List of Events
Special weekends highlight specific BIG BUG sculptures
Every day is a special day during the BIG BUGS Exhibit and Web-of-life Extravaganza. Specific weekends are scheduled to highlight a specific bug with costumed characters and special activities. Look for the Bugmobiles to enjoy craft activites and hands-on live-bug encounters. Earn your Bugology Pin.
| Dates | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| July 10 |
Preview Party 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. |
Be the first to see this exciting new installation of the BIG BUGS! For Members Only. Click here to join online. |
| July 12 |
Opening Day (Activities from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) |
Discover 13 giant insect sculptures in their new homes around the Garden. Meet the Beetles and more! Live Beatles Music at 1 p.m. with HELP! |
| July 19 - 20 |
Ladybug Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) |
Can you tell a ladybug's age by counting her spots? Join a ladybug release in the meadow garden and learn about insects with "Warning colors". |
| July 26-27 |
Dragonfly Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) | Celebrate these winged wonders as they swoop to catch their prey out of midair. Make a dragonfly mobile from sticks and seeds. |
| Aug 2-3 | Bee Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) |
Meet beekeepers, watch a working hive of honeybees, and try some wildflower honey. Make a bumblebee craft to celebrate our native bees - important pollinators of native plants. |
| Aug 8 | Wild Nights Concert 6 p.m. | Bill Staines in concert, Woodland Stage. Tix $20/17. Includes exhibit; picnics available. Advance tickets WICN.org or 508-752-0700. |
| Aug 9-10 | Ant Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) | Learn how ants find their way to your picnic, even if they are not invited. Make some ant-ennae and fingerprint "ant art." |
| Aug 16-17 |
Damselfly Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) | How can you tell a damselfly from a dragonfly? Learn about their watery pasts and their favorite foods. Make a damselfly craft. |
| Aug 23-24 |
Butterfly Festival (Activities 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) | Did you know butterfly colors come from the colorful plants they sip for nectar? Celebrate these "flying flowers" with butterfly walks, programs and demos on butterfly gardening. Learn about the butterfly life cycle and observe a variety of caterpillars, chrysalis cases, and adult forms. Make a butterfly life cycle craft. |
| Sept 6-7 |
Mantis Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) | Who has big eyes and clever camouflage? Look for these fierce predators in the meadow garden and make a mantis craft to take home. |
| Sept 13-14 |
Daddy Longlegs Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) | What are those long lefs for? Find out why daddy longlegs isn't a "true" spider. Look closely at these awesome arachnids and then make your own Daddy or Mommy Longlegs sculpture. |
| Sept 20-21 |
Monarch Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) | As we observe their migration to Mexico, celebrate the Monarch's beauty and endurance. Learn about the flowers that fuel their journey and create some monarch wings for your finger. |
| Sep 27-28 |
Grasshopper Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) |
How far can you leap at our "Grasshopper Jump"? Compare yourself with these stars of the insect long jump and make a grasshopper noise maker. |
| Oct 4-5 | Assasin Bug Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) | Learn why this sneaky insect is the one "true bug" of the BIG BUGS show. Could it be his wings that cross? Make an assassin bug craft for your collection |
| Oct 5 | BIG BUGS Student Art Show | Students in grades K-12 may enter a drawing or painting of an insect/plant interaction to be displayed at the Garden. Bring your artwork that day or create your own during your visit. |
| Oct 18-19 | Spider Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) | Get ready for Halloween by learning about spiders, their tricks for catching pray and their skill at weaving webs. Make your own spider and web to match. |
| Oct 25-26 | Bye Bye Bugs Weekend (Activities 12-3 p.m.) | Your final chance to visit BIG BUGS before they leave the Garden. Vote for your favorite bug and make a goodbye card. |