Bring the whole family and make a day of it! The 55th Waterfowl Festival is filled with things to see, hear and experience—from live birds and reptiles to working dogs, wildlife art, carving demonstrations and stories from the Eastern Shore. Here are three family-friendly stops to put on your Festival itinerary.
1. Make Voices of the Chesapeake Your Family Headquarters
If your family loves animals, Voices of the Chesapeake should be at the top of your list. The lineup offers a full day of wildlife, conservation, art and Eastern Shore storytelling. Located in the Avalon Theatre, the newest venue of the festival will be entertaining and educational!
Highlights include watching the Talbot Retriever Club demonstrate the teamwork and communication behind a well-trained retriever, followed by a visit from Nanjemoy Creek, featuring a magnificent Bald Eagle and a special surprise bird. Young nature lovers can then get up close with the fascinating reptiles and bay creatures of Assateague Scales and Tails.
The afternoon shifts from wildlife to culture and art, with a lively presentation of Outlaw Gunner, a conversation with the 2025 and 2026 Federal Duck Stamp Artists, and an appearance Waterfowl Festival, 40 S. Harrison Street, Easton, MD 21601 420-822-4567 waterfowlfestival.org by the Maryland Raptor Conservancy. It’s an easy place to spend an hour—or several—and come away with a whole new appreciation for the Chesapeake and the wildlife that calls it home. Full schedule on our website and digital map. Kids free with a paid adult!
2. Get Close to the Action at the Sportsman’s Pavilion Ready for something with a little more energy?
Head to Ducks Unlimited Landing and the Sportman’s Pavilion on Dutchman’s lane, where outdoor enthusiasts can explore conservation tables . shopping, and sporting exhibits before heading outside for DockDogs.
Watch dogs race down the dock and launch into the water in a splash-filled competition of distance and height. It’s one of those Festival experiences that’s just as entertaining for the youngest members of the family as it is for their parents.
3. Discover the Stories Behind the Art at the new Sporting Heritage Pavilion
The historic Waterfowl Building is the place to slow down and explore the stories behind the Festival’s art, sporting and conservation traditions. Inside, families can explore the Harry M. Walsh Waterfowling Artifacts Exhibit, see exceptional sporting art and carving, and learn more about the people and traditions that have shaped the Eastern Shore. For older children—and curious adults—it’s a chance to see that the Festival isn’t simply about looking at beautiful art. It’s about understanding the craftsmanship, history, wildlife and culture behind it.
Make Your Own Festival Adventure The beauty of the Waterfowl Festival is that every family can experience it differently. Watch a retriever work at the Bay Street Ponds while kids get a fishing lesson, meet a Bald Eagle or two at the Raptor Exhibition, learn about Chesapeake wildlife, cheer on a DockDog, discover a new artist in the fine arts pavilions and grab some Eastern Shore bites at the Md’s Best Pavilion!
Before you head out, check the Digital Festival Map to plan your route, find activities and venues, and locate parking, shuttle stops and accessible parking.
Explore the 2026 Digital Festival Map → https://map.proxi.co/r/54thWaterfowlFestival_view Tickets on sale now, waterfowlfestival.org.
Discount three day ticket $20 through Oct. 31. Children ages 15 and under free with a paying adult. Waterfowl Festival 55 November 13–15, 2026 • Easton, Maryland
