The Fifth Annual Newton Monarch Festival is fluttering into Wellington Park, West Newton on Saturday, September 13, from 9AM to 11:30AM. The rain date is Sunday, September 14.
This free community event is perfect for all ages, especially kids who are naturally fascinated by the wonders of nature and butterflies. Come for a unique opportunity to learn about these incredible creatures and discover how you can help protect them.
What to expect
- Live Monarch Encounters: See monarchs up close in every stage of their life cycle – from tiny eggs and munching caterpillars to fascinating chrysalises and newly emerged adult butterflies. We expect to be releasing some!
- Butterfly Garden Tours: Explore Wellington Park’s beautiful gardens, featuring native milkweed and other pollinator-friendly plants crucial for monarch survival.
- Kids’ Zone: Enjoy a variety of butterfly-themed games, activities, arts & crafts, and coloring sheets, all courtesy of the Newton Parks, Recreation, and Culture Department.
- Milkweed Exchange: Bring your extra native milkweed seeds, plants, or seed pods to share! Please label your contributions by type (e.g., Common Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, Butterfly Milkweed). We’ll provide planting instructions and guidelines.
- Expert Insights: Meet local monarch experts who maintain official Monarch Waystations and raise monarchs for educational purposes. Learn their tips for attracting these pollinators to your own garden.
- Meet the Artist: See the giant painted monarch butterfly created by artist Jenn Houle for Newton Cultural Development’s Flutter Project. Jenn will be on-site, discussing her work and passion for promoting monarch habitats through art.
- Prize Drawings: Registered attendees will have a chance to win exciting butterfly-related prizes!
Why Milkweed Matters
Monarch butterflies depend entirely on milkweed for survival. They lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants, and the hatched caterpillars feed on the leaves before transforming into a chrysalis. To help these incredible insects, consider planting New England native milkweed varieties like Common Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, or Butterfly Milkweed in your garden. We’ll be giving away free milkweed plants and seeds at the festival to help you get started!
Attendance is FREE! Register to receive important weather-related updates and information about future pollinator events.
Co-Sponsors
The Newton Monarch Festival is co-sponsored by Newton Conservators, Newton Parks Recreation and Culture Department, Newton Community Pollinator Project, Green Newton, Friends of Cold Spring Park, Friends of Wellington Park, and Mothers Out Front Newton.
Directions & Parking
Wellington Park is located in West Newton, a few blocks north of West Newton Square. Park entrances are on Kilburn Road and Princess Road (near Princess and Lindbergh Ave).
Please note: Parking is permitted only on the southbound side of Kilburn Road due to its narrowness. Additional on-street parking can be found on nearby streets such as Henshaw Street, Henshaw Place, Henshaw Terrace, Lindbergh Avenue, Southgate Park, Northgate Park, and Byrd Ave. When parking on these residential streets, please be courteous to neighbors and park on the same side as other cars.
