BugFest, one of North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ most popular festivals, is returning to Downtown Raleigh on Saturday, September 19, 2026, 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.
Crawl, climb and creep your way through more than 100 exhibits, crafts, games and activities that celebrate the fascinating world of arthropods.
This year, BugFest spotlights hoppers — plant, leaf and tree.
Pick the brains of entomologists and other scientists about all things bugs.
Satisfy your curiosity and your appetite with buggy culinary creations at Café Insecta. Learn about the local restaurants that are being adventurous and crafting dishes that include insects!
Enjoy science talks and live music throughout the day.
Find a full list of exhibits and activities here
Accessibility
Drop-off area, accessibility tent, sighted guides, and ASL and blind-deaf interpreters are available upon request. Accessible bathrooms, family restrooms, a nursing room, a quiet room and assisted listening devices are also on-site.
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
Take a look at a few upcoming festivals:
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
11 W Jones St
Raleigh, NC
