Powell Gardens is open Tuesday-Sunday (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Click for hours of operation.
Festival of Butterflies (July 16-August 2) returns for a special 30th-year celebration, inviting guests of all ages to reflect on three decades of wonder, discovery, and the magic of pollinators at Powell Gardens. This year honors the memories that have made the festival a Kansas City family tradition while creating new ways to enjoy it together. Spend a day exploring tropical and native butterflies alongside stunning botanic displays!
Begin your journey in the Conservatory with an up-close encounter with free-flying butterflies. In honor of the festival’s 30th year, the Grand Hall will feature a stunning botanical cake installation. Take a look at this imaginative tribute to three decades of celebrating beauty and pollinators before you head outside!
Walk to the Garden Galleries to discover the host plants that sustain butterflies, then follow the Butterfly Meadow through some of Missouri’s native pollinator-friendly plants. On the East Lawn, you’ll find the Native Butterfly Habitat and Lily Pad learning stop. Make your way to the Plant & Insect Lab to observe pollinators in action.
Round out your visit with favorite extras like botanical sundaes, interactive exhibits, Fortopia, Dragons and Fantastic Beasts, the Pollinator Playground, the Flutter Zone, and more. Festival of Butterflies gives guests days filled with joy, reflection, and magical moments!
Purchase Admission to Festival of Butterflies
Powell Gardens’ signature glass-domed conservatory is home to favorite and 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 these butterflies and moths. 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.
Perennial Lounge (Visitor Center)
Get a behind-the-scenes educational moment with microscopes and framed butterfly specimens. Gain a deeper understanding of the butterfly life cycle and the remarkable journey from caterpillar to winged pollinator.
Pop into the Discovery Lab for rotating, hands-on educational moments.
Ever wondered what dragons and butterflies have in common? Scales! Take a closer look at these fascinating textures under the microscope and uncover the hidden details that make these creatures so magical.
Check out a Young Explorer Backpack to learn about insects around the Gardens. (Need another reason to visit? The Discovery Lab is a great place to cool off!)
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?
Explore the remarkable diversity of butterflies that call Missouri home! In this engaging educational exhibit, guests will discover native butterfly species, learn how to identify them, and explore the vital relationships between butterflies and the host and nectar plants they depend upon.
Conservation-focused interpretation will inspire visitors to create pollinator-friendly landscapes of their own while highlighting the important role native butterflies play in supporting healthy ecosystems. Guests are encouraged to connect with the natural world and become stewards of Missouri’s pollinators at home!
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.
Children’s Garden (Education Building)
The Plant & Insect Lab is the hub for hands-on learning and discovery! This year, look for two distinct 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 glass observational beehive.
On Thursdays, the Plant & Insect Lab will host paid crafts! Pick your favorite at powellgardens.org/events-and-classes.
Need a break from the heart? The indoor Plant & Insect Lab is a great place to cool off!
Saturday July 18, 24, and August 1 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Conifer Room
Included with admission | Admission is free for members
Cool off with an engaging story time at the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel! Storytellers Br. John Anderson, Sue Godsey, and Jim Two Crows Wallen will share a favorite story every 15 minutes hour between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday July 18, 24, and August 1.
More information coming soon!
Festival of Butterflies is presented by First National Bank of Omaha. We are thankful for your generosity and support!
Once your tickets are purchased online, you will receive confirmation via email. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!