Parkway and 19th Street Entrances
Lobby and Ground Levels

From the outside to the inside, the Academy is all about festival fun. There’s something for everybody, from science-loving families to highly engaged enthusiasts. Satisfy your natural curiosity while you talk to experts, look at amazing invert art, enjoy fresh fare from local food trucks or browse the brand-new vendor market. Come on in!

Food Trucks
11 a.m.–4 p.m.

On Saturday, Pitruco Pizza will be on site offering their delish pies.

On Sunday, Lula’s Empanadas will be on site with their tasty Dominican empanadas with a twist.

Beetle World with Artist Lauren Cat West

See artist Lauren Cat West’s large rainbow scarab beetle sculpture at our Parkway entrance and talk to the artist, who will be onsite with some of her smaller works.

Now and Then Market

For the first time, we welcome the Now and Then Market, which brings local Philadelphia artisans' work to the Academy. Meander through Commons to see how many makers use nature and inverts as inspiration.

Dinosaur Hall
Lobby Level and Mezzanine

Invertebrates are everywhere, in every ecosystem you can imagine. They need everything to survive that you need: shelter, food, water and other members of their species. Picture what your life would be like as a bug, learn about invertebrate care and keeping, and discover how your worlds are not so different.

Bug Headband Make-and-Take and Photobooth
Photobooth open 1-5 p.m.

Wrap your head around being a bug! Come color and wear a bug headband that brings out your inner insect. With your bug headband in place, buzz together with others to snap a photo!

Building a World for Bugs Tank Construction Demos

Invertebrates (and the creatures who eat them!) are perfectly adapted for the world where they live. When we take care of animals at the Academy, we make sure we think carefully about all of their needs, from substrate to snacks. Meet husbandry specialist Nick Brewster from Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center and watch while he builds beautiful new enclosures for the museum to house our animal ambassadors.

Specimania Interactive Digital Insect Kiosk

Supported by the Museum Innovation Fund, Drexel students from the Digital Media & Virtual Production program share their interactive kiosk with 3D holographic displays and "Be the Bee" game highlighting insects from the Academy's Entomology Department.

Adorable Ants and Aphids (Saturday)

Explore the world of live aphids and ants on small plants with a magnifying glass. Stop by and make an ant and aphid coloring sheet while you talk to scientists.

Architectural Sociality: Wasp Abodes and Roly Poly Labyrinths (Saturday)

Make mini paper wasp nests and challenge live roly polies to navigate through mazes. Chat with scientists from the O’Donnell Lab at Drexel University and find out what cool projects are going on.

America's First Urban Refuge

Celebrated as America's first urban refuge, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum was established in 1972. The refuge is a treasured green space nestled within the city of Philadelphia, teeming with a rich diversity of fish, wildlife and plants native to the Delaware Estuary. Make a wearable butterfly wing craft, pick up a Heinz specific bug box, try some refuge activities and explore the refuge event calendar.

Bug Hub Live Invertebrate Display

Take a closer look at some of the most misunderstood and fascinating insects, arachnids and more.

Welcoming Pollinators and Beneficial Insects into Your Garden

Do you want to grow a great garden for local bugs? Learn more from the Master Gardener program at Penn State. Visitors can learn how to create gardens that attract and keep pollinators and beneficial insects and make a welcoming landing spot year-round.

Bug Appetit with the Cajun Bug Chef
Sampling ongoing; additional shows at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Auditorium

“Entomophagy,” or eating bugs, is a common, sustainable and delicious practice all over the world. Meet New Orleans Cajun Bug Chef Zack Lemann and watch him cook up some slimy yet satisfying treats! Crunch down on a chocolate chirp cookie, dive into some waxworm salsa or devour a deep-fried cicada. Guests with shellfish allergies should not consume insects.

North American Hall and Science Live
Level 1

Academy scientists and Philadelphia community members have dedicated themselves to studying invertebrates and advocating for their health and habitats. Talk to Academy scientists and local experts to find out how you can get involved in invertebrate research and conservation.

Respect for Roaches

Find out why cockroaches are diverse, beautiful animals that deserve our admiration. Come scope out the competition for the Roach Races and make your predictions for which cockroach will scuttle to glory at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. in the Auditorium.

Meet the Macros

From toe-biters to whirligigs to caddisflies, macroinvertebrate biodiversity is vital to understanding the health of a freshwater ecosystem. Check out some water-dwelling inverts and meet scientists from the world-famous Patrick Center for Environmental Research, right here at the Academy. Learn more about the projects they are undertaking in Philadelphia and throughout the United States. Discover what steps you can take to keep our ecosystems safe and biodiverse.

Free Library of Philadelphia Book Bike
Storytimes at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Moose Diorama

Come and see the Free Library of Philadelphia Book Bike and check out a bug book! Then join us for story time led by librarians of the Free Library of Philadelphia. 

Bugs of Valley Forge and Hopewell Furnace (Saturday)

Find out how the National Park Service manages for native biodiversity at Valley Forge and Hopewell Furnace, and how bugs play an important part. See samples and photos of insects and a few other arthropods, as well as live crayfish, from these two nearby national park units.

The Bees of John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

Specimens collected in a recent bee survey of John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge will be on display and the findings presented.

Mosquito Disease Prevention and Control

Meet representatives from the Philadelphia Health Department and find out how mosquitos impact our lives in the region. Explore a pinned mosquito display, live adult mosquitoes in a rearing cage, mosquito larvae, mosquitoes under a microscope, mosquito traps and control equipment. Take home literature and handouts regarding insects.

Databasing the Academy's Grasshopper Collection (Saturday)

There’s a lot that goes into studying a collection! Stop by for a discussion of the protocols for capturing the information on the pinned grasshopper specimen data labels and how that information is used.

A Look at the Craneflies of Pennsylvania (Sunday)

Cranefly species from PA will be discussed. Learn more about their lifecycle, biology and anatomy including a microscopic examination.

Monarch Butterflies

The life cycle, host plant, caterpillars and adults of the Monarch Butterfly will be displayed and discussed.

Pollinator Conservation

Xerces Society is here to spread the word about pollinator conservation. Stop by for some activities, pamphlets, books and lots of materials to display, in addition to incredible pinned bees.

Outdoors for Everyone with Disability Pride

Disability Pride Pennsylvania provides accessible spaces where everyone can play together. Learn more about upcoming family friendly “Outdoors for Everyone” events, chat with the group about their mission and grab a giant bug sticker and some swag (while supplies last!).

Native Plant Exploration

Meet the native plant enthusiasts of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey. Pick up a poster and handout providing information about native plants and their benefits for the environment.

American Entomological Society and Bug Walk Signups
Outdoor Bug Walks 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.; sign up indoors under the rainforest tree

Check out insect displays and try embossing Bug Fest keepsakes with the American Entomological Society seal before you join Academy entomologists on an expedition just outside the museum. You’ll be amazed by what you find! Space is limited. Sign up in advance under the rainforest tree on Level 1.

Drawing from the Collections: Beetles

Part gallery and part studio, Drawing from the Collections celebrates the enduring appeal of drawing and describing our insect counterparts as a method of generating creative insights and scientific understanding. Investigate Coleoptera specimens from our world-renowned Entomology Collection, as well as stunning artworks and materials from our Library & Archives. Then, try your hand at drawing, describing and documenting your observations on the vast biodiversity of beetles.

Under the Canopy

Travel to the most diverse ecosystem on the planet! Under the Canopy: Animals of the Rainforest is an immersive exhibition introducing you to the fascinating world of rainforests and the animals that inhabit them. Learn about unique plants and rainforest ecology as you encounter a live sloth, boa constrictor and other animals that call these habitats home. Think big about the importance of rainforests to the planet as you explore interactive discovery stations, dynamic displays and engaging programming. Under the Canopy will leave you with knowledge and actions you can take — from choosing the best coffee to growing the right garden plants — to support healthier rainforest ecosystems and become an advocate for conservation.

African and Asian Halls, Dietrich Gallery and Library
Level 2

From the exotic to the everyday, Academy staff, friends and guests love insects, arachnids and myriapods of all stripes. Explore ancient fossils and newly discovered species. See rarely displayed specimens from the Academy’s world-class Entomology Collection and discover the fantastic bugs that populate other, more unexpected corners of the Earth.

Bugs and Books

Check out beautiful old books of insect art from the Academy’s esteemed Library & Archives. Join a relaxed, restful atmosphere where you can sit, draw or see an on-screen presentation about insects.

Paleozoic Arthropod Pals

Bugs are older than you think! Visit us in Life Onto Land: The Devonian to explore the ancient arthropods of the past, up close and personal. This station will feature touchable Academy specimens and a special tech-enabled microscope cart, allowing a close look at these amazing creatures.

Artist in Action with Jerrell Adams

Come watch artist Jerrell Adams sketching beetles and other bugs on a large chalkboard throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. You can sit nearby and draw, too!

Ruffled Feathers: The Hidden World of Avian Parasites

Meet ornithology researchers as they describe the parasitic lice and flies that spend their whole lives on the skin and feathers of birds. Learn more about how we study these fascinating parasites and what we can learn from them.

Ancient Jewels

Marvel at some rarely displayed specimens from the Invertebrate Paleontology Collection. Talk to Academy scientists about ancient insects in amber, learn more about the extraction of amber and discover how these fossils are possible.

Bugs and Botany

Without plants there'd be no bugs and without bugs there'd be no flowers! Because bugs and botany are so important to each other, we often find bugs in our herbarium — come see pollinators, fossils, zombie fungus and more. 

Insect Migration: Not Just Butterflies!

All sorts of insects besides butterflies migrate! Discover the natural history of dragonflies, damselflies, flower flies and true bugs that also embark on migrations of dozens or hundreds of miles and learn when and how you can observe them.

“Oh, My!” Insects

Take a closer look at some of the most impressive research insect drawers from the Academy's four million insect specimens. You’ll see more than 20 drawers of insects that are guaranteed to make you say "Oh, my!"

Eastern State Penitentiary Insects

Explore insects collected behind the walls of the prison as part of an ongoing science and art engagement at Eastern State Penitentiary.

Insect Specimen Preparation

Insect preparation techniques, particularly spreading butterflies and moths, will be demonstrated.

Inverts of the Ocean

While we might not think of them as bugs, the amazing arthropods that call the ocean home have at least one thing in common with land-based insects and arachnids — they are spineless survivors! Explore some sea-dwelling selections from the Academy’s renowned general invertebrates collection and meet scientists and researchers to find out how deep Bug Fest can go.

Invertebrate Life in the Rainforest

One of the most complex and interconnected ecosystems on the planet, the rainforest is filled with life of all shapes, sizes and strategies to survive! See live inverts that you would find in the rainforest, check out live frogs that depend on having bugs to eat, explore real specimens and craft a rainforest make and take.

Mighty Mussels

Learn more about the region's freshwater mussels and why they're so important to local aquatic ecosystems.

Meet the Human BEES (Saturday)

Meet Drexel students in the BEES Department to find out how they support the Academy scientists with environmental research and see what they collected.

BEES Classroom and Outside In
Level 3

Loving bugs starts young! Kids (and kids at heart) can enjoy hands-on exploration, storytelling, crafts and live animal encounters to learn more about the world around them. If you love bugs, you’re invited, no matter how old you are!

Outside In

Want more bugs? Inquisitive minds of all ages can investigate animal habitats, explore science and the natural world and discover how we all have a role to play in our ecosystem.

Buggin’ Out

Join us in BEES Classroom for some family-friendly fun! Build a bug, complete a craft, take a look at our book nook and try not to get tangled in the spider webs. This interactive space is perfect for engaging younger visitors!

Auditorium
Level 1

Bugs on the Big Screen
10:30 a.m.
 ASL interpreted show Sunday, 10:30 a.m. 

This unique live animal show will take a high definition look at what makes bugs beautiful, amazing and important.

Bug Appetit! Cooking with the Cajun Bug Chef
11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
ASL interpreted show Saturday, 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.

Celebrity Bug Chef Zack Lemann will demonstrate the culinary art of entomophagy (eating insects) and will be cooking up tasty treats with the buggiest ingredients.

Roach Races
12:30 and 4:30 p.m.
ASL interpreted show Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

Come cheer your favorite roach as it tests its speed on different tracks and races over obstacles.

Ask the Experts
1:30 p.m.
ASL interpreted show Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Talk with entomologists from the Academy and find out about current research projects. Ask whatever insect questions are bugging you and find out how you can become an entomologist, too.

Specimania
3:30 p.m.

Drexel University Digital Media & Virtual Production students share how they created the Specimania kiosk, an interactive digital experience with holographic display that brings specimens from the Academy's "hidden" collections into public view through entertaining and engaging experiences.

Saturday, August 10, 7 p.m.

Microcosmos (1996), 80 minutes

A captivating documentary — now a world-renown classic — written and directed by Claude Nuridsany and Marie Pérennou, this extraordinary and awe-inspiring film takes a very close look at the life of invertebrates. Film critic Roger Ebert writes, “The movie is a work of art and whimsy, as much as one of science. It uses only a handful of words, but is generous with music and amplified sound effects, dramatizing the unremitting struggle of survival that goes on in a meadow in France.”

Tickets for Microcosmos are pay-what-you-wish.

Watch the Microcosmos trailer: