Bay Area Butterfly Festival 2026

Join us for a fun-filled day celebrating butterflies, pollinators, gardens, and community at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival 2026! Explore beautiful garden spaces, meet expert naturalists and conservation organizations, enjoy live presentations, hands-on activities, kids’ experiences, vendors, and more. Discover simple ways to support pollinators and create a healthier environment right in your own backyard. Don’t miss this inspiring day of nature, learning, and community — your fluttering adventure awaits!

General festival admission is free. Festival admission does not include guided walks, classes, or workshops, which require separate registration and payment.

For details, visit:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/organizations/bay-area-butterfly-festival

Info: Bring the whole family to the Kids’ Zone at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival! Children can enjoy hands-on nature activities, crafts, games, face painting, sing-alongs, and interactive experiences designed to inspire curiosity about butterflies, pollinators, gardening, and the natural world. A fun-filled space for young explorers to learn, play, and connect with nature.

Info: Meet Sandi Squirrel for a joyful sing-a-long filled with music, laughter, and nature-inspired fun for kids and families! Sandi brings playful energy, storytelling, and interactive songs that celebrate the wonders of the natural world. It’s the perfect opportunity for little ones to dance, sing, and connect with nature at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival.

Info: Join author Karen Pryor for a special Story Time at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival as she shares her beautifully illustrated book, Home is Calling: The Journey of the Monarch Butterfly. Follow the incredible journey of the monarch butterfly through storytelling that inspires curiosity, wonder, and a deeper connection to nature. Perfect for children and families who love butterflies, adventure, and the magic of the natural world.

Info: Get ready for smiles, laughter, and family fun with Betty the Clown in the Kids’ Zone at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival! Betty brings joyful entertainment for children of all ages with playful antics, colorful fun, and plenty of giggles to keep the celebration lively and magical throughout the day.

Info: Meet The Beetle Lady in the Kids’ Zone at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival! Children and families will enjoy an exciting up-close look at fascinating beetles and other incredible insects while learning fun facts about the tiny creatures that help keep nature thriving. A fun, interactive experience sure to spark curiosity and wonder for the natural world.

Info: Prepare to be amazed by Michael Pena in the Kids’ Zone at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival! Michael Pena brings exciting magic, laughter, and interactive fun for children and families with tricks, surprises, and playful entertainment that will leave audiences smiling and wondering, “How did he do that?”

Info: Join author Karen Pryor for a special Story Time at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival as she shares her beautifully illustrated book, Home is Calling: The Journey of the Monarch Butterfly. Follow the incredible journey of the monarch butterfly through storytelling that inspires curiosity, wonder, and a deeper connection to nature. Perfect for children and families who love butterflies, adventure, and the magic of the natural world.

Info: Meet The Beetle Lady in the Kids’ Zone at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival! Children and families will enjoy an exciting up-close look at fascinating beetles and other incredible insects while learning fun facts about the tiny creatures that help keep nature thriving. A fun, interactive experience sure to spark curiosity and wonder for the natural world.

Info: Enjoy the joyful sounds of In Harmony Music in the Kids’ Zone at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival! Through interactive music and lively performances, In Harmony Music brings fun, creativity, and community together in a way that will have children and families singing, dancing, and celebrating the magic of music and nature.

Info: The State of Butterflies: Decline, Change, and A Radical Interpretation of Monarch Decline

Join renowned entomologist Dr. Art Shapiro for a fascinating presentation exploring the changing populations of butterflies throughout California. Drawing from decades of field research and data collection, Dr. Shapiro will discuss the decline of butterfly species, environmental pressures impacting pollinators, and his unique perspective on the dramatic decline of Western Monarch butterflies.

This science-based presentation offers an engaging look at biodiversity, climate impacts, habitat loss, and what these changes may mean for the future of pollinators in California.

A suggested minimum donation of $40 helps with environmental education and community programming. Space is limited. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dr-art-shapiro

Info: Join Rob Lopez for a fun, hands-on workshop where participants will learn simple, beginner-friendly techniques to cultivate delicious edible mushrooms--no special equipment needed. Each attendee will create and take home their own ready-to--grow mushroom kit and discover a rewarding way to grow fresh food while exploring the fascinating world of fungi. A suggested minimum donation of $65 helps with environmental education and community programming. Space is limited. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/grow-your-own-edible-mushrooms-at-home-and-in-the-garden

Info: Slow down, sip tea, and reconnect with nature in this relaxing sensory garden experience with Sandi Hunt. Learn about Yaupon, North America’s only native caffeinated plant, discover the important role pollinators play in our ecosystems, and explore herbs through touch and scent during a guided garden stroll.
The workshop concludes with making and tasting warm Indian Chai Tea, plus a Create Your Own Tea Station where guests craft a personalized herbal blend to take home. A suggested minimum donation of $65 helps with environmental education and community programming. Space is limited. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/foraging-tea-stroll

Info: Curious about growing food at home without soil? Join us for a hands-on introduction to hydroponics gardening, where you'll learn how to grow fresh, healthy produce using a simple, water based system. The instructor will walk you through the basics; how hydroponics words, what you need to get started, and how to maintain a thriving setup indoors or in small spaces. Discover a water-efficient, space saving way to grow your own food year-round! A suggested minimum donation of $25 helps with environmental education and community programming. Space is limited. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/save-water-grow-more-home-hydroponics--101

Info: Learn how to create your own nourishing, homemade lotion using natural ingredients in this hands-on class. You’ll be guided step-by-step as you blend them into a rich, skin-loving moisturizer. Along the way, you’ll discover the benefits of each ingredient and how to customize your lotion to suit your skin’s needs. Each attendee will leave with an 8 oz jar of handmade lotion to enjoy at home. A suggested minimum donation of $65 helps with environmental education and community programming. Space is limited. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/how-to-make-your-own-body-lotion

Info: Heath Griffith of Grow With A Flow is a steward of Sustainable Solano. He cultivates landscapes with flowers and medicinal herbs, with an eye towards community engagement and ecological justice. In this presentation, Heath will talk about the multipurpose garden that was installed this year at the Genesis House in Vallejo.

Discover the benefits of this new multipurpose permaculture garden at Genesis House in Vallejo!

Join us for a special talk highlighting its holistic design and the positive impact this thriving green space brings to our community. The Genesis Garden integrates food production, composting, and native pollinator habitats. This shared space serves as a vibrant community sanctuary, helps mitigate urban pollution, and actively supports a deeply healing environment. A suggested minimum donation of $25 helps support environmental education and community programming. Space is limited. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/genesis-of-a-garden

Info: Learn about on-farm practices that support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators . This presentation is a review of how native plants and pollinator services can be integrated onto farms and ranches through practices like cover crops, hedgerows, and vegetation management.

Your participation helps the Bay Area Butterfly Festival partners expand education, improve local habitat, and inspire more growers to join in building a resilient, pollinator‑friendly food system. A suggested minimum donation of $25 helps support environmental education and community programming. Space is limited. To guarantee your spot, please register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/on-farm-strategies-to-improve-pollinator-habitat

Info: Monarchs, bees, and other pollinators are in serious decline —and our food systems and local ecosystems feel the impact.

Use this form to share what you’re seeing, ask questions, and connect with the Bay Area Butterfly Festival team. Your responses help guide our education programs, “Pollinator Protectors” school gardens, and community classes so we can support pollinators where you live.
Together, we can turn concern into concrete action for pollinators in crisis. A suggested minimum donation of $25 helps support environmental education and community programming. Space is limited. To guarantee your spot, please register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/where-have-all-the-monarchs-gone-pollinators-in-crisis

Info: Samantha's experience in garden management, environmental education, and community engagement ensures gardens remains a vibrant space for both pollinators and people.
The focus of this presentation will focus on simple ways community members can support pollinators through native plants and pollinator-friendly gardening practices. A suggested minimum donation of $25 helps support environmental education and community programming. Seating is limited. To guarantee a spot, register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/all-about-the-bees

Info:
Grow a pollinator haven right outside your door
Learn to distinguish native pollinators and utilize lovely nursery plants to maximize the full potential of your garden. Learn how native species are particularly helpful to include in your landscape.

Together, we’ll turn local yards, balconies, and school gardens into safe stops along the Monarch migratory trail.
Your participation helps the Bay Area Butterfly Festival partners plan classes, resources, and plant lists that fit our community’s real needs. A suggested minimum donation of $25 helps support environmental education and community programming. Space is limited. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/native-plants-and-pollinators-in-your-backyard

Info: Suzanne Clarke, a Sonoma County Master Gardener and "Butterfly Whisperer," will share her thoughts and discuss what solutions can be offered to this butterfly mystery. A suggested minimum donation of $25 helps support environmental education and community programming. Seating is limited. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/gone-with-the-wind-and-habitat-loss-a-butterfly-mystery

Info: Annina, Executive Director of The Monarch Milkweed Project, and self taught gardener, Lori, will share their experience in creating a Pollinator Friendly Garden, and how any garden-balcony, backyard, or schoolyard—can provide real habitat for pollinators and a stronger local ecosystem with the use of native plants. A suggested minimum donation of $25 helps with environmental education and community programming. Space is limited. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/create-your-own-pollinator-garden

Info: Understand how California’s butterflies are really doing
Through her years of dedication as a founder and lead coordinator of the Western Monarch Count, Mia Monroe has helped monarch conservation efforts continue to grow and gain momentum. She was “powerfully moved to become a community scientist and make a meaningful contribution” by being a strong voice for conservation and involving schools and libraries to expand both enthusiasm and community engagement. A suggested minimum donation of $25 helps support environmental education and community programming. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-current-status-of-the-western-monarch-butterfly

Info: Join a guided walk along our Pollinator Pathway and see how native plants, soil, and water all work together to support Monarchs and other endangered pollinators.

Guided walks will take place every hour beginning at 10:00 AM, with the final walk starting at 3:00 PM. A suggested minimum donation of $25 helps support environmental education and community programming. Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/guided-pollinator-pathway-walk

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