As we head into the worst part of winter, aka the part where we’re it pretends to be spring before plunging back into winter, you’ll want to take advantage of one of the best annual events in Columbus.
Franklin Park Conservatory is once again inviting the public to take in the beauty of Blooms & Butterflies when it opens at the end of the month. The exhibition has been around for 30 years, and it’s always a treat. Hundreds of colorful butterflies fly freely throughout the Pacific Island Water Garden, making for a majestic visit to the conservatory.
The beloved annual exhibition returns February 21 through July 5, 2026, and honestly, it might be the serotonin boost we all need right now.
It really is one of the most joyful ways to spend an afternoon in Columbus, especially on gloomy, late winter days.
If you have never experienced Blooms & Butterflies, here’s the gist. Thousands of butterflies fly freely inside the Pacific Island Water Garden, the largest indoor biome at the Conservatory. It is warm. It is lush. It smells like flowers instead of road salt. It feels like you accidentally boarded a flight to somewhere with palm trees.
One of the standouts you will likely spot is the blue morpho, known scientifically as Morpho peleides, famous for its large, iridescent blue wings that practically glow when they catch the light. If you have ever seen one in person, you know it feels fake. Like nature showing off.
Butterflies are beautiful little creatures.
They are most active during periods with bright, clear sunlight. But they aren’t just pretty to look at. Butterflies are important pollinators, a group of insects and animals that are responsible for 1 in every 3 bites of food we consume and contribute over 200 billion dollars to the food economy worldwide.
In addition to seeing butterflies in the Pacific Island Water Garden Biome, you can also stop by the Metamorphosis Lab in the Grand Atrium to learn all about the butterfly lifecycle. There you’ll be able to look at the difference in chrysalises and get up close as brand-new butterflies make their way out.
At the Conservatory, butterflies receive all the care and nutrition necessary to live long lives. Usually, they live even longer there than they would in the wild. It might be tempting when you’re walking around to touch the butterflies or to try and feed them, but that could cause them harm, so it’s best just to observe them from a distance.
Opening Day details
Blooms & Butterflies officially opens on February 21, with an Opening Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the Grand Atrium, kids can create a special Sand Art butterfly or flower to commemorate the day. The sand art craft is $5 per child.
The exhibition is included with General Admission, which means if you have been looking for a reason to renew your membership or plan a winter field trip, this is it. For the most active butterflies, plan your visit during the day when the sun is shining. They are far more energetic when it is bright and clear outside.
Franklin Park Conservatory is located at 1777 E. Broad Street. For more details about Blooms & Butterflies, including hours and ticket information, visit fpconservatory.org/blooms-butterflies and follow along on social media for updates.
If you need me between now and July, I will be standing very still in a tropical biome, waiting for a blue morpho to land nearby and pretending I am somewhere much warmer than Columbus.
