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Route 66 Monarch Festival
September 12 @ 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Join the Illinois State Museum, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Monarch Project, and a host of community partners as we celebrate Illinois’ state insect, and everyone’s favorite garden visitor, the Monarch Butterfly! Enjoy FREE games, activities, giveaways, and more at this community event – rain or shine!
The Route 66 Monarch Festival is a free, family-friendly event on Saturday, September 12, 2026, celebrating the monarch butterfly and the Route 66 Centennial.
- When: Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Rain or shine)
- Where: Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience (Gate 2), 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, IL
- Cost: Free admission
- Hosts: Illinois State Museum, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Monarch Project, and partners.
Schedule of Activities
- 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Free games, hands-on activities, community booths, giveaways, and native plant distributions.
- 4:00 PM: Special butterfly release.
- 5:00 PM: Engaging story time.
- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Free outdoor screening of the Disney-Pixar movie Cars (bring your own lawn chairs).
Saturday, September 12, 2026
02:00 PM to 08:00 PM CDT
801 E Sangamon Ave
Springfield, IL 62702
