BUGfest

BUGfest

Thanks to everyone who made BUGfest 2024 such a smashing success. The festival will return in August 2025, which gives you plenty of time to attend DinoFest or one of our other festivals at the Museum!

While there are approximately 6,400 described species of mammals on planet Earth, it is estimated that there are more than 1.3 million species of invertebrates!* This incredible fact was enough reason for NHMU to develop BUGfest, an annual celebration as big as its subjects are small.

For one weekend a year, BUGfest brings together invertebrate experts, educators, and enthusiasts for a a celebration packed with fun programming, collections showcases, live insect interactions, informative lectures, and even a BUGbar. All with the goal of helping bug fans and the fearful gain a greater appreciation for the wonderfully diverse and fundamentally important world of insects and other invertebrates. 

Follow the event links below to see the schedule of events for each day of the festival including lineups of expert speakers! 

BUGfest and all our major festivals are free to attend for Museum Members. Click here to learn more about the many benefits of Museum Membership, like free admission all year long. 

  • Kids look at a scorpion inside a glass case.

    Young guests get a closer look at a scorpion illuminated by a black light during BUGfest. Photo by Mark Johnston

  • A couple enjoys items from the Bug Bar.
  • Museum staff speak to an audience

    The Museum's director, Jason Cryan, and BUGbar chef, Megan Bartley, speak to an audience at the BUGbar during BUGfest. Photo by Mark Johnston

  • A child watches as a millipede crawls across her hands.
  • A family looks at a small beetle.
  • A kid reacts to eating an insect at BUGfest

    A child reacts to sampling some flavors at the famous BUGbar at BUGfest. Photo by Mark Johnston

  • Two guests admire a case of entomological specimens.
  • A guest leans in close to look at live bees.

    A guest admires live bees on display during BUGfest. Photo by Mark Johnston

  • Two people look outside for bugs.
  • A sphinx moth held in a butterfly net.
  • Two people sample small muffins inside NHMU.
  • A sign advertising the BUGfest bug bar.
  • A kid holds a large millipede.

    A guest holds a millipede during BUGfest. Photo by Mark Johnston

  • Guests admire insect specimens on display at BUGfest

    Guests admire insect specimens on display at BUGfest Photo by Mark Johnston

  • Jason Cryan speaks to an audience.

    The Museums director, Jason Cryan, speaks to an audience during an expert lecture at BUGfest. Photo by Mark Johnston

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* Estimates are not fixed and actual numbers of both invertebrate and mammal species could be much higher due to the vast diversity life on our planet. 

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