London 
The highly anticipated 2026 Festival of Hawks is all set to return to Holiday Beach Conservation Area in Amherstburg this weekend.
The festival, which kicks off at 9 am on both days, offers visitors a golden opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of thousands of birds of prey migrating overhead. This phenomenon has bestowed the area with the prestigious recognition of a globally significant Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2000.
Experts from HBMO will be stationed at the hawk tower throughout the weekend, leading bird counts, banding hummingbirds and hawks, and releasing newly tagged birds back into the wild. Families can also expect interactive displays, nature hikes, and kid-friendly crafts.
What to See & Do During Festival of Hawks
“There’s something happening all day long at the Festival of Hawks,” organizers say, and the schedule backs that up.
You can watch Canadian Raptor Conservancy free-flight demonstrations, visit the Hawk Tower for bird counts and banding, explore the Vendor and Education Village, or test your knowledge with Environmental Jeopardy.
Families can also try nature discovery activities, a conservation area scavenger hunt and children’s programming. Bring binoculars, sunscreen, water, a camera and comfortable footwear for the day outdoors at Holiday Beach.
See Raptors Take Flight
One of the big draws is the Canadian Raptor Conservancy’s live bird of prey shows. You can catch them from 10 to 11 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Each demonstration features five different raptors, including at least three free-flying birds, with handlers explaining their flight styles and characteristics as they go.
Head Up to the Hawk Tower
At the Hawk Tower, Holiday Beach Migration Observatory volunteers will be counting migrating birds, identifying raptors and conducting hawk and hummingbird banding. You may also get a close look at banded songbirds and learn about symbolic wildlife adoptions.
Take a Guided Nature Walk
You can start both mornings with birder and wildlife photographer Jeremy Bensette from 9 to 10 a.m. Butterfly hikes with Paul Desjardins follow from noon to 1 p.m. On Sunday, the Windsor Feminist Bird Club leads a 2 p.m. walk looking for raptors and other fall migrants.
Learn, Play and Grab Lunch
Environmental Jeopardy runs from 9 to 10 a.m. both days, with questions covering climate change, pollution, water and green solutions. Correct answers earn $2 in vendor bucks. Scotty’s BBQ will also be serving lunch-friendly barbecue, chips and a drink for under $10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Stay After Dark for an Owl Prowl
Saturday does not have to end when the daytime festival closes. At 7:30 p.m., ERCA hosts an Evening Owl Prowl with a guided hike focused on southwestern Ontario owls. It is recommended for ages seven and older, and spaces are limited, so pre-registration is required.
Make a Weekend of Your Trip
If you are already heading to Holiday Beach, you can easily turn the trip into a full Amherstburg weekend. Amherstburg Uncommon runs downtown from September 18 to 20, bringing steampunk, wizard-themed fun, street performers, art, food vendors, costume contests and family activities to the town. Saturday also features a Witches Dance and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
So you can spend part of the weekend watching migrating raptors at Holiday Beach, then head into Amherstburg for something completely different.
More Things to Do at Amherstburg.
Festival of Hawks at Holiday Beach
Holiday Beach Observation Tower/Essex Region Conservation
When: September 19 & 20, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Bird of Prey Shows: Saturday and Sunday | 10am to 11am and 12pm to 1pm
- Information Booths – Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 3pm
- Just Fishin’ Friends – Fish at the Trout Pond: Saturday only | 10am to 2pm
- Scotty’s BBQ: Saturday and Sunday | 10am to 3pm
- Guided Hikes:
- Bird Hike with Jeremy Bensette: Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 10am
- Butterfly Hike with Paul Desjardins: Saturday and Sunday | 12pm to 1pm
- Raptor and fall Migrants Afternoon Hike: Sunday only | 2pm to 3pm
- Classroom Presentations
- Environmental Jeopardy with Unifor Local 444: Saturday and Sunday | 9am to 10am
- Accipiters, Falcons, Buteos, Oh My! Identifying hawks in flight: Saturday and Sunday | 1pm to 2pm
- Protecting and expanding Natural Heritage in Windsor-Essex Region: Saturday only | 2pm to 3pm
- Evening Owl Prowl with Essex Region Conservation Authority: Saturday only | 7:30pm – Registration Required
Where: Holiday Beach Conservation, 6952 50 Cr, Amherstburg, ON N0R 1G0
How much: $20 per car
