Festival of Butterflies

Conservatory

Powell Gardens’ signature glass-domed conservatory is home to unique pollinators each year. This summer, blue morphos, moths, and tropical butterflies steal the show!

Start your journey in the Conservatory for an up-close encounter with exotic butterflies and moths. (Don’t forget to look in the emergence chamber for the newest moth or butterfly drying their wings before flight.) The conservatory will be filled with hundreds of nectar plants and several of Powell Gardens’ beautiful Lantana trees.  

Native Butterfly Habitat

Visit Native Butterfly Habitat (located in a new location on the East Lawn) filled with Missouri’s favorite native butterflies. Learn about which flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. Look closely at the host plants inside—can you see butterfly eggs or hungry caterpillars?  

Paint a pot and take home a native plant of your own!  

Flutter Zone

The Flutter Zone invites young guests to play on the East Lawn! Located just beyond the Fountain Garden splashpad, look for life-sized forts and daily play.  

Tuesday: Bubbles
Wednesday: Ribbon dancing
Thursday: Hulu hoops
Friday: Sidewalk chalk 
Saturday:  Sandcastle building
Sunday: Water play and yard games 

NEW! Lily Pad

The Lily Pad (located on the East Lawn) showcases aquatic life in the Gardens. Learn about Jurassic dragonflies, frogs, waterlilies, and lotus flowers!  

NEW! Garden Galleries: Butterfly Tea Party

Step into a butterfly tea party in Garden Galleries! This display features important host plants Midwest butterflies rely on. Featuring milkweed, parsley, dill, and hollyhock, learn more about these native pollinators’ preferred and necessary food sources. 

Butterfly Meadow

As you travel through the Butterfly Meadow, watch for prairie favorites like Rattlesnake Master, Gray Headed Coneflower, Compass Plant, Butterfly Milkweed, and Prairie Blazing Star. Look for signs and plant tags marking these pollinator-friendly plants. 

NEW! Observation Beehive

Just in time for Festival of Butterflies, Powell Gardens has unveiled a brand-new glass beehive! This brand-new display in the Education Building (located in the Children’s Garden) offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a live honeybee colony, showcasing the vital role these pollinators play in our ecosystem.

NEW! Plant & Insect Lab

The Plant and Insect Lab (located in the Education building, Children’s Garden) is the hub of hands-on education. This year, look for two distinct learning sections. One section for story time and free play, the other dedicated to learning about creepy crawlers—insects! The Plant & Insect Lab is also home to a new, glass observational beehive.  

On Thursdays, the Plant & Insect Lab will host paid crafts! Pick your favorite at powellgardens.org/events-and-classes.  

Need another reason to visit? The indoor Plant and Insect Lab is a great place to cool off! 

Story Time

Cool off during story time in the Conifer Room at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. All ages welcome!  

Terrace Room

Tuesday-Sunday | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Family-friendly concessions will be available Thursday-Sunday in the Terrace Room during Festival of Butterflies.

Ice Cream Parlor

Daily | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Terrace Room (Visitor Center)  

Cool off at the Ice Cream Parlor! Cool treats and beverages are available to purchase. Enjoy one of three signature botanical sundaes: the Pollinator, Monarch (dairy free), or Dirt n’ Worms! 

The Marketplace at Powell Gardens

Daily | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visitor Center 

Welcome to The Marketplace, where summer’s magic dances on delicate wings! Explore butterfly-inspired treasures and plant lover’s essentials, celebrating the splendor of the season. Step inside and let your imagination take flight. 

Grand Hall Bar

Daily | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visitor Center Grand Hall 

Seasonal beverages, beers, wine, adult and kid-friendly slushees, soda, and snacks are available for purchase in the Visitor Center. Pick up a cold drink before heading out to experience summer in the Gardens!  

+Packs

$10 | Available online only

A great way to add extra sweetness to your festival visit! After purchase, use your +Pack to choose an event souvenir, a cookie, and non-alcoholic drink from The Marketplace.

Purchase +Packs online when purchasing festival admission.