The 37th annual Festival of the Cranes takes place December 2–5, 2026, at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and the Socorro Convention Center. The four-day event combines winter wildlife viewing with more than 85 birding and photography workshops, tours, hikes, and other activities.
Ruidoso birders and photographers do not have to travel far to see one of New Mexico’s great winter wildlife spectacles. Each year, thousands of sandhill cranes, snow geese, ducks, and other migratory birds spend the winter at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Festival highlights include an opening celebration featuring Dr. Rich Beilfuss, president and CEO of the International Crane Foundation, and the annual dinner with conservation photographer, author, and educator Michael Forsberg.
Photographers and birders have the chance to check out equipment, with camera and optics rentals available during the Camera & Optics Expo at Bosque del Apache. The Nature Fair at the Socorro Convention Center will feature local handmade goods, conservation partners and nature-inspired gifts.
For many visitors, the highlight requires no scheduled program. At dawn, sandhill cranes leave the refuge ponds during the morning fly-out, their loud, distinctive calls carrying across the refuge as groups of birds take to the sky. Thousands of snow geese and Ross’s geese also join the morning activity. At dusk, the fly-in brings the cranes back to the ponds as daylight fades.
Visiting Bosque del Apache from Ruidoso
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is about 100 miles west of Ruidoso, about a two-hour drive. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service directs visitors coming from the north to take Interstate 25 south to exit 139 at San Antonio, go a quarter mile east on US 380 to the flashing signal, then turn south on Highway 1 to the Visitor Center.
The relatively short drive makes the Festival of the Cranes an option for a Ruidoso day trip, although seeing the morning fly-out requires an early start. Refuge lands are open daily from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The approximately 12-mile Auto Tour Loop provides access to wetlands and wildlife viewing areas.
The complete 2026 Festival of the Cranes schedule is expected in September, with registration opening in October.
Read the comprehensive 2026 Festival of the Cranes guide for more information about festival events, wildlife viewing, photography, and planning a visit to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Posted by Ruidoso.com
