Save the Date: Headlands Birding Festival 2026
Lake County’s location along the southern shores of Lake Erie and its unique landscape and terrain make it one of the best birding locations in the country.
The Headlands Birding Festival will take place the weekend of September 18 – 20 which is the peak time for fall bird migration in northeast Ohio. The festival takes place at Headlands Beach State Park and Headlands Dunes Nature Preserve and numerous surrounding parks and communities.
Nearly 400 registrants from across the Midwest took part in the festival in 2025 with hundreds more who enjoyed the Keynote speech from Julie Zickefoose or took part in the festivals’ free talks and events.
Proceeds from the Headlands Birding Festival benefit the Friends of Headlands Beach State Park which uses funds for projects such as handicap-accessible mats for the beach, beach cleanup efforts and preservation of the dunes and wetlands at the park which are critical habitats for birds.
The Headlands Birding Festival is expanding in 2026 with evening activities and new bird walks at Holden Arboretum, new Lake Metroparks parks and additional City of Mentor parks. With numerous hotels located close to the festival, a weekend trip to Lake County for this event is easy and convenient.
For more information on the Headlands Birding Festival, visit the festival website at HeadlandsBirdingFestival.com.