10 things to do outside this weekend

With the clocks back and sunsets arriving early, it’s tempting to hunker down until spring, but let’s get outside instead.

National Bison Day is this Saturday, and our picks lean wild, with sandhill cranes in California, bison in Iowa, whale festivals in Alaska and Florida, plus a Blue Angels air show and a paddle to a waterfall. We’ve done the research, so now all you have to do is pick an activity.

Pacific Northwest: Paddle to Willamette Falls

What it is: Willamette Riverkeeper and eNRG Kayaking are teaming up for a guided fall paddle from Oregon City to Willamette Falls, one of Oregon’s best-known landmarks. The route passes the historic Willamette Falls Locks along the way. Afterward, paddlers can warm up indoors around a wood stove and share a potluck lunch.

Why this weekend: It’s a one-day event on Saturday, Nov. 7. Organizers brought back the popular paddle after calling last year’s outing one of their highlights.

Know before you go: The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting at eNRG Kayaking at Sportcraft Landing. Arrive 15 minutes early. Register in advance for the free event, bring a favorite dish to share and dress for a cold-water paddle, with extra warm clothing for afterward.

Kayaks, paddles and life jackets are provided, or you can bring your own boat. Children must be at least 8 and accompanied by an adult authorized to sign their waiver.

California: Watch the cranes come home at the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival

What it is: Every fall, thousands of sandhill cranes settle into the wetlands and farm fields around Lodi, and the 28th annual Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival celebrates their return.

Why this weekend: The festival runs Friday through Sunday, Nov. 6–8. Guided tours offer opportunities to see the cranes in their natural habitat, including areas that aren’t normally open to the public.

Know before you go: Festival admission is free at Hutchins Street Square Community Center, 125 S. Hutchins St. Activities include family crafts, photography workshops and talks. Guided tours into crane habitat, including sunset fly-ins when the birds return to roost, cost extra, as do some workshops. Check availability before heading out.

Mountain West: Catch live music at the Moab Folk Festival

What it is: The 24th annual Moab Folk Festival brings singer-songwriters and Americana, roots and bluegrass music to Moab, Utah. Daytime sets are outdoors at the Center Street Ballfields, with red rock cliffs as the backdrop. The 2026 lineup includes John Craigie, Steve Poltz and Rising Appalachia.

Why this weekend: The festival runs Nov. 6–8, with outdoor ballfield concerts Saturday and Sunday and evening shows at Star Hall on Friday and Saturday.

Know before you go: Tickets are required. As of Nov. 5, both Star Hall concerts are sold out, and the festival is offering single-day ballfield tickets for Saturday and Sunday. Check current ticket availability before traveling.

Expect crowds in town, since the Moab Trail Marathon, which includes the USATF Trail Half Marathon National Championship, is also happening this weekend.

Southwest: Ride the red rocks at the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival

What it is: The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival at Posse Grounds Park in West Sedona centers on the area’s red-rock singletrack. Take a spin on a demo bike, participate in guided and shuttled rides, up your game in skills clinics and enjoy food trucks and live music.

Why this weekend: The festival is usually a spring event, but it moved to fall dates this year.

Know before you go: It runs Friday through Sunday, Nov. 6–8, at Posse Grounds Park, 525 Posse Ground Road. Passes are available as single-day, three-day or shuttle-only options. Online sales have ended, but organizers say passes will be sold at the festival registration booth. Review the pass information before going.

Midwest: Meet the herd at Bison Fest at Botna Bend Park

What it is: Pottawattamie County Conservation hosts Bison Fest at Botna Bend Park in Hancock, Iowa, home to a resident bison herd. Visitors can see the animals and try atlatl throwing, flint knapping and bison wool spinning. There are also artifacts, fossils and crafts to explore.

Why this weekend: National Bison Day falls on the first Saturday of November, which is Nov. 7 this year, and this festival is the park’s way of celebrating.

Know before you go: The festival runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s free with the $3-per-vehicle park entry fee or an annual permit, and it’s held rain or shine. 

Gulf Coast: Watch the Blue Angels at the Homecoming Air Show

What it is: The Blue Angels return to their home base at Naval Air Station Pensacola for two days of aerial performances. Over 300,000 attendees are expected, making it one of Pensacola’s biggest events of the year.

Why this weekend: Show days are Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7. 

Know before you go: General admission and parking are free. Gates open at 8 a.m., and the show begins at 9:30 a.m. The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform around 2 p.m. Bring chairs or blankets, or buy optional paid seating. Hearing protection is recommended, especially for children.

Visitors 18 and older should bring a REAL ID-compliant state-issued photo ID or a valid U.S. passport. Foreign nationals must bring a valid passport and may face additional screening.

When lots fill, visitors are directed to shuttle parking, so allow extra time for traffic and security. Review the official air show FAQs for prohibited items and other access requirements before leaving home.

Southeast: Welcome the right whales home at the Right Whale Festival

What it is: The Right Whale Festival in Fernandina Beach, Florida, celebrates the return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to their calving grounds off northeast Florida and Georgia. Hosted in partnership with organizations involved in right whale research and conservation, the free festival features live music, educational exhibits, kids’ activities, food and a morning beach cleanup.

Why this weekend: Right whale calving season generally runs from mid-November through mid-April, and the festival celebrates the beginning of the season. It runs Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7–8.

Know before you go: Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Main Beach Park. The Saturday beach cleanup runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; register for the cleanup in advance.

Northeast: Hike to the North Lookout on Eagle Day at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

What it is: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is a ridgetop raptor preserve in Kempton, Pennsylvania, where hikers climb to rocky lookouts to watch migrating hawks, eagles and falcons. On Eagle Day, staff bring out a non-releasable bald eagle and a non-releasable golden eagle for hourlong programs on apex predators and the hazards eagles face in the wild.

Why this weekend: Eagle Day falls on Saturday, Nov. 7, during the fall raptor migration.

Know before you go: The eagle programs take place at noon and 2 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheater. An Eagle Discovery Station is open in the Information Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Seating is limited, so arrive early. Trail fees apply for nonmembers; members attend free.

For a hike before or after the program, North Lookout is about a mile from the visitor center, making for a roughly 2-mile round trip. The trail gets rocky, so wear hiking boots and bring binoculars.

Hawaii: Stroll Kona coffee country at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

What it is: The 55th Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Hawaii’s oldest food festival, celebrates Kona’s nearly 200-year coffee heritage with 10 days of events across the Big Island. Up to 25 coffee farms are represented at tastings in the historic village of Holualoa. Guided walking tours take participants through coffee orchards on the slopes of Mauna Loa, but tour dates vary.

Why this weekend: The festival runs Nov. 6–15, but opening weekend brings the Lantern Parade from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday and the Holualoa Coffee & Art Stroll from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Know before you go: A $10 festival button provides admission to many activities, but some events and tours require additional tickets or fees. Children 5 and younger attend free. Check the event schedule for individual requirements. Carpool to the Holualoa stroll if possible; parking is limited.

Alaska: Cruise Sitka Sound at Sitka WhaleFest

What it is: The 30th annual Sitka WhaleFest brings science talks, a big market and a lineup of outdoor excursions. Take a guided kayak paddle along the shoreline of Sitka National Historical Park, join the Whale Run or hop aboard a marine wildlife cruise. The Whale Run offers 5K and 10K runs and a 2-mile walk.

Why this weekend: The outings are packed into three mornings, starting with the kayak paddle on Nov. 6, the Whale Run on Nov. 7 and cruises on Nov. 7 and 8. 

Know before you go: The Whale Run starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Whale Park and costs $5, with race-day registration from 8 to 9 a.m.

The guided kayak paddle runs from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and costs $80. Meet at the Sitka Sound Science Center’s Mill Building. Rain gear and rubber boots are required.

Wildlife cruises run Saturday and Sunday mornings. Meet at 8:15 a.m. at the Crescent Harbor net shed beside Harrigan Centennial Hall; the outings end at 11:30 a.m. Listed cruise tickets range from $35 to $70. Buy kayak and cruise tickets in advance, since space is limited.

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