BugFest, one of North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ most popular festivals, is returning to Downtown Raleigh on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The festival will include both indoor and outdoor activities. Indoor activities will be located in the Nature Exploration Center (NEC) and Nature Research Center (NRC). Outdoor activities will be located along Jones Street, Edenton Street, and in the Bicentennial Plaza.
Fall is looking great around the Triangle, whether you’re looking for something spooky or totally kid-friendly! Check out our HUGE list of fall festivals, as well as our list of Raleigh area haunted trails and pumpkin patches, hayrides and corn mazes! We have also put together a big list of Halloween events and Trick or Treat events!
The largest bug-centered event of its kind in the country, BugFest educates and engages the public in science and the natural world. Participate in more than 100 exhibits, crafts, games and activities as you interact with entomologists and other scientists while learning about the fascinating world of insects.
This year, BugFest spotlights Lepidoptera — butterflies and moths.
Exhibits and Activities at BugFest
Ant Lab
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Come visit the Evolutionary Biology & Behavior Lab, also known as Ant Lab on YouTube! Learn about our research, the entomology videos we make, and meet some of the researchers and insects that inhabit the lab.
BASF – We Create Chemistry
BASF Corporation
Welcome to BASF – where we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Visit our displays, learn about crop protection and how we also protect health and home. While you’re here, show your support for pollinators and come see our live monarch butterflies!
Beautiful Bugs! Mixed Media Painting Demonstration
Stacy Lewis Studio
Stacy Lewis will be demonstrating mixed media techniques to create colorful, textured paintings of butterflies, dragonflies and other artistic arthropods.
Beekeeping and Honey Bee Education
5 County Beekeepers Association
The 5 County Beekeepers Association (5CBA) is a volunteer club that promotes beekeeping and honey bee education. We are a chapter of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association.
Bug Crafts!
Mayhem Magnolia
There will be space and materials to sit and color bug pictures, read bug books, or learn to crochet a bug! Handmade invertebrate stuffed animals will be available to purchase.
Bugs and Biomimicry: How Bugs Inspire Human Design
Leigh Aultman, Biomimicry Educator
Learn how nature can inspire sustainable designs by exploring the fascinating world of insects’ adaptations.
Bug-Themed Hair Accessories
Erin Alicia Studio
You will find handmade bug-themed hair accessories for girls of all ages. Featuring bugs like butterflies, spiders, and spider webs.
Butterfly Metamorphosis: Up-Close and Personal
Science Learning Resources, Inc.
A children’s book incorporating microscopic observations of the Painted Lady Butterfly life cycle will be available for viewing and sale. The story line involves playful anthropomorphic expressions of the mind of the organism at different stages of metamorphosis.
Buzzing Hives: Unveiling the World of Beekeeping
Wake County Beekeepers Association
Step into the fascinating world of beekeeping and discover the secrets of these
industrious pollinators. Explore our exhibit to learn about the art of beekeeping,
witness the process of honey production, and get up close with common
tools such as bee suits, smokers, and hive frames used by beekeepers to nurture
and protect their buzzing companions.
Caterpillarology
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Come see and learn about the amazing variety of caterpillars found in North Carolina and the plants they like to eat. See crazy-looking caterpillars like monkey slugs, spicebush swallowtails, and (hopefully, if we’re lucky enough to find one) an imperial!
Children’s Books & Science Kits
PaperPie
Find fun and educational children’s books, puzzles, games, and science kits from Usborne Publishing, Kane Miller Publishing, and SmartLab Toys!
Exploring the World of Butterflies
Heritage High School FFA Chapter
Enjoy crafting with fun butterfly finger crafts and colorful butterfly clips, perfect for kids and adults.
Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Wake County
Gardening advice for homeowners and insect activities for the young.
Paint Savvy Face Painters
Paint Savvy
Paint Savvy provides elaborate but quick face painting and airbrush tattoos. Creative and custom work to meet the theme! Fee.
Bug Bites! Bite Them Before They Bite You! (5pm-7pm)
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Come join us for a meet-and-eat! See bugs cooked right before your eyes and sample some delicious buggy treats.
Café Insecta
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Celebrate entomophagy (bug eating) at Café Insecta! Sample bug-filled dishes prepared by local chefs and vote on your favorite dish! 10:30am-3pm (or while supplies last).
Forest Insects – Native and Invasive
NC State Forest Health Lab
Make your own button while learning about native and invasive insects affecting the health of our forests.
Insect Photography and Electronics
Entomopixel
Application of photography and electronics in the appreciation, education and investigation of insects.
Jewelry from Nature
Copper Ashes
I make copper jewelry that incorporates crystals, shells, organics, and real ethically sourced bones, crab shells, and insects (dragonflies, cicadas, butterflies, moths, bees, and whatever I happen to find). All these things are encased within the copper through the process of electroplating and turned into wearable art.
Lepidopteran Collections
Naturalist Center, NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Come view a spectacular collection of butterflies and moths! What can we learn from these collections? Why are these specimen collections so important? We’ll have Insect pinning demos so you can learn how to start your own collection.
Lepidopteran Jewelry!
Stacy Lee Gallery
Butterflies, moths & beetles, oh my! We have wings from all the things, set as earrings or pendants. Come find out how insect farming helps conserve the rainforest and pick up a new statement piece.
Lepidopterans of the Eno
Eno River Association
Learn about the many moths and butterflies that live around the Eno River and rely on it for their survival!
Lifestyles of the Small and Squishy: Caterpillars with Strange Habits
City of Raleigh
Leaf-mining insect larvae live in the tiny, thin space inside a leaf and gall-making insects make controlled tumors on their plants, living inside and getting fresh food and shelter. In this exhibit, live and preserved leaf-miners, gall-makers, and other crazy larval lifestyles will be on display (including moths, flies, and other arthropods).
Mesmerizing Insect Photos
William Fisher Photography
Close-up photos of insects and lots of insect jewelry.
Museum Membership
Friends of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Purchase or renew your membership at BugFest or online September 1–14 with code “Butterfly24” and receive a free BugFest T-shirt on the day of the event!
Native Butterflies and Bees of NC
NC State Pollinator Researchers
Learn about the native butterflies and bees of North Carolina and meet some of these amazing pollinators up close!
NC State Arthropod Zoo
NCSU Entomology Graduate Student Association
Entomology graduate students from NC State will bring live arthropods, pinned specimens, and will be selling bug-themed merchandise.
NCDA&CS Structural Pest Control and Pesticide Division
Meet the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Structural Pest Control and Pesticide Division. Our Mission is to protect public health, safety and welfare, and the environment; support continued availability of stable, high-quality supplies of food, fiber, and forest products as it relates to pest control, pesticides, and bedding manufacturing and sales.
Pollinators and Pests
Center for Integrated Pest Management
Adult butterflies and moths are important pollinators of flowering plants in wild ecosystems and managed systems such as parks and landscapes. However, their larvae require host plants and may be a serious pest in the garden and food production.
Quiet Space
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Our quiet space is an area where visitors can take a break from the events and activities. This space is sectioned off and available for visitors with anxiety, stress, and sensory overstimulation. Guests are also provided with sensory toys, coloring pages, books, and noise-canceling headphones (upon request). People of all ages and abilities are welcome to take advantage of our quiet space.
Steam Forged Studios
Steam Forged Studios specializes in handmade Steampunk, Fantasy, Pirate, Anime, and Sci-Fi items. We also produce many styles and sizes of Beaded Spiders.
Watch Your Savings Grow!
State Employees Credit Union
Our booth will consist of a variety of bug-fest related youth financial education materials, highlighting the growth of your savings.
Performances and Presentations
WRAL 3D Theater — 1st Floor, Nature Exploration Center
5:00pm: Mothra (1961, 1 hour, 41 minutes)
An expedition to Infant Island uncovers a native tribe and twin tiny fairy priestesses of a mythical deity, who sets out to rescue the pair after they are kidnapped by a greedy businessman.
SECU Daily Planet Theater — Floors 1-3, Nature Research Center
11am: Gardening for Caterpillars
Louise Romanow; Extension Master Gardeners of Wake County
Support a strong ecosystem. Choose trees, shrubs, and garden plants that caterpillars depend on. Reduce insecticide use and appreciate the bugs. Insects are a vital food source for birds, reptiles, and more. And enjoy seeing butterflies and moths around you.
All ages
12:30pm: Biodiversity On The Wing! Insects in Slow Motion Flight
Dr. Adrian Smith, NC Museum of Natural Sciences; Ant Lab
Butterflies and moths are some of the most spectacular insect fliers! Come check out this presentation highlighting these and other insects captured in-flight, in slow motion!
All Ages
2:00pm: Caterpillarology
Melissa Dowland, NC Museum of Natural Sciences
It’s been said that “the caterpillar does all the work, but the butterfly gets all the publicity” (George Carlin). Not this time! Learn all about caterpillars – their amazing ability to eat (and poop), the transformations they go through as they grow, the ways they defend themselves from hungry predators, and the incredible variety of colors and shapes they come in.
All Ages
Main Stage — Edenton Street
10:30am: Monometrics
Established in 2022, Monometrics is a five piece band based out of the Triangle playing original tunes, covering funk and soul staples, and putting their own groovy twist on well-loved country classics.
Noon: Old Play
Based in the Raleigh/Durham/Cary area, Old Play has been performing crowd-pleasing rock classics, 80’s alternative, and dance tunes for over 8 years. Old Play shows are high-energy entertainment featuring some of the most loved songs of the past 4 decades, from AC/DC to ZZ Top, and everything in between! You’re sure to be dancing, singing along, air-drumming, or fist-pumping as Old Play belts out their diverse repertoire – which may even include a little country!
1:30pm: The Cheeze Factor Band
We are The Cheeze Factor!! Hailing from hot and humid North Carolina! We are the band that brings the fun! Drawing on music from the early days of MTV, like Billy Idol, The Go Go’s, B-52’s, KISS, Bon Jovi, Loverboy you get the idea! The Cheeze Factor will have everyone singing and dancing all night long!
3:00pm: Loos Change
Loos Change is an acoustic quartet based in Raleigh that plays a wide range of material from the 1960s to today. From the British invasion to Americana, classic country, R&B, and pure pop, Loos Change has something for everybody.
4:30pm: The Solutions Band
The BASF Band is a local RTP group that was formed in 2019 to provide musical entertainment for BASF employee events and select community events. They play a collection of party songs from the 60s to the 90s, that are bound to get everyone up and dancing. The band consists of vocalists, guitarists, bass, drummer, saxophone, harmonica and other guest instruments. This band creates musical chemistry!
6:00pm: Komodo
Komodo is a progressive rock/metal band who incorporates funky jams, eclectic guests, and a reptilian nature into their music and performances.
Accessibility and Information
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
BugFest for everyone! The tent is where you’ll find courtesy manual wheelchairs, noise cancelling headphones, sighted guides, maps, event information and more.
Quiet Room
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
The quiet room is a place to escape the busyness and energy of the event. Come enjoy quiet play and take a break!
The quiet room is sponsored by the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation.
For more accessibility needs, including sighted guides, ASL interpreters, accessible restrooms, and more, please visit the accessibility page.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Festivals
Check out a list of fall festivals in the Triangle, or take a look at a few upcoming festivals:
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
11 W Jones St
Raleigh, NC
