CROSSLAKE, MN
JUNE 26-27, 2026
Welcome to the third annual Loons & Lakes Festival!
Join the National Loon Center in celebrating Minnesota’s treasured loons and lakes with a weekend of fun, free events in Crosslake! Beginning on Friday, June 26, join the National Loon Center for a Lake Day with guided paddle excursions and educational loon-watching pontoon tours. The next day, head over to the Crosslake Town Square to check out the Loon Fair – a social gathering of vendors and exhibitors featuring an art market, presentations, and food trucks. The Town Square will feature family activities throughout the day, and live music in the gazebo to send off the night! We hope to see you there!
Event Schedule
Stay tuned for more details as we continue to update the festival schedule in preparation for summer!
Lake Day
Friday, June 26
8:00 - 10:00 am | Cross Lake
Join a guided loon-watching paddle to see loons just as their chicks are hatching or about to hatch!
Sign Up Here
Loon Pontoon Tours
8, 9, 10, 11 am | Cross Lake
Come aboard the Loon Pontoon to see live loons on a guided tour of Cross Lake!
Sign Up Here
Guided Bird Walk
8:00-10:00 am | Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area
Get your birding fix in with Brainerd Audubon Society and Bee-Nay-She Bird Society! Stay tuned for more details.
Sign Up Here
Pine River Paddle
1:00-3:00 pm | Pine River Rock Dam
Float down the Pine River with Crow Wing Paddlers!
Sign Up Here
Shoreline Cleanup
10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Whitefish Chain
Join us for a volunteer shoreline cleanup to keep the Whitefish Chain looking spiffy and a special thank you picnic to follow! Sign Up Here
Loon Photography Tour
6:00-8:00 pm | Cross Lake Recreation Area
Come aboard the Loon Pontoon to polish your loon photography skills with Brandi Grahl!
Sign Up Here
Loon Moon Paddle
9:00 - 11:00 pm | Cross Lake
Join outdoors champion and former MN State Senator Carrie Ruud for a paddle under the night sky!
Sign Up Here
Loon Day
Saturday, June 27
14303 Gould Street, Crosslake, MN 56442
Food trucks will be on site from 11 am to 4 pm.
Loon Fair
10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Town Square
A social gathering of more than 40 vendors and exhibitors in the name of conservation and celebration of our natural resources!
10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Town Square
Pick up your Migration Passport and a map at the Nest in Town Square and visit booths, businesses, and Loon Game stations around the square to get your passport stamped. Turn in your completed possport for a cool prize in the Nest!
8, 9, 10, 11 am | Cross Lake
Come aboard the Loon Pontoon to see live loons on a guided tour of Cross Lake!
Loon Games
10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Town Square & Legacy Gardens
Stay tuned for more information
Presented by Crosslake-Ideal Lions Club
6:00 - 8:00 pm | Legacy Gardens
Music by the Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboys
The Legacy Gardens in the Crosslake Town Square will be packed with people gathered in the name of conservation! Come and join them in this beautiful setting as we celebrate loons and lakes together.
Exhibitors
Black Loon Studio
Brainerd Lakes Area Audubon Society
Brandi Grahl
Brine’s Fine Honeys
Crow Wing SWCD
DNR Loon Restoration Project
DNR Watercraft Inspection
Emily Mine Information Group
Freshwater Society
Friends of the BWCA
Fusion Face Painting
Great Roots
Happy Dancing Turtle
Initiative Foundation
International Wolf Center
LeafFilter Gutter Protection
Long Lake Conservation Center
Minnesota Loon Rescue/GCOLA
Minnesota Mycological Society
Minnesota Zoo
MN Lakes & Rivers Advocates
MPCA Get the Lead Out
National Eagle Center
National Ruby-throated Hummingbird Center
Northland Arboretum
Northern Waters Land Trust
Osprey Wilds
Pheasants Forever
RALALA
Starry Skies North
Teaki Garcia Art Activation
The PowerLoon
Trout Unlimited Headwaters Chapter 642
University of MN – Hansen Lab
WAPOA
Wondertrek
Sponsorship Levels
Interested in sponsoring the Loons & Lakes Festival? Contact us at info@nationallooncenter.org for more information on sponsorships.
Tremolo
- Free exclusive large exhibit space at Festival to promote business
- Large logo on printed Festival banners as exclusive lead sponsor
- Online, radio, and print editorial mentions and interviews as lead sponsor
- Logo on all print/digital advertisements leading to event
- Website, radio, social media, and flyers as listed below
Yodel
- Free 10×10 exhibit space at Festival to promote business
- Small logo on all print/digital advertisements leading to event
- Logo included in promotional flyers distributed prior and at the event
- Website, radio, email, social media, and flyers as listed below
- Featured sponsor interviews and recorded segments
Wail
- Printed name on flyers and print/digital ads leading to event
- Website with schedule includes printed mention and link
- Radio and social media mentions leading to event
- Included link in promotional emails to supporters
Hoot
- Name included in festival promotion in NLC’s email newsletter
- Name included on Loons & Lakes Festival webpage
Tremolo Sponsors
Yodel Sponsors
Wail Sponsors
Key Wellness
MPCA Get the Lead Out
Waters-Edge Realty Group
Hoot Sponsors
Fiber Loons Podcast
National Ruby-throated Hummingbird Center
RALALA
Squirrelly Mama / Shoppe 218
Lodging in the Brainerd Lakes Area
There are many family-friendly lodging options in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Check out the Explore Brainerd Lakes directory of lodging options, which provides a map to help you select lodging in the heart of Lakes Country. A few great options right in Crosslake include Whitefish Lodge and Suites, Manhattan Beach Lodge, Pine Peaks Lodge and Suites, and Boyd Lodge. Crosslake Vacation Rentals has great options for groups and families! See you in Crosslake!
Dining Options in Crosslake
There are great options for food and drink in the Crosslake Town Square. Rafferty’s serves excellent pizza and sandwiches just steps from the lovely Town Square Gazebo. Check out the Explore Crosslake directory of dining options throughout the area.