LeClaire Eagle Fest (2026)
This annual free event offers you the chance to see bald eagles in their natural habitat and up close during live eagle demonstrations. It’s a two-day event, although most of the scheduled events take place on the second day, Sunday, Jan 18th, 2026.
Where: LeClaire, Iowa
When: Sat Jan 17th and Sunday Jan 18th, 2026
Schedule of events:
Saturday, Jan 17th
- Ice Sculptures carved by Rob Storm at Aunt Hattie’s Fanciful Emporium.
- Eagle watching on the Mississippi River
Sunday, Jan 18th
All Sunday events are held at the Celebration Center located at 229 N Cody Road in LeClaire.
- Live eagles presented by the World Bird Sanctuary
- Eagle Tales story time with Brian “Fox” Ellis
- “The Life of Iowa’s Bald Eagles” presented by photographer Ty Smedes
- Rob Storm will carve three more ice sculptures
- Hot Cocoa Bar
- Eagle Watching along the Mississippi River
On Sunday, there is also eagle watching from the rooftop of the Celebration Center. Birding experts on hand to help you spot eagles using the spotting scopes provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
What other locations are popular in LeClaire for spotting bald eagles?
The most popular location is the south side of Lock and Dam 14 in LeClaire. Eagles population increases during December when ice starts to form, but the largest populations are Jan through the start of March. During the winter months, the lock and dam is also home to a large number of pelicans.
