Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Raptor Feeding Time
2025-04-21 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-04-22 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-04-23 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-04-24 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-04-25 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-04-27 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-04-28 14:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Raptor Feeding Time
2:30 PM – 3 PM
Join our raptor care-givers for feeding time! Learn about the habits and history of each of the resident raptors at VINS as you watch them enjoy their daily meal.
Held in the Raptor Exhibits.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Natural Wonders
2025-04-22 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-04-23 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-04-24 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-04-25 10:30 - 11:00 | VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 05059, United States
Natural Wonders
Monday – Friday /10:30 AM – 11 AM
Included with General Admission
Join us on a journey of discovery through the wonders of the natural world. Designed for families with young children, this short interactive program explores a range of engaging topics including animals of New England, Animal Engineers, and local habitats.
Meet a VINS Educator outside the Forest Exhibit.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Raptors Up Close
2025-04-22 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-23 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-24 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-25 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-27 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-28 11:00 - 11:30
Raptors Up Close
11 AM – 11:30 AM
Take flight with us on an unforgettable experience! We’ll show you the unique nature of some of the world’s most highly skilled predators – raptors! In this live bird demonstration you’ll gain an up-close view and an in-depth understanding of these majestic birds.
Held in the Hawkfly or Neale Pavilion.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Songbird Aviary Tour
2025-04-22 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-04-23 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-04-24 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-04-25 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-04-27 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-04-28 12:30 - 12:50
Songbird Aviary Tour
12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
Spend some time in our Songbird Aviary! Our docents will familiarize you with this special group of birds and point out the ways you can make a great habitat for these important creatures in your own backyard.
Held in the Songbird Aviary.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Animal Encounter
2025-04-22 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-04-23 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-04-24 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-04-25 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-04-27 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-04-28 14:00 - 14:20
Animal Encounter
2 PM – 2:20 PM
Meet an ambassador animal and hear their story while we learn about the adaptations they have that help their species survive in the wild. Join us for a reptile ambassador on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, or a raptor ambassador on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday!
Held in the Hawkfly or Neale Pavilion.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Owl Festival
2025-04-26 09:00 - 17:00
Owl Festival
Saturday, April 26 / 9 AM – 5 PM / Rain or shine!
Join us for a day of all things owl! Meet live owls from all different habitats and discover their life stories. Join in a craft inspired by owls, and play games to test your own owl skills. Learn all about the amazing world of owls and how you can help the ones in your backyard.
Whoo are those mysterious birds in the trees at night? Meet some owls that might call your backyard home for an all day event here at VINS! Learn about where owls live, what they eat, and how to help protect the wild owls near you. What can you do to help wild owls near you? With live owls, scientists, storytellers and more, it is sure to be an amazing day!
Note: Owl Festival will take place no matter the weather! We have plenty of extra tents set up and opportunities to stay undercover in case of rain.
Get Tickets
Tickets (In Advance) – Save $5 Per Ticket!
$20 Adult; $17 Youth
FREE Children 3 & Under
FREE VINS Members*
Pre-purchase available April 1 (starting 9 AM) – April 25 (until 5 PM).
Tickets (Day of Event)
$25 Adult; $22 Youth
FREE Children 3 & Under
FREE VINS Members*
Purchase tickets upon arrival on April 26.
*VINS Members: No pre-purchase is required. Simply bring your VINS Member ID Card to the admissions window upon arrival on Saturday, April 26.
Check your membership status to renew or join before April 26 for complementary admission to the Owl Festival. Members will receive a free commemorative 2025 Owl Festival sticker upon arrival!
Cancellation/Refund Policy
Tickets for the Owl Festival are non-refundable. If you are unexpectedly unable to attend, you may use your ticket(s) by April 26, 2026 for general admission. Contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000 for questions or concerns.

Schedule of the Day
9 AM – 4:30 PM
Owl Games
Can you hear as well as an owl to catch your dinner? Can you find your way home in each habitat? Find out with our fun games that challenge you to test your owl-senses!
Quiet Owl Crafts
Craft, color, and create a work of art inspired by your favorite owls while you enjoy the quiet of our indoor classroom space.
Raptor Chats
Chat with an educator about our resident owls and the amazing adaptations of their wild counterparts.
Hoot-enanny – Whoooo’s that calling?
Think you can recognize owl calls? Or even call like one? Learn about owl calls and how you can help wild owls!
9 AM – 4 PM
Southern Vermont Natural History Museum
Visit with the educators of the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum with up close encounters and artifacts to explore.
Sculpting Owls with Ryan Mays
Observe as Ryan Mays expertly sculpts an owl from clay throughout the day inspired by VINS’ resident owls!
9 AM – 3 PM
New England Falconry
Meet the falconers and the owls of New England Falconry.
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Raptor Encounter
Meet a live hawk or falcon up close and learn about their natural history!
9:30 AM – 9:50 AM
Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals
Listen to a fun and fantastic tale about owls and other nighttime critters with a fantastic puppeteer.
10 AM – 3 PM
Artist Betsy Smith
Meet local artist Betsy Smith as she draws inspiration from VINS’ resident owl ambassadors to create beautiful artwork.
10 AM – 10:30 AM
Hawk v.s. Owl
What’s the difference between these predators? Uncover the unique adaptations of each as we meet a live owl and a hawk.
10 AM – 10:20 AM
Little Owl Stories
Come and enjoy owl puppets, songs, feathers and movement as well as meet one of VINS resident raptors! (August Pavilion)
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Owls in Myth & Legend
Join Mike Clough from the Southern VT Natural History Museum as he discusses the cultural role of owls with stories and some live owls.
11 AM – 11:20 AM
Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals
Listen to a fun and fantastic tale about owls and other nighttime critters with a fantastic puppeteer.
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Owls in Flight
Did you know owls fly silently? Come watch them in action and learn about the physics of flight. For the safety and comfort of the owls, the program hall will be closed to latecomers once the program has begun.
11:45 AM – 12:05 PM
Little Owl Stories
Come and enjoy owl puppets, songs, feathers and movement as well as meet one of VINS resident raptors!
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Owls of New England
Meet the naturalists from Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and learn about the owls that live in our backyards.
12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals
Listen to a fun and fantastic tale about owls and other nighttime critters with a fantastic puppeteer.
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Northern Saw-whet Owls Migration
Join researcher Ken Benton from North Branch Nature Center to highlight recent Northern Saw-whet Owl migration research done here in Vermont and across the nation. See how they capture and study the owls, and learn about what’s been recently discovered about this mysterious little predator.
1 PM – 1:30 PM
Owls of New England
Meet the naturalists from Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and learn about the owls that live in our backyards.
1:15 PM – 1:35 PM
Little Owl Stories
Come and enjoy owl puppets, songs, feathers and movement as well as meet one of VINS resident raptors!
1:45 PM – 2:15 PM
Who’s That? Let’s meet some Owls!
Meet a live owl with an educator from Southern Vermont Natural History Museum to learn what makes owls so special in this short program.
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Owl Research with North Branch Nature Center
Chat with researcher Ken Benton from North Branch Nature Center to learn how scientists study wild owls, and get to see the equipment they use!
2 PM – 2:45 PM
Owl Photography
What to know what its like trying to find and photograph all of New England’s owl species? Hear the stories behind the photos with photographer Mark Wilson.
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
Owls in Myth & Legend
Join Mike Clough from the Southern VT Natural History Museum as he discusses the cultural role of owls using live owls and storytelling.
2:30 PM – 3 PM
Hawk v.s. Owl
What’s the difference between these predators? Uncover the unique adaptations of each as we meet a live owl and a hawk.
3:15 PM – 4 PM
Owls in Flight
Did you know owls fly silently? Come watch them in action and learn about the physics of flight. For the safety and comfort of the owls, the program hall will be closed to latecomers once the program has begun.
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Raptor Encounter
Meet a live hawk or falcon up close and learn about their natural history!

For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Photo/Video Consent Policy

By purchasing or reserving tickets to visit the VINS Nature Center during Owl Festival, you grant VINS and the Vermont State Department of Tourism the right to capture and use photographs and/or video recordings of you and your party during your visit. These images may be used in promotional materials, including but not limited to, social media, websites, publications, and advertisements, without compensation or further notice.
If you do not wish to have images of you or your minor children used by VINS or the Vermont State Department of Tourism, please notify a staff member upon arrival. You may be asked to wear a designated sticker or take other steps to opt out. VINS will make reasonable efforts to honor these requests but cannot guarantee exclusion from all background or crowd images.
