International Festival of Owls

Friday, March 6, 2026 (programs at the International Owl Center)
11:00: Program with a live owl: “” at International Owl Center*
2:00: Program with a live owl: “” at International Owl Center*
6:30: All Ages Owl Prowl bus trip (pre-registration required, meet at the Houston Nature Center)
6:30: Adult-Only Owl Prowl bus trip (pre-registration required, meet at the Houston Nature Center)
*Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for ages 4-17

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  – by Illinois Raptor Center +
10:00 – 3:00 Lunch/Concessions in cafeteria +
10:00 – 4:00: Visit the International Owl Center & gift shop, live owls on display (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 – 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

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  – by Illinois Raptor Center- by Illinois Raptor Center +
10:00 – 1:00 Lunch/Concessions in cafeteria +
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:  Visit the International Owl Center & gift shop, live owls on display (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 – 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

Other fun things to do in Houston
–Parade of Owls art tour of 11 public owl sculptures around town
–Street banners featuring kids owl art from around the world
–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)