Butterflies Alive!

In the Sprague Butterfly Pavilion

May 24 through September 1, 2025

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 admissionPavilion tickets will be 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.

Annual Members' Party – July 11

Celebrate your support of nature and science as part of our extended family of Members. Check out our new Space Sciences exhibit a day before it opens to the general public. Free for Members, Purchase a ticket for your non-member guest for $10. RSVP required.

Not a Member yet? Join us today.

Additional photos © 2024 Gary Robinson