About the Celebration ...

About the event...

The HummerBird Celebration is an annual event held each September in the charming and friendly coastal towns of Rockport and Fulton. The purpose is to celebrate the spectacular fall migration of the Ruby-throated hummingbird through the area, first documented by Connie Hagar in 1938, and to expand one's knowledge of all birds, and associated wildlife. The Celebration is fun, educational and inspiring. There is something for everyone and it's designed for those who just enjoy birds to the more experienced birder. If you enjoy nature, or some aspect of it, then this event is for you.

Welcome from the Chamber…  

Located on the Texas Gulf Coast, on the bay of Aransas, the towns of Rockport and Fulton offer a special charm. Since their earliest days, Rockport and Fulton have attracted visitors with their climate, their friendly people and always, their wonderful birds.

The Tourism Development Council of the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to help and assist the annual HummerBird Celebration Committee in making this event spectacular for all those who attend.

Each year the staff of the Chamber look forward to entertaining those who attend the HummerBird Celebration. It is a pleasure to try to accommodate each and everyone. It is truly remarkable to work behind the scenes as part of the team that coordinates an event which pleases so many people in a comfortable sort of way.

To our regular attendees and to anyone wishing to attend for the first time, you are warmly welcomed. Hope to see you here and happy birding until then. Call the Chamber office if we can assist you.   

What’s up this year?  

In 2025 we are celebrating our 37th anniversary of the event. We are hoping you enjoy yourself as we celebrate the spectacular fall migration of the Ruby-throated hummingbird…and the fun of birding. Join us for special presentations, take boat tours to see our amazing shore birds, visit our "nature only" vendor store and discover what’s new for the birding enthusiast. Enjoy a reception, breakfast or brunch and don't miss the Hummer Homes Tour to see the hummers stocking up at feeders as they prepare for their amazing trip to their winter home.

Celebration of all birds during fall migration   
It is important to remind people how the name of this event came about.  

When Betty Baker and Jesse Grantham and others, began developing this event, their intent was to bring attention to this great phenomena of the fall migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds. They wanted everyone to not just focus on hummingbirds but all birds during the tremendously beautiful fall migration. Hence came the name HummerBird Celebration. A Celebration, not a festival with tents and carnivals, but a learning extravaganza!

Hummer Home Self-Guided Tours 

Local homes and businesses plant and maintain their yards year round to attract hummingbirds. You are invited to visit their yards to see the plants that lure the birds and to see them feeding in preparation for their incredible journey south. It is possible to see over 100 hummingbirds in one yard.

So you are already in town? Check out things to do and where to go to see the hummerbirds... 

Make sure you stop by the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce to pick up information on:

Aransas Pathways  Grab a pathways map and visit the birding, history, kayak and trail sites located throughout the county. The map is also located at www.aransaspathways.com.

Boat Birding Tours Take a 3 to 4 hour birding tour and discover the shore birds in our area. There are several birding boats operating from the area. Information available at the Visitors Center.

Visit Aransas Wildlife Refuge Voted the #1 birding refuge by USA Today readers, it is a not-to miss adventure when in the area. Remember to visit the Rockport-Fulton area each winter from November through March as the Whooping Cranes return to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge from their summer homes in Canada. The cranes are only a short drive (about 40 minutes) from the Rockport-Fulton area. Cranes may be viewed from the Refuge, but for dramatic views of the cranes in their natural surroundings, boat trips are best. There are several birding boats operating from the area, it is possible to see a great many wintering and resident birds along with the cranes. For more information about the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and all that it offers, call (361) 286-3559. For more information about birding trips by boat, call the Chamber Visitor Center (361) 729-6445.