4th Annual Snowy Owl Festival
Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center
February 5-7, 2027
The Snowy Owl Festival is an annual celebration dedicated to the snowy owl and its winter migration to the Eastern Upper Peninsula. It brings together wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, and families to learn about and appreciate the beauty of these remarkable birds. The festival features an educational lecture, guided birdwatching tours, and live owl presentations, making it a must attend event for those passionate about nature and wildlife.
CLICK HERE to register online or call 906-484-1333.
TICKETS GO ON SALE NOVEMBER 1, 2027
Friday, February 5, 2027
Early Bird Snowy Owl Birdwatching Tour (Carpool)
Friday, February 5 • 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Kick off the Snowy Owl Festival with an exclusive early-bird bird-watching adventure! Join us for an afternoon carpool tour through prime winter habitat as we search for snowy owls and other seasonal raptors. This guided outing offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy quiet winter landscapes, learn from experienced birders, and spot these majestic Arctic visitors before the festival’s keynote presentation and evening celebration.
To reduce traffic on winter roads and minimize disturbance to wildlife, space is limited by vehicle count. Carpooling is highly encouraged, and advance registration is required to secure your spot. Dress warmly, bring binoculars or a spotting scope if you have them, and get ready for an unforgettable start to the festival weekend! $40 per person.
To register, call 906-484-1333 or REGISTER ONLINE.
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Afternoon Paint n’ Sip: Snowy Owl
Friday, February 5 • 1:00-3:00 pm
Come and take part in the Snowy Owl Festival’s Paint n’ Sip! Transform your black canvas into the majestic snowy owl with white paint and simple techniques! Karen Mazzoline will provide the materials and instruction, so bring a friend and come paint with us!
Class Fee: $40.00 per person, all materials included.
To register, call 906-484-1333 or
CLICK HERE to register online.
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Snowy Owl Crafts for Kids!
Friday, February 5 • 4:00-6:00 pm
Kick off the Snowy Owl Festival with an afternoon of creative fun! Kids will make two owl-inspired art projects: a fluffy pinecone snowy owl with cotton-ball feathers and a colorful winter owl painting. A light snack will be provided to keep young artists fueled as they create. Conveniently timed right after school and just before the live owl presentation at 6:00 p.m., this class is a fun way to begin the festival’s opening-day festivities. Come create, enjoy a snack, and make an evening of celebrating these fascinating birds!
Class Fee: $20 This class is designed for children 6-12 years old.
To register, call 906-484-1333 or
CLICK HERE to register online.
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RAPTORS REVEALED: Meet the Remarkable Snowy Owl
Friday, February 5 • 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Join us for an engaging program exploring the incredible adaptations that make these raptors such remarkable survivors and important members of our ecosystems. We’ll begin by uncovering what makes a raptor a raptor, exploring their unique adaptations, learning about common species, and discovering ways we can help protect these powerful birds. Then, we’ll turn our attention to one of the Arctic’s most captivating residents: the snowy owl! Discover what makes snowy owls unique, how they differ from other owl species, where they can be found, and how they survive in some of the harshest environments on Earth. We’ll also explore the mysteries surrounding their migrations and why scientists are still learning about these incredible journeys. Come meet one of Michigan’s most fascinating visitors up close and learn how we can help protect these birds in the wild.
Session Fee: $10.00 per person
To register, call 906-484-1333 or
CLICK HERE to register online.
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Saturday, February 6, 2027
Winter Birding & Snowy Owl Tour
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us for a guided birding adventure through the stunning winter landscapes of Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula! This special tour by bus offers a rare opportunity to search for the iconic Snowy Owl along with a variety of other winter-loving species that call this region home. Led by avid birder Elliot Nelson, participants will travel by bus to several prime birding hotspots. Elliot will share expert insights into winter bird behavior, habitat, and identification—while helping you spot these majestic Arctic visitors and their feathered neighbors. With a small group size of only 24 participants, this immersive experience ensures personal attention, fantastic viewing opportunities, and a relaxed, supportive atmosphere for both beginners and seasoned birders.
Tour Fee: $50 per person
Includes: Transportation by school bus, guided instruction, and unforgettable winter wildlife experiences. Bundle up, bring your binoculars and camera, and get ready for a magical winter birding outing you won’t soon forget!
To register, call 906-484-1333 or CLICK HERE to register online.
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RAPTORS REVEALED: Meet the Remarkable Snowy Owl
Saturday, February 6 • 10:00 – 11:30 am
Join us for an engaging program exploring the incredible adaptations that make these raptors such remarkable survivors and important members of our ecosystems. We’ll begin by uncovering what makes a raptor a raptor, exploring their unique adaptations, learning about common species, and discovering ways we can help protect these powerful birds. Then, we’ll turn our attention to one of the Arctic’s most captivating residents: the snowy owl! Discover what makes snowy owls unique, how they differ from other owl species, where they can be found, and how they survive in some of the harshest environments on Earth. We’ll also explore the mysteries surrounding their migrations and why scientists are still learning about these incredible journeys. Come meet one of Michigan’s most fascinating visitors up close and learn how we can help protect these birds in the wild.
Session Fee: $10.00 per person
To register, call 906-484-1333 or
CLICK HERE to register online.
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Winter Birding & Snowy Owl Tour
1:00 – 5:00 pm
Join us for a guided birding adventure through the stunning winter landscapes of Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula! This special tour by bus offers a rare opportunity to search for the iconic Snowy Owl along with a variety of other winter-loving species that call this region home. Led by avid birder Elliot Nelson, participants will travel by bus to several prime birding hotspots. Elliot will share expert insights into winter bird behavior, habitat, and identification—while helping you spot these majestic Arctic visitors and their feathered neighbors. With a small group size of only 24 participants, this immersive experience ensures personal attention, fantastic viewing opportunities, and a relaxed, supportive atmosphere for both beginners and seasoned birders.
Tour Fee: $50 per person
To register, call 906-484-1333 or CLICK HERE to register online.
Includes: Transportation by school bus, guided instruction, and unforgettable winter wildlife experiences. Bundle up, bring your binoculars and camera, and get ready for a magical winter birding outing you won’t soon forget!
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Insights on Owl Research with Friends of Whitefish Point
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Join Chris Neri and Nova Mackentley, renowned wildlife photographers and field biologists, for an engaging presentation on local owl research. With nearly 20 years of experience banding migrating owls, they will share captivating stories and valuable insights into the trends of snowy owls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You won’t want to miss this presentation! $10.00 per person. Register early… this one fills up quickly.
To register, call 906-484-1333 or
CLICK HERE to register online.
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Winter Bird Photography
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Winter in Michigan provides unique and exhilarating photographic adventures with the chance to observe birds that are seldom seen in the rest of the country. Join Joe Kwasniewski as we explore exciting opportunities and overcome the challenges of photographing birds in the most extreme of our seasons. We will delve into practical tips for success, discussing exposure, composition, camera settings and bird behavior, as well as preparing for the elements to capture stunning images of some of our state’s most iconic and beautiful species.
Class fee: $25.00 per person.
To register, call 906-484-1333 or
CLICK HERE to register online.
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Sunday, February 7, 2027
Snowy Owl & Winter Birding Carpooling Tour with Birdwatcher and Wildlife Photographer Joe Kwasniewski
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wrap up the Snowy Owl Festival with an unforgettable field experience. This final tour of the weekend offers a last chance to seek out the majestic Snowy Owl and capture breathtaking winter wildlife images across the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Your guide, Joe Kwasniewski will lead you by vehicle, caravan-style, through prime winter birding areas, scenic vantage points and known raptor locations. This small-group outing ensures ample time in the field, opportunities to ask questions, and the flexibility to stop for perfect photographic moments as they arise. Carpooling is required to keep the group small, limit road impact, and maintain a quiet, low-disturbance presence in sensitive winter environments. Whether you’re a seasoned birding expert or just starting out, this tour promises a meaningful and memorable finale to the festival.
To register, call 906-484-1333 or
CLICK HERE to register online.
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Visiting the area?
Check out the Les Cheneaux Area Chamber of Commerce website for lodging and dining information.
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Don’t forget to pre-order your Snowy Owl Festival merch too! There will only be a limited supply of sizes and colors available at the Snowy Owl Festival. Pre-order yours to ensure you get the correct size and color that you want. Pre-order online with your tickets or call 906-484-1333 to order them over the phone.
