Alaska comes alive in the warmer months, and spring can feel like an actual song as you watch the snow melt, the trees bud, and the animals arrive. And this spring festival in Cordova celebrates one of our favorite occurrences: the Delta Shorebird migration in Alaska! This is a spectacular festival for bird and animal lovers alike. Pack your bags, because this is one trip you won't forget.

If there’s one guaranteed way to welcome spring with a smile on your face, it’s this memorable festival in Cordova.

The Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival is a celebration in epic proportions. Spend four days reveling in the wonder that is the migration of over five million shorebirds. These are natural wonders that you may never have even realized were possible in the United States.

This is a wonderful family-friendly birding event that the kids will love.

And the best part? Kids get to attend free to the event. They’ll love the scavenger hunt, and seeing large masses of birds dipping and dancing over the water. There's lots of programming designed to keep attendees of all ages and interests engaged.

There are so many ways to enjoy the festival, including presenters, classes, in-person guided birding tours, and more.

There are even field trips to enjoy and learn more about the birds you’ll see during the festival. The schedule includes scavenger hunts, famous speakers, and even art galleries. You'll never be bored, that's for certain.

This year’s festival is happening in person and the locals are almost as excited about it as the visitors who come especially for this every year.

Tickets are $100 per person (again, kids get in free) and include access to all the speaker talks and presentations, guided birding trips, and discounts on third-party activities happening during the festival.

This is an incredibly popular event, and Cordova is small, so be sure to book your rooms or lodging in advance.

You can get there by the Alaska Marine Ferry or hop a flight on Alaska Airlines. This is one festival you won’t want to miss.

This year’s festival is being held from May 2 - May 5, 2024. The festival organizers recommend arriving on or before May 2 and leaving on May 6 to maximize your time and enjoyment.

Follow their Facebook or Instagram page for live migration updates and sign in to iNaturalist and eBird to document your bird sightings while you’re visiting.

If you’re looking for an epic getaway with birds galore, this should be your number one spot.

This shorebird festival never disappoints; it will be a memory that will last a lifetime. It’s the perfect way to welcome spring back into our lives!

Learn more when you visit the Copper River Shorebird Festival website. This is also where you can buy tickets to attend the event.

Have you ever witnessed the Delta Shorebird migration in Alaska? What did you think? Would you recommend it? Let us know in the comments below! We love to hear your firsthand accounts of these unique experiences.

Looking for some great food while you’re in town? Make sure to stop by This Mom and Pop Restaurant Serves Up The Most Mouthwatering Pizza In Alaska.