Winter Wildlife Festival 2026: Snow Can’t Stop the Fun!

This year’s Winter Wildlife Festival demonstrated that Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation (VBPR) does not let a little snow get in the way of celebrating wildlife. Winter storms forced the cancellation of 43 of the 61 scheduled trips, but the festival kicked off with record-breaking energy, drawing an estimated 1,500 visitors for a day full of discovery and fun. That is the largest kickoff crowd in the festival’s 16-year history. 

Fun For Families and Wildlife Lovers  

Festival-goers braved the cold to explore interactive exhibits, snap photos at the selfie stations, and participate in walk-up workshops. Families flocked to the children’s area, where 900 kids enjoyed crafts, games, and story times hosted by the Virginia Beach Master Gardeners, making it a day full of smiles, learning and winter wonder. 

Even with snow forcing some cancellations, the festival’s trips and excursions still brought wildlife lovers together. From birding walks in the Great Dismal Swamp to hands-on watercolor workshops, a total of 177 participants attended 18 excursions, discovering everything from winter waterfowl to local history in a uniquely hands-on way.  

Wildlife photography enthusiasts did not miss out either, submitting 378 stunning entries across six contest categories. In the evenings, 29 teams competed at Voodoo Brewing in the Wildlife Trivia event, more than doubling the usual turnout and proving that fun and a little friendly competition can thrive even in the cold. 

Community Engagement and Support 

The festival also inspired the community online. The public Facebook group grew to 1,139 members, and the Winter Wildlife Festival webpage drew 12,900 page views, up 19% from last year, showing that virtual participation was stronger than ever.  

Thanks to the generosity of attendees and the support of the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation, the silent auction and raffle raised a total of $2,235 for FLOW Camp, which supports future wildlife education programs that provide opportunities for under-represented communities to foster a love for the outdoors and wildlife. 

Upcoming Events You Can Still Attend 

The fun is not over yet. Rescheduled guest speakers Natalia Rojas and Joan Strassmann will share their expertise at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library. Both sessions will be free to attend with no registration required.  

• Natalia Rojas is an award-winning Colombian American scientific illustrator, best known for her work on “Wingspan.” Her life-like depictions of birds celebrate biodiversity and inspire audiences to look closer at the natural world. Her session will take place at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20. 

• Joan Strassmann is a celebrated biologist, National Academy of Sciences member, Guggenheim Fellow, and author of “Slow Birding and The Social Lives of Birds.” She is recognized for her groundbreaking research on animal behavior and the social lives of birds. Her keynote will begin at 5:30 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 21. 

Both events are generously supported by the Virginia Beach Library Foundation and Dominion Energy. 

The 2026 Mary Reed Barrow Wildlife Advocate Award recipient will be announced at the keynote on Feb. 21. Winter Wildlife Festival Photo Contest winners will be revealed at a gallery reception on Wednesday, March 4, at Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, sponsored by Beach Municipal Federal Credit Union. 

While the weather did not fully cooperate, VBPR ensured a great time for all. The Winter Wildlife Festival 2026 has already proven to be one for the books. Come out and join the final events and help close the season with a bang! 

Partners and Support 

The Winter Wildlife Festival is made possible through the support of partners including the Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation, Virginia Beach Audubon Society, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, LRNow, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Beach Public Library and the Virginia Aquarium. 

Support the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation by ordering a special edition shirt of winter birds wearing hats or WWF apparel. For more information, visit WinterWildlifeVB.com.  

• Winter Wildlife Festival
• Parks & Recreation