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.
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.