18th Annual Monarch Festival – Festival de la Monarca
The next Minneapolis Monarch Festival will occur on Saturday, September 12th, 2026, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Festival celebrates the monarch butterfly’s amazing 2,300-mile migration from Minnesota to Mexico with music, food, dance, hands-on art, native plant sales, and plenty of opportunities to get up close with monarch butterflies, learn about their habitats, and what you can do to make a difference.
The Festival will be held just east of the Lake Nokomis Community Center in the area bounded by E. Minnehaha Parkway, Woodlawn Boulevard, and E. Nokomis Parkway. Map & Directions.
Like monarch butterflies this time of year, we are busy! The festival is coordinating with our artist friends and science colleagues to bring you activities and learning opportunities at the 2026 Monarch Festival.
Announcements and updates Festival Facebook Page
New community art project coming to Minneapolis Monarch Festival~Festival de la Monarca
A new community art project is coming to the Minneapolis Monarch Festival~Festival de la Monarca in 2026 and 2027! Thanks to a Community Identity & Heritage Festival Grant from the Minnesota Humanities Center, the Monarch Joint Venture and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board are pleased to introduce “Alebrijes and Monarchs: A Mexican Cultural Celebration.” Read the announcement here.
Workshop Details
Help construct large-scale alebrije sculptures alongside local artists that will be featured at the Minneapolis Monarch Festival. Free, no registration needed. All ages welcome. Participants 12 or under must be accompanied by an adult.
Workshops will be held at 2 locations: McRae Park and East Phillips Recreation Center.
Los talleres tendrán lugar en 2 ubicaciones: McRae Park y East Phillips Recreation Center.
McRae Park Workshop Details
- Location/Ubicación: 906 E 47th St, Minneapolis, MN
- Dates/Fechas: August/Agosto 6, 13, 20, & 27
- Time/Hora: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
East Phillips Recreation Center Workshop Details
- Location/Ubicación: 2399 S 17th Ave, Minneapolis, MN
- Dates/Fechas: August/Agosto 1 & 8, 5:30-7:30 PM & August/Agosto 15 & 22, 1:30-3:30 PM
Festival Contacts:
General Information & Event Manager:
MaryLynn Pulscher, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
mpulscher@minneapolisparks.org | 612-313-7784
Exhibitors and Vendor information – click here.
Media:
Ben Johnson, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
bjohnson@minneapolisparks.org | 612-230-6410
Volunteers:
Katie Puffer, Monarch Joint Venture
kpuffer@monarchjointventure.org
Volunteer sign-ups will be posted soon.