Insectival: 30th Anniversary Bug Bash

Butterfly Pavilion, Colorado’s only invertebrate zoo and a global leader in invertebrate research, conservation, and education, is turning 30 — and inviting the community to celebrate with the biggest bug bash of the summer! Insectival: 30th Anniversary Bug Bash is a weekend-long, indoor-outdoor festival packed with live music, animal encounters, science activities, conservation exhibits, local vendors, and fun for the whole family. Taking place July 12–13, Insectival highlights the incredible world of invertebrates — animals without backbones that power our ecosystems — from butterflies and bees to spiders, scorpions, beetles, and more. As the signature summer event of Butterfly Pavilion’s 30th Anniversary celebration, Insectival honors three decades of wonder, impact, and collaboration. Attendees will enjoy: - Live music - Animal meet-and-greets with tarantulas, beetles, butterflies, and other spine-tingling creatures - Butterfly releases and cockroach racing - Animal feedings and garden tours - Interactive science booths and conservation exhibits - Face painting, family games, and a fun photo booth - Local food trucks and a buzzing beer garden Since opening in 1995, Butterfly Pavilion has become an international leader in invertebrate science, with conservation projects spanning the globe — from Mexico to Mongolia and Colorado to Sumatra. Insectival celebrates this incredible legacy while inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. WHY IT MATTERS: Invertebrates — animals without backbones — make up more than 97% of all animal species and are essential to life on Earth. From pollinating crops to cleaning waterways, these tiny heroes support entire ecosystems — yet they’re disappearing at alarming rates due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. For 30 years, Butterfly Pavilion has led the charge to protect invertebrates across Colorado and around the globe, through conservation science, public education, and groundbreaking research. Insectival: 30th Anniversary Bug Bash is more than a celebration — it’s a movement, inviting the community to honor three decades of impact and join the fight for our planet’s smallest, mightiest animals.