screech-Owl/American Kestrel by Illinois Raptor Center by Illinois Raptor Center +
2:00 - 3:00: "Voices in the Dark: Revealing the Hidden Lives of Eurasian Eagle Owls" by Marjon Savelsberg +
+ Festival wristband required: $12/adult, $8 ages 4-17, members and ages 3 & under free. NOTE: no discounts or free passes accepted Saturday or Sunday
#This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Other fun things to do in Houston
-Parade of Owls art tour of 12 public owl sculptures around town
-Street banners featuring kids owl art from around the world
-Houston Nature Center open Friday 3:30 - 6:30 PM, Saturday 12:00 - 4:00 and Sunday 12:00 - 4:00
-Historic Forsyth House open house, refreshments & kids' owl art Saturday March 7 from 10:00 - 4:00 (301 E Maple Street)
-Houston Area Museum open Saturday March 7 from 11:00 - 4:00 and Sunday March 8 from 1:00 - 4:00 (109 W Maple Street)
Mar. 2-6: Medallion Hunt
Friday, March 6, 2026 (programs at the International Owl Center)
10:00 - 4:00: Live owls on display at the International Owl Center *
10:00 - 4:00: International children's owl art contest winners and 100+ staff picks on display, art cards for sale *#
10:00 - 4:00: Owl Center gift shop open *
11:00: "Identifying Northern Owls" by Jo Severson (a live owl will be brough out at the end) *
2:00: Houston 2nd grade singing "The Owl on the Hill", written by Marcia Sanoden under the direction of Mr. Duane Ledin *
2:20: "Landowner's Guide to Helping Owls" by Andie Harveaux (a live owl will be brought out at the end) *
6:30: All Ages Owl Prowl bus trip (*switched to an indoor program at the Owl Center due to rain*)
6:30: Adult-Only Owl Prowl bus trip (*switched to an indoor program at the Owl Center due to rain*)
*Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors/veterans/military, $6 for ages 4-17
#This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Saturday, March 7, 2026 (events at Houston High School unless otherwise noted) --this is the busiest day
Story Stroll:
8:00 - 11:00: Pancake Breakfast (Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, $10 ages 13 & up, $5 for ages 4-12)
9:00 - 4:30: Vendors & Face-painting & international children's owl art show (including art for sale) +#
9:30 - 10:30: Live Owl Program with Snowy Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl by Illinois Raptor Center +
10:00 - 6:00 Concessions in cafeteria (until 3:00ish) and Taco Lab outside until 6:00ish +
10:00 - 4:00: Live owls on display, international children's owl art contest winners & cards, full owl gift shop (International Owl Center) +#
10:30 - 2:30: Owl Nest Box Building and Owl Pellet Dissection ($55/box, $5/pellet) +
10:30 - 2:30: Kids' Crafts +
11:00 - 11:20: Short Meet an Owl program (International Owl Center, might be standing room only) +
12:30 - 1:15: Kids Owl Calling Contest +
2:00-2:20: Short Meet an Owl program (International Owl Center) +
3:00 - 4:00: Live Owl Program Daytime/nighttime counterparts: Great Horned Owl/Red-tailed Hawk and Eastern Screech-Owl/American Kestrel by Illinois Raptor Center +
4:30 - 4:45 PM: World Owl Hall of Fame award presentation +
4:45 - 5:45 PM: "Honoring Flaco: The Remarkable Story and Legacy of New York City's Beloved Owl" by David Lei and Jacqueline Emery +
5:45 PM Book signing: David Lei and Jacqueline Emery signing copies of "Finding Flaco"
+ Festival wristband required: $12/adult, $8 ages 4-17, members and ages 3 & under free. NOTE: no discounts or free passes accepted Saturday or Sunday
#This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Sunday, March 8, 2026 (events at Houston High School unless otherwise noted) --much less crowded than Saturday
Story Stroll:
8:00 - 12:00: Birding, Natural History & Geology bus trip (Meet at Houston Nature Center, pre-registration required)
9:00 - 2:00: Vendors & Face-painting & international children's owl art show (including art for sale)+#
9:30 - 10:30: Live Owl Program with Snowy Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl by Illinois Raptor Center- by Illinois Raptor Center +
10:00 - 2:00 Concessions in cafeteria (until 1:00ish) and Taco Lab outside +
10:30 - 2:00: Kids' Crafts +
10:30 - 12:30: Owl Nest Box Building and Owl Pellet Dissection ($55/box, $5/pellet) +
10:00 - 4:00: Live owls on display, international children's owl art contest winners & cards, full owl gift shop (International Owl Center) +#
11:00 - 11:20: Short Meet an Owl program (International Owl Center, might be standing room only) +
12:00: Alice the Great Horned Owl's hatch-day cake (free, until it's gone, high school cafeteria)
12:30 - 1:30: Live Owl Program Daytime/nighttime counterparts: Great Horned Owl/Red-tailed Hawk and Eastern Screech-Owl/American Kestrel by Illinois Raptor Center by Illinois Raptor Center +
2:00 - 3:00: "Voices in the Dark: Revealing the Hidden Lives of Eurasian Eagle Owls" by Marjon Savelsberg +
+ Festival wristband required: $12/adult, $8 ages 4-17, members and ages 3 & under free. NOTE: no discounts or free passes accepted Saturday or Sunday
#This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Other fun things to do in Houston
-Parade of Owls art tour of 12 public owl sculptures around town
-Street banners featuring kids owl art from around the world
-Houston Nature Center open Friday 3:30 - 6:30 PM, Saturday 12:00 - 4:00 and Sunday 12:00 - 4:00
-Historic Forsyth House open house, refreshments & kids' owl art Saturday March 7 from 10:00 - 4:00 (301 E Maple Street)
-Houston Area Museum open Saturday March 7 from 11:00 - 4:00 and Sunday March 8 from 1:00 - 4:00 (109 W Maple Street)
For screen readers: Festival event locations are as follows. Owl Center, 126 East Cedar Street. High School, 306 West Elm Street. Trailhead Park 215 West Plum Street. Lutheran Church, 210 South Chase Street. Restaurants in Houston: Barista's Coffee, 110 North Grant Street. River Valley Convenience, 103 East Cedar Street. BP and Houston Food Mart, Highway 16 East. SubZero Pizza, 210 East Cedar Street. JT's Bar and Grill, 125 East Cedar Street.
Please note: The International Owl Center uses photos and video from the International Festival of Owls for promotional materials. By attending the festival, you consent to be photographed and/or recorded and allow your image to be used for the International Owl Center's promotional or educational purposes without financial compensation.
Header: Fluff Ball Brothers (c) Preston Hone
The 2026 international festival of owls is made possible by:
Major Sponsors
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Houston Public Schools
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Elizabeth Callender King Foundation
* Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation |
$1,000 Great Gray Owl Enthusiasts
Tricia Jacobs and Family
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$500 Great Horned Owl Advocates
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$250 Barred Owl Contributors
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Houston Lions
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The International Festival of Owls would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.
Please contact us for information on having your business or organization become a sponsor, and please patronize our sponsors.
Many thanks are due to our prize donors and the army of volunteers that make this event possible.
Please contact us for information on having your business or organization become a sponsor, and please patronize our sponsors.
Many thanks are due to our prize donors and the army of volunteers that make this event possible.