Butterflies aren't just the familiar logo of Dollywood; they're colorful, delicate insects that make people smile rather than itch - and in the case of monarch butterflies specifically, that travel through Tennessee in the fall as they migrate south for the winter.
The upcoming 11th Annual Butterfly Festival will offer people a chance to glimpse the beautiful bugs up close and learn how to protect them.
The 2026 UT Arboretum Butterfly Festival will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 29 at the UT Arboretum at t 901 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge. Check facebook.com/UTArboretum for updates.
Activities for the family-friendly event will include the UT Insect Zoo - "a travelling exhibit of insects found in Tennessee and throughout the world" - and butterfly viewing
tents where visitors can see painted lady butterflies up close. Other offerings include educational speakers, children’s activities, local artisans, food trucks and dulcimer music, according to a release.
Parking in the UT Arboretum parking lot will be $5 cash per carload.
For you and your new butterfly friends, you can take home a free pollinator plant, provided by local native plant nursery Tennessee Naturescapes.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Want to socialize with butterflies? Here's your chance | Ask Knoxpedia
