One of my favorite things about the Springfield Botanical Gardens is that every season brings something new to discover. As June unfolds and the gardens reach their summer stride, we’re preparing for one of our most colorful and beloved traditions: Butterfly Festival, coming up on Saturday, June 27.
Each year, the Butterfly Festival offers families, gardeners, nature lovers, and curious explorers the opportunity to experience the wonder of butterflies up close. It is a celebration of the remarkable pollinators that play such an important role in our ecosystems—and a reminder that even the smallest creatures can make a tremendous impact.
The festival is centered around our Roston Native Butterfly House, where visitors can walk among all of the life cycles of our live butterflies representing species native to our region. There is something truly magical about watching a child experience a butterfly landing nearby for the first time (let’s be honest, it’s pretty special for adults as well). In a world that often moves too quickly, butterflies have a way of encouraging us to slow down and pay attention.
And there’s a caterpillar petting zoo! How special is that!
Beyond the Butterfly House, festival guests will find educational exhibits, food vendors, hands-on activities, and opportunities to learn about creating pollinator-friendly landscapes at home. Whether you have acres to garden or a single container on a patio, there are simple ways each of us can support butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.
The Butterfly Festival also celebrates the incredible volunteers, gardeners, and supporters who help make the Springfield Botanical Gardens such a special place. Our Butterfly House welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year, and its success is made possible by a vibrant volunteer community that values education, conservation, and connecting people with nature. Just like our Butterfly House, the Butterfly Festival is free admission.
As you make plans for the last weekend in June, I hope you’ll consider spending part of your day with us—especially since just like our Butterfly House, the Butterfly Festival is free admission! Bring your children, grandchildren, neighbors, or friends. Wander the gardens. Visit the butterflies. Learn something new. Most importantly, take a moment to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
We look forward to welcoming you to Butterfly Festival on June 27 and sharing another memorable summer day in the gardens.
See you among the butterflies!
Kathryn Wall, Executive Director
