Where to see monarch butterflies as they migrate through Texas in October
Every fall, millions of monarch butterflies come to Texas on their way to Mexico.
Monarchs pass through Texas each fall on their way from Canada to Mexico, where they spend the winter. Peak migration happens in early October. They get to Mexico in early November, before heading north and returning to Texas in March to look for milkweeds and lay eggs.
“The monarch butterfly is as beautiful and memorable as a Texas sunset, soaring above all other insects in its nobility and determination, and its unique relationship with Texas makes it a truly appropriate symbol of the majestic spirit of the Lone Star State,” the state legislature wrote when it designated the monarch the state insect on June 16, 1995.
On July 21, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature put the migratory monarch butterfly on the endangered species list, saying the population has shrunk by between 22% and 72% over the past decade.
Celebrate the arrival of the rare monarch butterflies to Texas with butterfly gardens, butterfly releases, festivals and educational programming.
Monarch Celebration
Where: Wildseed Farms — 100 Legacy Dr, Fredericksburg
When: Oct. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Price: Free
Wildseed Farms is a wildflower farm that has been growing fields of wildflowers for over 35 years. It’s the nation’s largest working wildflower farm, with over 200 acres in Fredericksburg alone. In October, the farm will be celebrating the monarch migration with a tagging demonstration and release.
Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival
Where: Brackenridge Park — 3910 N. St. Mary’s, San Antonio
When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Price: Free
The Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival takes flight in October as migrating monarch butterflies move through the state. The seventh annual festival starts with a parade, followed by tagging monarch butterflies in honor of loved ones, waggle dancing, and maneuvering a monarch migration obstacle course. If you’d like to tag a butterfly in honor of a friend, family member or loved one, details are provided online.
Butterfly Flutterby
Where: Grapevine Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park
When: Saturday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Price: Entrance is free. Some vendor activities or food services may have a fee.
Bring your entire family to celebrate the monarch butterfly migration at the 25th Annual Butterfly Flutterby in Grapevine. It all starts with a parade, where prizes will be awarded to the kids and pets with the best costumes. You can also take part in a live monarch butterfly release, and learn about them with a hands-on exhibit and storytime. Stop by the arts and crafts station to make a pet bandana, pom pom caterpillar or handprinted butterfly on a stick. Lastly, browse an art gallery showcasing kindergarten through fifth grader artists from the Grapevine/Colleyville Independent School District, and a display with over 300 butterflies from around the world.
Texas Butterfly Festival
Where: National Butterfly Center — 3333 Butterfly Park, Mission
When: Oct. 29 to Nov. 1
Price: $355 per member and $395 for non-members
The National Butterfly Center is a 100-acre native plant botanical garden and wildlife preserve established by the North American Butterfly Association to advance its mission of education and conservation. The center will be hosting the 26th Annual Texas Butterfly Festival, a three-day event where attendees can expect to see more than 60 butterfly species in a day.
This story was originally published October 3, 2022 at 2:42 PM.
