Saturday’s Creepy-Crawly Birthday Bash: BugFest Celebrates 30 Years

Raleigh’s favorite arthropod extravaganza is blowing out 30 candles this weekend.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosts its 30th annual BugFest, drawing thousands of bug enthusiasts to downtown Raleigh. This year’s milestone celebration features four floors of interactive exhibits, local crafts, live entertainment, and a massive community birthday board where you can leave a wish or share your favorite past festival memories.

Feeling bold? Stop by the famous Café Insecta to sample gourmet bug dishes prepared by local chefs—it might just change your mind about eating arthropods. The festivities stretch into the evening with live music, top-tier performers, and a giant birthday cake cutting at 5 p.m.

📍 NC Museum of Natural Sciences – 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27601
📅 Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 | 10 a.m.
💰 Free admission
📎 https://ncmns.net/BugFest2026

Bring an open mind, an adventurous appetite, and get ready to celebrate three decades of bug magic.

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Lisa Jeffries Nobling

Founder + Principal at Raleighwood Media Group + Raleighwood Event Group

Lisa Jeffries, a 2007 graduate of N.C. State University’s Wilson College of Textiles and Poole College of Management, has been working in marketing since 2005. Her professional work experience ranges from independent, family-owned businesses to high-growth tech startups. Lisa’s specific areas of expertise include new media and experiential marketing for service-based businesses. Passionate about her clients, cheering on the Wolfpack, live music, and rescuing animals, she is also the founder of Raleigh Food & Wine and Raleighwood Wifi. Lisa completed the NC State + SKEMA Business School MSc dual master’s degree program in Global Luxury Management in 2016, publishing a thesis, Location-Based Opportunities for Brand Marketing With Emphasis on Application Within Luxury Industries.

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