Butterflies Alive! Opens to the Public

At the Museum | Sprague Butterfly Pavilion

This seasonal summer exhibit returns Saturday, May 23–Monday, September 7, 2026!

Featuring a dazzling variety of more than two dozen tropical butterfly species from Costa Rica, this immersive experience welcomes guests to walk through a beautiful garden while about 1,000 live butterflies flutter freely around them. Peer into the emergence chamber in Santa Barbara Gallery to see butterflies at an earlier stage of life. You might witness an adult butterfly popping out of its chrysalis!

Butterflies Alive! is a special exhibit that requires $3 tickets in addition to Museum admission. Pavilion tickets are free for Members* and available online, or in person at the admissions office and the pavilion itself. Reservations are recommended; start the process by reserving Museum admission.

Last entry into the pavilion is at 4:30 PM. The Sprague Butterfly Pavilion is ADA accessible; visit our accessibility page for more information.

*Guests of Members who receive free admission to the Museum as part of a Member benefit can receive free pavilion tickets at admissions and the pavilion.

Not a Member yet? Join us today.

Giant Owl photo © 2025 Gary Robinson