Page 9 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2026-2027 Audubon Christmas Bird Count The Christmas Bird Count is sponsored by the National Audubon Society and is held throughout the Americas. The counts are done from December 14th to January 5th every year. For more information visit https://www.audubon.org/ conservation/science/christmas-bird-count or call your local state park for more information: in Weslaco - Estero Llano Grande State Park, (956) 565-3919; in Mission - Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, (956) 584-9156. Fourth of July Butterfly Count The North American Butterfly Association holds annual Fourth of July butterfly counts all over the nation. The Mission-area count is coordinated by the National Butterfly Center. The NABA Butterfly Count Program also includes a Spring Seasonal Count and a Fall Seasonal Count. For more information, visit https://naba.org/butterfly-counts/. Monarch Fest Monarch Fest is an annual celebration hosted by Quinta Mazatlán that highlights the migration of monarch butterflies through South Texas in April. The festival offers a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Guests are encouraged to wear orange and their wings for the Mayor’s Bug Parade and enjoy a variety of activities, including butterfly stilt walkers, scout badge activities, a caterpillar tot corner, pollinator art installations, special speakers, garden tours, arts and crafts, live music, dance performances, native plants for sale, and great food. More than 30 community partners participate in the event each year, creating an engaging learning environment centered around pollinators and nature conservation. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at Quinta Mazatlán Ticket Page or at the gate on the day of the event. For updates and additional information, visit Quinta Mazatlán Official Website or follow Quinta Mazatlán on Facebook. Ocelot Festival The Ocelot Conservation Day and Ocelot Run return to South Texas every year in early March. The event is held to share information about ongoing conservation efforts and to educate about ocelots in a family-friendly environment that includes games, activities, and presentations. Visitors can expect to learn more about ocelots, the work underway to conserve them, and how they can help. For more information about the event, visit the website at www.flanwr.org Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival Birders will flock to the Valley in search of the specialty birds of the Rio Grande Valley for the 33rd annual Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival held at the Harlingen Convention Center. The festival runs from November 11th to the 15th, 2026, with field trips, keynote speakers, afternoon and evening presentations, a rousing trade show, an exciting silent auction, a souvenir store, local art and photography, a live bird show, and a weekend program for children. For additional information or to register, visit www.rgvbf.org. The Great Texas Birding Classic The Great Texas Birding Classic, coordinated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, takes place every year from April 15th through May 15th, with a registration deadline of April 1st. With more than 40 tournament categories based on age, region of the state, length of time birding, and more, there is truly something for everyone. It is the biggest, longest, wildest bird watching tournament in the United States! For information and dates, visit www.birdingclassic.org or call 512-389-4500. Texas Butterfly Festival The 30th Annual Texas Butterfly Festival will be held from November 7th to the 10th, 2026 in Mission. The festival includes educational workshops and field trips across the Rio Grande Valley for anyone interested in learning more about butterflies, dragonflies, and birds. Whether you are a curious nature enthusiast or an experienced naturalist, you are sure to find something thrilling in this 4-day festival that features expert guides, speakers, and instructors. For more information or to register, visit www.texasbutterflyfestival.com or call the National Butterfly Center at (956) 583-5400. Texas International Fishing Tournament The 86th annual Texas International Fishing Tournament will be held from July 29th to August 2nd, 2026, in the Port Isabel-South Padre Island area. For information, go to www.tift.org or call (956) 9438438.
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