Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival
Now in its 29th year, this week-long festival in the Upper Columbia Valley delivers over 90 guided field excursions, workshops, evening presentations, and a gala celebration — set against the Columbia River Wetlands, one of the longest protected wetland corridors in North America.
About the event
The Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival is organized by the Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival Society, a nonprofit based in Invermere, BC, in the Upper Columbia Valley of the East Kootenays. Founded in 1997, the Society has now delivered 28 consecutive annual festivals (2026 will be its 29th year), making it one of the longest-running nature festivals in western Canada.
The festival is built around the Columbia River Wetlands, which stretch approximately 180 kilometres from Canal Flats south to the US border — the longest protected wetlands in North America. The valley floor is a critical staging area for hundreds of thousands of migrating birds moving along the Rocky Mountain Trench in May, and the combination of wetland, river corridor, subalpine forest, and rocky mountain terrain makes for exceptional species diversity. Osprey, white pelicans, tundra swans, and great blue herons are among the signature sights of the valley in spring.
Over a single week in early May, the festival delivers over 90 events — guided field excursions, educational luncheon and evening presentations, art and music performances, craft workshops, family activities, school programs, and a Gala Celebration with keynote speaker. The 2026 theme is "Adventures in Nature" and the keynote is Dr. Adam Shoalts, professional explorer, historian, and archaeologist.
What to expect
The festival operates across the Upper Columbia Valley, with events departing from Invermere and spreading to Radium Hot Springs, Windermere Lake, the Columbia River corridor, and surrounding Rocky Mountain terrain. The programming deliberately spans audiences — casual visitors can attend a complimentary festival kick-off social or join a family farm visit, while serious naturalists can join full-day guided birding excursions into marsh and mountain habitat.
Events span the full gamut of engagement: gentle paddles on the Columbia, strenuous ridge hikes with mountain views, watercolor and felting workshops in community halls, luncheon presentations with visiting scientists, and evening programs with musicians and filmmakers. The festival has built a deep community following over nearly three decades and serves as a major spring gathering for the valley. Attendance draws visitors from across BC, Alberta, and beyond.
Early May in the Columbia Valley means variable weather — warm sunny afternoons and cold mornings are both possible. Many events are outdoors and exposed, so layering is essential. Some high-elevation excursions may encounter lingering snowpack.
Key events
- Festival Kick-Off Social — Complimentary opening evening at Copper Point Resort. Free; no registration required.
- Guided birding excursions — Half- and full-day expert-led birding walks and drives covering wetland, riparian, forest, and mountain terrain throughout the valley. Various fees; limited capacity.
- Paddle and canoe adventures — Guided paddles on the Columbia River and valley lakes. Various fees; registration required.
- Special Film Screening: The Art of Adventure — Thursday evening film event.
- Live Music: The Wardens — Friday evening concert featuring Canadian musical legends.
- Wings Gala Celebration and Keynote — Saturday evening gala with keynote by Dr. Adam Shoalts (explorer, historian, archaeologist). Signature event of the festival week.
- Craft workshops — Watercolor painting, felting, clay crafts, block printing sessions held throughout the week. Various fees.
- Family and youth activities — Storytime, farm visits, and youth craft workshops. Some events free.
- Educational luncheon presentations — Midday talks by scientists, naturalists, and conservationists. Various fees.