Hoot, hoot, hooray! Where to celebrate Superb Owl Sunday in Pennsylvania

From kid-friendly events, to brunches, to nighttime “owl prowls,” owl enthusiasts will have multiple opportunities to celebrate Superb Owl Sunday in Pennsylvania, on game day and throughout the remainder of February.

Are you looking forward to Sunday, and if so, are you excited about football or birds of prey? 

Super Bowl Sunday shares a day with Superb Owl Sunday — that typo-derived holiday honoring the most majestic of birds: The owl. 

Did you know that eight different species of owls make Pennsylvania their home? Some are permanent residents, like the Eastern screech-owl, while others are migratory visitors, like the snowy owl. Whether or not you plan to watch Super Bowl XVIII, you can celebrate Superb Owl Sunday by attending owl-themed activities or simply taking a guided night walk (often called an “owl prowl” by park rangers) to spot the birds in the wild. 

We’ve put together a list of events across Pennsylvania honoring the humble owl. Some are on Super Bowl Sunday, while others allow you to extend your owl appreciation throughout February. We’re sure your Superb Owl Sunday will be a hoot!

Owl Prowl at Samuel S. Lewis State Park – York (York County)

Park staff will give a brief talk about the wonderful world of owls before leading an easy hike through the Samuel S. Lewis State Park pine trees. The program and hike are intended for adults and older children. Registration is not required. 

Date: Saturday

Cost: Free

Superb Owl Brunch at The Thirsty Dice – Philadelphia

The Thirsty Dice, a Philly board game café, is hosting an owl-themed brunch to celebrate Superb Owl Sunday. Food and drink specials will be available throughout the day, and brunch items include options such as “bird’s nest eggs benedict” (poached eggs in potato nests) and “feathered avocado toast” (mashed avocado on sourdough with microgreen garnish). Plus, you’ll have your choice of entertainment via the wide board game library — Wingspan, anyone?

Date: Sunday

Cost: Varies by menu item; board game library passes are $7 per person for two hours

Will You Be My Owl-entine? Children’s Event at Craighead House – Carlisle (Cumberland County)

This children’s program at Craighead House in Carlisle is geared towards kids ages 5 through 10, who can spend their Superb Owl Sunday morning learning all about native owls. Participants will also make nature crafts and read a book together. Register on the Craighead House website.

Date: Sunday

Cost: Free

Owl Prowl at Susquehannock State Park – Drumore (Lancaster County)

Susquehannock State Park will host an owl prowl event beginning with a short talk about owls that will culminate in a night walk to listen for these elusive birds. The program and hike are intended for adults and older children. Registration is not required.

Date: Friday, Feb. 16

Cost: Free

Winter Night Hike at Pymatuning State Park – Jamestown (Crawford County)

The Pymatuning State Park naturalist will host a night hike that will give you a chance to hear an owl call. Registration is required; information is available on the park event webpage.

Date: Friday, Feb. 16

Cost: Free

Women in the Wild Owl Prowl at Evansburg State Park – Collegeville (Montgomery County)

This event, part of a series to provide space for women in outdoor activities, will have participants warming up with hot cocoa, learning about owls, and trekking through Evansburg State Park to search for these nocturnal birds. Registration is required; more information is available on the park event webpage.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 17

Cost: Free

Paint Owls at Painting with a Twist – Skippack (Montgomery County)

Painting with a Twist offers BYOB painting programs, and this month, one of the paintings at the Skippack studio features owls. You’ll be able to paint an acrylic scene of two owls in love with guidance from a painting instructor.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 17

Cost: $40 per person

Make a Stained Glass Owl at The Glass Turtle Studio – Hanover (York County)

The Glass Turtle Studio in Hanover hosts beginner-friendly stained glass classes where participants learn all about how to create their own stained glass masterpieces. You’ll cut, shape, and solder glass into a piece of art. One February course is focused on creating a stained glass owl that you can hang in your window to catch the light.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 17

Cost: $65

Owl Prowl with the Park Rangers at White Oak Park – White Oak (Allegheny County)

White Oak Park, located near McKeesport, will host a two-mile moderate hike led by park rangers on the evening of February 18. Rangers will help hikers search for owls; flashlights will be provided. Register for the owl prowl through Allegheny County Parks.

Date: Sunday, Feb. 18

Cost: $5 for ages 5 and older

Amazing Owls Children’s Event at Carroll Valley Library – Fairfield (Adams County)

The Amazing Owls event at the Carroll Valley Library is meant for children ages 5 through 10. Kids will learn all about owls, how they live in the wild, and their importance to ecosystems. Register through the library.

Date: Thursday, Feb. 22

Cost: Free

Owl Prowl at Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education – Philadelphia

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education will host a family-friendly, owl-focused night hike on Feb. 23. Participants will first learn about owl behavior before grabbing flashlights and taking to the trails to seek out these somewhat mysterious birds. Be sure to register for the hike to reserve your spot.

Date: Friday, Feb. 23

Cost: $20

Owl Prowl at Vosburg Neck State Park – Tunkhannock (Wyoming County)

Vosburg Neck State Park, located in NEPA, will host an owl prowl for teens and adults. Participants will learn about the lives of owls before embarking on a night walk to see if they can locate any  birds of prey. You can bring a flashlight or headlamp, but you may need to turn it off to protect your night vision. (Red lights are best for allowing one to see while preserving night vision!) Registration is required; more information is available on the park event webpage.

Date: Friday, February 23

Cost: Free

Cost: $74

Owl Prowl with the Park Rangers at Deer Lakes Park – Tarentum (Allegheny County)

The Allegheny County Park Rangers will host a two-mile owl prowl at Deer Lakes Park, just northeast of Pittsburgh. Flashlights will be provided for the moderate hike. Register through Allegheny County Parks.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 24

Cost: Starting at $5

Owl Prowl with the Park Rangers at Settlers Cabin Park – Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)

Park rangers will guide a group of hikers along a two- to three-mile moderate night hike in Settlers Cabin Park. Flashlights will be provided to help you keep your footing as you seek out owls. Register for the owl prowl through Allegheny County Parks.

Date: Sunday, Feb. 25

Cost: Starting at $5

Owl Encounter at the National Aviary – Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)

The owl experience at Pittsburgh’s National Aviary, the country’s largest aviary, is offered each day. You can arrange to meet an owl with your family and the owl keeper, the aviary’s aviculturist. Learn interesting facts about owls — like how and why they can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees — and even hold an owl on your gloved hand.

Date: Daily when the National Aviary is open