Photo Courtesy of The Waterfowl Festival
This year, the event returns to its roots by celebrating the people, places, and time-honored traditions at the heart of the Festival’s legacy.
The Waterfowl Festival, one of the nation’s premier events dedicated to the celebration of waterfowl and the natural environment, returns to Easton, Maryland, on November 13-15, 2026. The event will feature festival favorites as well as new attractions to delight and engage everyone in the family!
5 Festival Highlights for Five Incredible Decades!
This year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages, with activities that cater to art enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, and outdoor adventurers alike.
1. 55 artists for 55 years!
Our artists represent the best of the best in wildlife art from across the country and beyond. New venues include the Framptom Building and Sculpture Pavilion. After over a decade, the festival has returned to the spectacular Tidewater Inn Gold Ballroom. These venues will showcase incredible works of art featuring paintings, sculptures, carvings, mixed media and more! Don’t miss out on premier night and our champagne opening reception, November 12, to get a first glimpse at the works commissioned especially for Waterfowl Festival 55.
A festival first - Three featured artists, not just one!
- Ray Brown is internationally recognized for his hyper-realistic graphite renderings of wildlife. A multiple “Best in Show” recipient at major wildlife art exhibitions, Brown’s meticulous detail and mastery of light have earned him widespread acclaim among collectors and conservationists alike. His featured piece for the Festival will showcase the dramatic beauty and precision that define his celebrated style
- Paul Rhymer, a Maryland-based sculptor known for capturing motion and anatomical accuracy in bronze, has received numerous national awards for his wildlife sculpture. His works are held in private and public collections across the country. For Waterfowl Festival 55, Rhymer will debut a newly conceived sculpture inspired by his love of the Chesapeake region, with a nod to America’s 250 celebration.
- Randy Conner, one of the nation’s most respected contemporary decoy carvers, has earned top honors at prestigious carving competitions throughout the Northeast. Revered for his blend of traditional craftsmanship and refined artistry, Conner will unveil a new hand-carved piece created specifically to commemorate the Festival’s 55th year.
2. Visit the new Canvasback Courtyard for shopping, dancing, and deliciousness!
The festival always has food and fun, but this year this special area will have an amazing shopping experience downtown like never before. This area includes the Marshland Mercantile, the Waterfowl Festival beers, and a limited edition Waterfowl Festival Rye Whiskey. Enjoy libations and dance to the music with a music stage in the middle of all of the action.
The Armory Cultural and Sporting Heritage Pavilion will dazzle with collections rarely seen in public of artifacts related to the sporting traditions. This area will feature antique firearms, decoys, and a wide range of collectible objects that work together to tell the story of Chesapeake Bay hunting and sporting culture. Watch decoy carving in action as well as celebrate the visual beauty of the area with our festival photography display. In this pavilion, the 2025 and 2026 Federal Duck Stamp artist display will showcase their hyper-realistic award-winning paintings, designated for private collections after their few scheduled public appearances.
Voices of the Chesapeake debuts this year at the Avalon Theatre. Festival attendees are invited inside to enjoy educational and engaging talks and demonstrations featuring professionals who will share their knowledge of all things Chesapeake! Meet eagles and turtles with rehabilitation and nature specialists, talk to artists and watch demos on what inspires them most about the great outdoors, and learn about the cultural history of the region in a state-of-the art theater experience. The schedule will include the ever-popular Scales to Tales program, Maryland’s Raptor Conservancy, Farmer Abe’s story tales, Sean Mann’s Calling demos, and more.
4. Quackin’ Trail returns to entertain the kids!
The Waterfowl Festival is a family-friendly event with a range of activities designed to engage and educate children. Parents can pick up a quackin’ trail map for their kiddos at our ticket kiosks or online. The trail will lead kids to educational activities such as the Phillips Wharf Fishmobile, drawing with Tim Young, the incredible raptor show, story time with The Chesapeake Mermaid, and art activities sponsored by the Ward foundation at the Chesapeake Bay Pavilion. This year, enjoy a full-size disc golf course and a kids fishing derby - something for all ages at the Bay Street Ponds. Kids 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Don’t miss the kid’s calling contest at the Sportsman’s pavilion - registration required.
5. The Sportsman’s Pavilion is Back and better than ever!
Dock Dogs, chain saw competitions, live music, incredible food, shopping and more will await attendees at the ever-popular Elks Lodge location. Next door, don’t miss the Conservation Corner exhibits, the Raptor exhibition, the children’s art exhibits, and the not-to-be missed Buy-Sell-Swap collectibles area- a festival favorite for shoppers of all ages since 1971.
BONUS!
Parking is a breeze with our shuttle service - free parking is available at Easton Middle School, Easton High School, and Easton Elementary school - all locations have accessible parking and bus stops - easy to get downtown!
For tickets please visit: https://waterfowlfestival.org
About the Waterfowl Festival : Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships, and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.
The Waterfowl Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the Maryland State Arts Council, the Maryland Historic Trust, the Town of Easton, Talbot County Government, and all of our incredible community partners including the hundreds of volunteers that make all the magic happen.
For more information about the Waterfowl Festival, including ticket sales and a full schedule of events, please visit www.waterfowlfestival.org.
Waterfowl Festival; 40 S. Harrison Street, Easton, MD 21601; 420-822-4567; waterfowlfestival.org
