Strut, Squawk, Repeat: New York’s First Pigeon Impersonation Pageant Is Here

Tired of the same old summer festivals, farmers markets, and hiking trails? Are you looking for a day trip that’s equal parts offbeat, artistic, and surprisingly educational?

NYC has just the thing, and it involves the city's most iconic bird: pigeons. That’s right, the High Line is hosting a full-blown Pigeon Fest this June, and it’s weird in all the right ways. From live music to puppet shows to a pigeon impersonation pageant (yes, seriously), this free event might be the most delightfully odd reason to leave Central New York and head downstate this summer.

NYC’s Quirkiest Summer Festival is for the Birds

Happening Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 12 to 8 p.m. on the High Line in Manhattan, this free, feather-filled celebration blends urban wildlife, public art, music, and just the right amount of New York weirdness to make it worth the drive.

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It’s all happening in celebration of National Pigeon Appreciation Day and a brand-new 17-foot-tall aluminum pigeon sculpture called Dinosaur by artist Iván Argote. Because if any bird deserves a statue in New York, it’s the one dodging taxis, strutting through subway platforms, and surviving off pizza crusts like a true hustler.

So, what exactly happens at Pigeon Fest? Glad you asked.

• A Pigeon Impersonation Pageant at 2 p.m. will crown NYC’s best bird look-alike based on strut, squawk, and style.
• Family-friendly highlights include a puppet show, face painting, pigeon-themed carnival games, piñata parties, and a zany “Coop Carnival.”
• Panel discussions dig into urban ecology, with experts like Christian Cooper (of birding-in-Central-Park fame) talking about how to make cities more livable for birds and humans alike.
• Interactive art stations let you make zines, decorate buttons, and even pitch your own “alternative monuments” to overlooked heroes of the city.
• Bookworms rejoice with NYPL storytimes, zine workshops, and a curated collection of pigeon-themed books and gifts at the on-site Lofty Pigeon Books pop-up.
• A live concert from 5:30–8 p.m., curated by The Birdsong Project, closes out the day with music inspired by nature and city life.

Plus, the Discovery Fair offers hands-on activities, exhibits, and creative workshops in a way that’s both fun and engaging. Whether you're into nature, art, science, or just curious to learn something new, it’s a can’t-miss part of the festival experience.

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And let’s be honest: if you’ve ever complained about pigeons on a NYC sidewalk, this event might just change your mind. Pigeon Fest is part celebration, part re-education, and part quirky summer fun. It’s a chance to see the city in a new way, through the eyes of a bird that’s seen it all.