Events

UPCOMING EVENTS

Insexxx: A Valentine's Date Night
1445 SE Hawthorne
February 14, 2019 7-10pm
Description: Not your traditional Valentine's date night!
(18+, children are not permitted at this event)
Join us for a fun and educational evening into the world of insect mating rituals with Portland Insectarium! Enjoy desserts & champagne, and get creative with DIY bug-themed Valentine's Cards. Bring a date, come alone, or with friends!
In addition to having the insects & arachnids on view, your entry includes a glass of champagne or non-alcoholic beverage, desserts, and take home favors.
$15 individual ticket
$28 date night for two
SOLD OUT, NO DOOR SALES
IMPORTANT: Must show proof of receipt & ID (by phone or print) upon entry!

Portland Spring Home & Garden Show
Portland Expo Center
2060 N Marine Dr
February 23, 2019 12-4pm
Description: Join us at the Kid Zone with Portland Parent Magazine! There will be a coloring and art station, plant potting activities, and live bugs!
More info.

WE'LL COME TO YOU!

Past Events

Holiday Bug Ball (Suggested donation)
1445 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Saturday, December 1, 2018 6-8pm
Description: Come celebrate the season with Portland Insectarium and Nucleus Gallery! View live and pinned insects and arachnids, get creative and educated at the craft table, and enjoy complimentary pizza, beer, and vegan baked goods (From Sizzle Pie, Olympia, Dragon’s Milk, and Sweet Pea Baking). Admission is free but donations are suggested and greatly appreciated. Proceeds will help fund future events and projects. One raffle ticket for each $5 donation. All ages.

TreeMendous Second Saturday
World Forestry Center Discovery Museum
Washington Park
4033 SW Canyon Rd
Saturday, November 10, 2018 11-2pm
Description: Insects will crawl, fly, and slither their way to the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum on Saturday, November 10 for TreeMendous Second Saturday, the museum’s monthly themed event. Folks from the Portland Insectarium will be at the museum from 11am – 2pm with some of their creepy crawly critters so visitors will be able to see beetles, spiders, scorpions and more. The Insectarium will also have a microscope on hand allowing guests an up close and personal look at the amazing world of bugs magnified!

Wheelie Spooky (FREE)
935 NE 33rd
Sunday, October 28, 2018 2-4pm
Description: Come celebrate the tradition of Halloween Trick-or-Treating without the obstacles associated with the traditional door-to-door trek. This fun, family event is an all-inclusive opportunity for kids of all abilities, mobilities, and developmental stages. Wheelie Spooky will take place in an ADA compliant gymnasium and will be produced with a "G" to "PG" audience in mind
Halloween decorations and themed tables will create a fun atmosphere for kids of all ages to enjoy this spooky holiday. Candy and/or other tokens (non-edible toys or other items for folks with allergies) will be available. Hot chocolate and spooky treats will be on hand, and we expect to have at least one creature feature exhibit for kids to enjoy

Night of the Living Bugs Tea Party
October 20, 3-5pm
Taborspace 5441 SE Belmont

Description: The Portland Insectarium warmly welcomes you to attend a Night of the Living Bugs Tea Party at Taborspace (5441 SE Belmont) October 20, 2018 from 3-5pm. Hosted in the beautiful Copeland Commons area, Night of the Living Bugs offers an aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating social event you will not soon forget. Live animals in terrariums, dead specimens, and informative exhibits will be available for everyones viewing pleasure. Refreshments are provided by local businesses and free to attendees (vegan, gf, nut free options). This tea partys theme lends itself to the season and encourages party goers to dress creatively, drink tea, and enjoy all that is offered.

Tarantula Tea Party
January 27, 3-6pm

Description: Have you ever wanted to attend a tea party featuring live tarantulas? Here's your chance! Come see the Portland Insectarium and our tarantula and spider collection. We will be serving tea and snacks while observing the behavior of spiders. The event is from 3-6pm, however, feel free to arrive at any time and leave at your leisure. Kids 3 and under are free!

Bug Week at OMSI
Schedule:
- Tuesday, March 27: Eat bugs with Cricket Flours and OMSI Food Science Staff
- Wednesday, March 28: Keep Oregon Bee Friendly with Oregon Bee Project
- Thursday, March 29: Learn all about mosquitos with Multnomah County Vector Control
- Friday, March 30: Explore the diversity of bugs from Portland Insectarium
- Saturday, March 31: Help provide habitat for pollinators with Bee and Bloom.

Description: It's Bug Week! The spotlight is on bugs and the researchers and organizations that work with them. Join us in the Life Science Lab to learn more about the diversity of these amazing animals, their connection to us and what we learn by working with them.

Bug Love
Saturday, May 19th 12-3pm

Description: In a one-day-only pop up exhibit, the Portland Insectarium invites you to celebrate Spring by exploring the incredible diversity of insect, arachnid and other arthropod reproduction! Featuring live insects and arachnids as well as a variety of exhibits, visitors will explore life cycles, learn about strange and unusual courtship behavior, and view examples of eggs, cocoons, larvae, and pupae. There will also be raffle prizes, special guest Everybody Bleeds promoting human reproductive health, and a kids activity area.

Nature Walk and Bug Hunt ($3, kids under 3 FREE)
Description: Take a walk with us and look for bugs! Even our city parks are full of wildlife. For $3 you get five bug catching vials and 3 stickers. We will show you several techniques to find and catch bugs safely and then we will use field guides to identify them! We encourage catch and release. Fee can be paid in cash or by card at the meeting place.

Nucleus Drink & Draw ($5)
1445 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Description: Portland Insectarium & Nucleus Portland invites all skill levels to come drink & draw with us! There will be live and dead insects and arachnids to reference, as well as tips on biological illustration basics. Drink & Draws are an opportunity to socialize and draw with zero judgements. Bring your drawing supplies, some will be made available. Please note that your ticket purchase will help keep Portland Insectarium events alive, thank you.
Tickets are $5 per attendee: This is a 21 & older event. A ticket purchase is required to attend. We suggest buying tickets in advance as there are limited spaces. Drinks are not included with ticket, but can be purchased separately.

Nucleus Coaster Art Exchange ($5)
1445 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Description: Portland Insectarium & Nucleus Portland invites all skill levels to come drink & draw with us! There will be live and dead insects and arachnids to reference, as well as tips on biological illustration basics. Drink & Draws are an opportunity to socialize and draw with zero judgements. Bring your drawing supplies, some will be made available. Please note that your ticket purchase will help keep Portland Insectarium events alive. Thank you!
Tickets are $5 per attendee: This is a 21 & older event. We suggest buying tickets in advance as there are limited spaces. Drinks are not included with ticket, but can be purchased separately. Save the date, as you will not receive an event reminder after purchasing

BUGS! at the Library (FREE)
Description: Learn about insects and their relatives by observing live bugs and then make your own paper bug doll to take home! This program is an activity-based class for ages 2 and up.