Two children race each other by rolling large 'dung balls' down a grass track.

Important Closure Notice

During the Evening Insectival (5pm-7pm), the Nature Research Center, the Nature Exploration Center’s 2nd-4th floors, and some of the outdoor stations will be closed. The majority of the outdoor stations and the 1st floor of the Nature Exploration Center will remain open until 7pm.

View Event Map


Outside


10am–7pm

NCMNS

Accessibility and Information

Visit the Accessibility tent to check out wheelchairs, sensory-friendly bags, and receive information about other accommodations at the Museum.


10am–7pm

Wake County Beekeepers Association

A Day for a Honeybee Hive

Explore educational exhibits and activities to learn about honeybees and their role in nature.


10am–5pm

Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Wake County

Advice to Grow By

Get gardening advice and participate in insect education and activities for the young.


10am–5pm

NCMNS

Arthropod Olympics

Become an Arthropod Olympian! Compete in Dung Ball, Ant, and Bee races to win a medal and all the glory a bug deserves.


10am–5pm

BASF Corporation

BASF Corporation

Pop in the butterfly tent to interact with live insects at the BASF Corporation booth. Enjoy demo stations to learn more about BASF’s research and products, that showcase agricultural protection strategies for the love of farming!


10am–7pm

NCMNS

Battling Beetles

Delve into the violent world of large scarab beetles. Learn how males duke it out to win the favor of a female. Test your beetle ID skills at the beetle spinner game!


10am–5pm

5 County Beekeepers Association

Beekeeping and Honey Bee Education

Meet the 5 County Beekeepers Association (5CBA), a chapter of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association. This volunteer organization promotes beekeeping and honeybee education.


10am–7pm

NCMNS

Bug Bounce and Super Slide Inflatables

From hop to jump, kids will delight in bouncing like a cricket and whooshing like a dragonfly in the fabulous inflatables!


10am–5pm

The Scrap Exchange

Buggy Make-N-Take

Make art, not trash by using preloved, recycled materials. The team of expert scrappers will guide crafters in making their creations and will teach about creative reuse of materials to save items from the landfill.


10am–5pm

Erin Alicia Studio

Bug-Themed Hair Accessories

Shop handmade, bug-themed hair accessories for girls of all ages, including clips, hairbands, and hats.


 

Café Insecta

Get your own taste of entomophagy — the practice of eating bugs! Try bug-filled dishes prepared by local chefs


10am–5pm

NCMNS

Caterpillarology

Come learn about the amazing variety of caterpillars found in North Carolina and the plants they like to eat. See crazy-looking caterpillars and the masters of disguise- we love them all!


10am–7pm

PaperPie

Children’s Books & Science Kits

Find fun and educational children’s books, puzzles, games, and science kits from Usborne Publishing, Kane Miller Publishing, and SmartLab Toys.


10am–7pm

Copper Ashes

Jewelry from Nature

Nature inspired jewelry with copper and real ethically sourced insects, foliage, crab claws/shells, oddities, bones, shells, crystals, and fossils. Each piece of jewelry is handmade and completely unique.


10am–7pm

North Carolina State University Student Fisheries Society

Crawfish Quest

Learn about what freshwater arthropods live in North Carolina waters from NCSU student fisheries society. Observe real native crawfish you would find in your own backyard, then construct the perfect habitat for your own crawfish friend with our build-a-habitat ink pad craft station.


10am–5pm

Mayhem Magnolia

Crochet Bug Adoption

Bring nature into your living room in a soft and cozy way. Crochet arthropods are available for sale.


10am–5pm

Doodlebugs Chalk Art

Doodlebugs Chalk Art

Observe local artist Paul Dumlao as he creates giant colorful illustrations of marine arthropods from around the world, using vibrant chalk pastels. Try to guess the names of the creatures he’s drawing, or create your own masterpiece in the kids’ chalking area.


10am–5pm

Durham County Library

Durham County Library

Check out resources on the library, as well as bug booklists and a fun bug-related activity!


10am–5pm

Vesal Cuts Paper

Entomology without Death

A series of work created from 2D and 3D layered paper cut art. Each pieces is made from 1-100 layers of paper.


10am–5pm

Murphy’s Naturals

Murphy’s Naturals

Based locally in Raleigh, Murphy’s Naturals is on a mission to help more people enjoy the outdoors through creating natural insect repellent and relief products. We formulate all our products with responsibility-sourced, plant-based ingredients because we believe that bugs are great to have around, just not on you.


10am–7pm

Stacy Lee Gallery

Ethically Sourced Insect Wing Jewelry

Showcasing intricate patterns, iridescent tones, and the delicate magic of the natural world, each insenct wing is a natural work of art. Lightweight yet durable, they’re a striking blend of organic beauty and modern craftsmanship — preserving nature’s fragile beauty in wearable form.


10am–7pm

Paint Savvy Entertainers

Face Painting

Get your face painted or an airbrush or glitter tattoo.


10am–5pm

NC State University

Fly Mind Control: How do neurons produce

Believe it or not, the tiny fruit fly has lots to teach us about how brains work.


10am–5pm

NC State Forest Health Lab

Forest Pests in NC

Join for activities and information centered around forest insects in North Carolina brought to you by the students that study them.


10am–5pm

The Artsy Arthropod

Framed Insects and Jarred Insect Wings

Find unique gifts and decor here! Real insects are artfully preserved and displayed by an entomologist.


10am–5pm

Franklin County Beekeepers Association

Franklin County Beekeepers Association

Meet this non-profit organization of beekeepers to learn more about bees.


10am–7pm

La Chicharra

Handmade Art & Accessories

Discover handmade items, inspired by and created with nature. Shop for fine art, home goods, accessories, and more.


10am–7pm

NCMNS

Krillin It

The biggest animal in the world-the Blue Whale- eats one of the smallest-krill. Its not the only krill-eater! Test your knowledge of the food chain to see if you can figure out some other fans of these tasty critters.


10am–7pm

LadyTakas

LadyTakas

Handmade and hand dyed items such as home goods, hair accessories, and fine art. Using a variety of techniques like ice dyeing, natural dyeing, eco-printing, flower hammering, hand embroidery, and block/lino printing. These goods highlight nature’s beauty and slow processes.


Main Stage

Move and groove to some incredible music. Check the main stage schedule so you don’t miss a minute of the action!


10am–7pm

Natural Math Alliance

Math Makers Neighborhood

Math friends and neighbors from around the Triangle are having a party, and you are invited! Explore the “M” in STEM with a variety of local organizations and playful activities for all ages. Discover how math connects us all—students, families, teachers, and communities.


10am–5pm

Friends of the NCMNS

Museum Membership

Museum Members, pick up your VIP passes to enjoy your day-of perks. If you purchase or renew your membership at BugFest or online September 1–20 with code “Krill25”, receive a FREE BugFest T-shirt on the day of the event! Stop by to learn more about amazing Member benefits.


NCMNS

Museum T-shirt Sales

Get your 2025 BugFest t-shirt, featuring our theme arthropod—KRILL! Vintage shirts will also be available for purchase.


10am–5pm

NC State Pollinator Researchers

Native Butterflies and Bees of NC

Learn about the native butterflies and bees of North Carolina. See these amazing pollinators up close.


10am–5pm

Alonso Stepanova Lab, North Carolina State University

Plants4Kids

Join this NC State Research group to discover how plant friends and foes influence plant growth and development. Learn how they interface with the bug world, as plants provide us with food, clothes, medicines, clean air, and building materials.


10am–7pm

Reborn Taxidermy

Reborn Taxidermy

Giving insects a second life. All real bugs, preserved flowers and crystals!


10am–7pm

NCMNS- Teen programs

Roachingham 500 Cockroach Races

Cheer for your favorite roach as they race along Roachingham 500, then test your knowledge while playing Buggy Bingo!


10am–7pm

 

Sandsational Sand Sculpture

Check out this year’s sand sculpture. Great photo opportunity!


10am–5pm

Carolina Habitats

Southeastern Native Plants for Sale

Selling southeastern native plants that promote pollinators along with nursery grown native carnivorous plants. Purchases can be held for pick up on your way out.


10am–7pm

NCMNS

Stag Beetle Battles

The battles begin! Jump into a stag beetle costume and enter the arena. See if you can triumph over your friend and win the day.


10am–5pm

Taurean Treasures

Taurean Treasures

Unique terrariums, shadow boxes, and collages with preserved lepidoptera and upcycled materials. Treasures that will add whimsy and natural beauty to any space!


10am–7pm

Allison Stoiser Art

The Caterpillar’s Pajamas: Wildlife Art​

Offering stationery, home goods, and accessories for purchase. Featuring the artwork of wildlife and natural history illustrator Allison Stoiser.


10am–5pm

Holly Springs School Of Dance

The Life Cycle Of A Caterpillar

Explore “The Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle through creative movement.


10am–7pm

The Xerces Society

Xerces Society

Learn about invertebrate conservation from this non-profit organization.


NEC 1


10am–5pm

Paint Savvy Entertainers

Airbrushing

Get your face painted or an airbrush or glitter tattoo.


10am–5pm

Stacy Lewis Studio

Artsy Arthropods! Mixed Media Painting Demo

Demonstrating mixed media techniques to create colorful, textured arthropod paintings using an exciting variety of repurposed and textured elements.


10am–7pm

Avian and Exotic Animal Care

Avian and Exotic Animal Care

Dedicated to exotic animals, this veterinary practice is excited to share their passion of caring for all animals — including creepy crawlies! They’re happy to discuss animal care and potential veterinary needs.


10am–7pm

Love Gaia

Bugscapes: Tiny Gardens, Tiny Creatures

Discover miniature worlds where plants and arthropods thrive in harmony. Featuring terrariums and kokedama inspired by the textures, colors, and habitats of various insects and more.


10am–7pm

NCMNS

Cool Crustaceans

Explore the diversity of crustaceans — from our backyards to the bottom of the sea.


10am–7pm

NCMNS

Crayfish Escape Artists

Did you know crayfish have some of the fastest reflexes in the animal kingdom? Test your skills against these amazing crustaceans!


10am–7pm

NCMNS

Heroic Horseshoe Crabs

Learn about the amazing Horseshoe Crab and what makes them heroic!


10am–7pm

William Fisher Photography

Mesmerizing Insect Photos
William Fisher Photography

See close ups photos of insect and also insect jewelry.


10am–7pm

Biology Graduate Students

Name That Arthropod!: A Game of Crabs, Spiders, and Sneaky Look-Alikes

Did you know that a horseshoe crab is not a real crab, or that a sea spider is not actually a spider? Come join us to play a fun game, win prizes, and learn the differences between these awesome arthropods!


10am–7pm

The Santa Fe Reptile and Bug Museum

Scorpions and Their Kin

View a variety of scorpions and relative arachnid.


10am–7pm

Steam Forged Studios

Steam Forged Studios

Shop steampunk, anime, and fantasy items. Find unique bug-related steampunk items, beaded spiders, and scorpions.


10am–7pm

The Santa Fe Reptile and Bug Museum

Tarantulas and Other Spiders

See live tarantulas, spiders, a selection of other unusual arachnids.


10am–7pm

NCMNS

What Is a Bug?

That’s a bug?? Here at BugFest, we say that the colloquial term, “bugs,” refers to all arthropods — yes, even crabs, krill, and crayfish! Come learn about the full range of arthropods so that you can fully celebrate the bugs of BugFest.


10am–7pm

NC Entomological Society

Wonderful World of Orthoptera

Leap into the world of Orthoptera and meet some amazing critters! Fly with the grasshoppers, dig with the mole crickets and sing with the katydids.


NEC 2


10am–5pm

Entomopixel LLC

Insect Photography

See how macrophotography and electronics can be used for education, research, and artistic display in the fascinating world of tiny arthropod creatures.


10am–5pm

Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department

Little Critters, Big Splash!

What kinds of bugs live in Raleigh’s streams, ponds, and creeks? Come find out! From wiggly larvae to sneaky crayfish, our local waters are full of cool critters that can help us tell how healthy our water is. Stop by for fun facts, hands-on activities, and a chance to explore the tiny world hiding just beneath the surface!


10am–5pm

NCMNS

Quiet Space

Take a break from events and activities in our quiet space. 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.


10:30am-4pm

NCMNS

The Discovery Room

Aplace for young children to explore. Special buggy activities will be available during BugFest!


10am–5pm

Syngenta

The Interaction Between Insects and Crop Plants

Discover how entomology expertise plays a crucial role in protecting crops to ensure a bountiful and sustainable harvest for farmers worldwide. Learn about Syngenta’s commitment of providing the world with the materials and technologies needed to meet the increasing demand for food.


10am–5pm

NC DEQ Division of Water Resources

Water Quality Detectives: What Bugs Tell Us About Our Streams

Learn about the aquatic bugs you might find in different types of streams! Discover how they relate to water quality.


NEC 3


10am–5pm

NCSU Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Amazing Urban Insects

Visit insects that live in our homes. View research on cockroaches, bed bugs, and other insects found in the urban environment.


10am–5pm

Mad Science

Bugs and Butterflies

Explore the world from a bug’s perspective. Use a microviewer to get an up-close look at various insects to learn about the fascinating life cycles and discovering how they compare to those of other animals.


10am–5pm

SLNC Government and Heritage Library

Bugs and Books with the State Library of NC

Explore the fascinating world of arthropods and their role in our state’s history and culture. Discover native pollinators and their impact on agriculture and ecosystems and learn about the SLNC Seed Library’s resources for supporting local biodiversity.


10am–5pm

Carter Bank

Carter Bank

Fun interactive games and giveaways.


10am–5pm

North Carolina Entomological Society

Create a Termite Trail

Participate in the beloved Termite Trail activity where you draw trails with ordinary pens for termites to follow that mimic termite pheromones. Come have fun learning about the wonders of insect chemical communication!


10am–5pm

NCMNS

Creeping Crawlies (Centipedes and Millipedes)

Information on myriapods (centipedes and millipedes) will be featured.


10am–5pm

NCMNS

Funky Bug Antenna Crowns

Honor our buggy friends by dressing up like one! Make your very own Funky Bug Antenna Crown and proudly display your passion for arthropods.


10am–5pm

City of Raleigh

Leaf-mining and Gall-making Insects of North Carolina

Plants are like hotels, teaming with inhabitants. Discover the fascinating miniature world of leaf-miners and gall-makers. See how these tiny plant-feeding insects change their plants as they feed.


10am–5pm

North Carolina Biodiversity Project

North Carolina Moths

Highlighting the diversity and fascinating ecology of the more than 3,000 moth species found in our state, including many different types of moth caterpillars.


10am–5pm

NCSU Entomology Graduate Student Association

NC State Arthropod Zoo

Demonstrating live arthropods, pinned specimens, and selling bug-themed merchandise from entomology graduate students from NC State.


10am–5pm

NCDA&CS – Structural Pest Control and Pesticide Division

NCDA&CS Structural Pest Control and Pesticide Division

Learn about the Structural Pest Control and Pesticide Division’s mission to protect public health, safety and welfare, and the environment as it relates to pest control and pesticides.


10am–5pm

NCDA&CS Plant Industry

The Invasion Station

Become an Invasive Investigator! Learn how to spot and stop invasive bugs to defend North Carolina’s plants and forests.


10am–5pm

North Carolina State University

The Vampires in our Backyard: Ticks, Mosquitoes, and Other Blood Suckers

Examine blood-sucking arthropods like ticks and mosquitoes. Learn about these important pests and vectors of disease through interactive displays, expert advice, and games.


NEC 4


10am–5pm

Center for Integrated Pest Management

Arthropods of North Carolina: From Shore to Summit

Come explore the amazing insects, crabs, and spiders that live all across North Carolina. From the beach to the mountains, meet the fun creatures that crawl, swim, scuttle, and fly in our state.


10am-5pm

NCMNS

Living Conservatory

Immerse yourself in a Central American tropical dry forest filled with living plants and animals. Encounter butterflies, turtles, tarantulas, snakes and even a two-toed sloth.


10am–5pm

NCMNS

Molting is Not Revolting

Learn about the fascinating process of molting in arthropods! Observe a variety of arthropod molts including several from our American Lobster currently on exhibit. Learn about limb regeneration in arthropods and how molting is an integral part of this unique ability.


10am–5pm

NCMNS

Wings and Stings

Tropical butterfly mounts and pinning demonstration. Parasitic wasps and their relationships with butterflies.


NRC 1


10am-5pm

East Carolina University

Blakeslee Lab: Conservation Biology and Parasite Ecology

Focusing on research being carried out in the Blakeslee lab in the Biology department at East Carolina University. Our research focuses on conservation issues in this era of global change, including species invasions and biodiversity. Highlighting the tools we use to collect our data, and display some of the organisms we research in the lab.


10am–5pm

Carolina Butterfly Society

Carolina Butterfly Society

Come see caterpillars move and eat. You may even see butterflies emerging from their chrysalis.


10am–5pm

NCMNS F&I Unit

Trophic Food Webs

Visit our live brine station, showcasing the life cycle from nauplii to adults. Brine is one of the main sustainable foods that is raised at the Museum and a type of “krill.” Visualize how much krill is consumed by blue whales daily and view different types of krill like pacifica and superba.


10am–5pm

North Carolina State Parks

Water Bugs Help Show Water Health

Try your hand at a game of luck finding water bugs and learn how they help scientist determine the health of a river.


NRC 2


10am–5pm

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: Paleontology Unit

Crayfish Research: Then and Now

Learn how techniques and findings have changed research on Crayfish over the years, and see if you can make some discoveries!


scheduled times

NCMNS Veterinary Sciences

Invertebrate Medicine with the Veterinary Sciences Team

See some captivating, crawling critters at the Windows on Animal Health and learn more about the ever-evolving world of invertebrate veterinary medicine.


10am–5pm

Museum of Life of Science

Meet Some Arthropods!

Meet some arthropods that call the Museum of Life and Science home!


10:30am–4pm

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: Paleontology Unit

Naturalist Center

From whale bones to marine invertebrates the Naturalist Center has it all. Stop by to learn about fossilized sea animals, seashells, whales, and more.


10am–5pm

PedeMyPants

Pinned Bugs and Other Art!

Want to take a piece of BugFest home? Stop by to check out an assortment of pinned and beautifully displayed arthropods, along with other handcrafted critter-themed art such as paintings, jewelry, artistic prints, and more!


10am–5pm

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: Paleontology Unit

Prehistoric Crustaceans

Highlighting ancient relatives of today’s crabs, crawdads, and barnacles — crustacean fossils from the Museum’s collections. Paleontologists will be on hand to discuss the specimens and answer questions.


10am–5pm

NC 529

Tiny Bugs, Big Futures

Coloring and bug themed activity pages, allowing parents and families to gather information about saving for future educational expenses with a NC 529 plan.


NRC 3


10am–5pm

NCMNS

Ant Lab

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.


10am–5pm

Microbiology GSA at NCSU

Bug in a Bug

Presenting how microbes (sometimes known as bugs) in bug guts give them cool abilities and superpowers!


10am–5pm

NCSU Scott Lab

Flies, Genes, and You

Feast your eyes on flies and meat-loving maggots! Discover how genetic engineering helps us unravel biological mysteries and solve agricultural crises.


10:30am-4:00pm

NCMNS

Investigate Lab


10am–5pm

NCMNS

Native Bees Build It Better

Play the “is it a bee, wasp, or fly?” game and learn how leafcutter bees nest and more about out native bees.


10am–5pm

State Employees’ Credit Union

SEA Your Savings Grow

Stop by the SECU booth for interactive financial education and trivia for all ages!


10am–5pm

North Carolina State University

The Roe Lab

Studying the morphology and physiology of arthropods and then applying these findings to the protection of health and agriculture.


10:30am-4pm

NCMNS

Visualization Lab

A free public laboratory focused on scientific visualizations, a technique used by scientists to understand and draw conclusions from complex data sets.


NRC 4


12pm–4pm

Nicole Parish

Sound of the Forest Art

See her handmade insect-themed prints, sculptures, and jewelry to BugFest! Nicole Parish is a content creator, artist, and autism educator with a love of the natural world and a special interest in insects.