Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – Celebrate the incredible spring migration of monarch butterflies at the 9th Annual Monarch Fest, proudly presented by H-E-B, on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Quinta Mazatlán, 600 Sunset Dr. in McAllen. This vibrant festival offers family-friendly fun with live music, cultural performances, arts and crafts, educational booths, and youth activities.
The community favorite Mayor’s Bug Parade takes off at 11:00 a.m. inside the park. Kids can join the Parade by dressing up as their favorite pollinator. The McHi Drumline & Color Guard, Butterfly Stilt Walkers, and more community entertainers will lead the lively parade. All youth, scout groups, and families are encouraged to wear orange or pollinator-themed costumes and be part of the fun.
Guests can create take-home seed bombs to help grow pollinator-friendly plants and explore a variety of engaging experiences that celebrate pollinators and the natural world.
This year, Urban Frontier brings exciting live animal presentations featuring snakes, lizards, and tortoises—giving kids and adults alike the opportunity to enjoy interactive encounters with some amazing creatures.
Scouts can also take part in earning badges during the event. Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to complete badge work for Eco Learner, Outdoor Art Maker, Bugs, Outdoor Art Creator, and Flowers. Boy Scouts can work toward their Insect Merit Badge through nature-based experiences offered throughout the day.
Adults can enjoy the live cultural performances, a native plant sale and garden talk, guided garden tours, and shopping from over 15 local artisan and food vendors. Educational booths will line the scenic “streets of Mazatlán,” with support from organizations like American Forests, La Floresta Native Plant Nursery, Heep’s Native Plant Nursery and many City of McAllen departments, amongst many others.
Admission is free with the donation of a recyclable plastic bottle or plastic bag. For those who prefer not to bring a recyclable item, entry is available with a $5 donation at the gate. Children ages 2 and under are always free. Tickets are available in advance at www.quintamazatlan.ticketleap.com.
To ensure easy access, free offsite parking with shuttle service will be provided at 1400 Wichita Avenue, near La Plaza Mall. Shuttle rides will run continuously to and from Quinta Mazatlán during event hours.
The event is proudly sponsored by presenting H-E-B.
“We are thankful to our presenting sponsor H-E-B and the other sponsors, as well as the many educational organizations and volunteers who are a part of Monarch Festival,” said Colleen Hook, executive director of Quinta Mazatlán. “Each March and April, monarchs migrate north to find a place to lay their eggs on milkweed as they make the long journey home. With their numbers plummeting in the last few decades by as much as 90%, monarchs need native gardens. The McAllen Monarch Festival presented by H-E-B is designed to raise awareness, educate, sell native milkweed plants, connect families to nature and offer fun activities outdoors for all ages”
Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in orange, wings, or pollinator gear and experience a day filled with fun, education, and community spirit in celebration of the monarch butterfly.
