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New Harmony Firefly Festival
June 27 - June 28
When twilight falls over the town of New Harmony, Indiana, in the early summer, something magical happens. As the sun dips down below the horizon and the first stars start to twinkle in the sky, thousands of fireflies emerge from the woods, transforming the land around our community into a constellation of dancing lights.
New Harmony’s annual Firefly Festival celebrates this beautiful natural phenomenon and the history behind Say’s Firefly, Indiana’s state insect first described by New Harmony resident Thomas Say in 1826. Every summer, families, nature lovers, and dreamers gather together at the Atheneum and on the edges of town to watch one of nature’s most spectacular light shows. You’re invited to be part of the wonder this year!
The Firefly Festival is more than just a chance to marvel at nature’s magic. It is really a celebration of community, bringing together people of all ages to share in something truly special. Food vendors serve up delicious treats perfect for evening picnics. Inside the Atheneum theater, an actor portraying scientist Thomas Say tells the story of his discovery of a firefly native to Indiana. Music fills the air outside as adults and children create glow stick accessories and join in a glow dance party. As the darkness deepens, people start boarding our tram and climbing into golf carts to drive to Firefly Theater in the woods near the Wabash River. Others choose to take a leisurely walk to Firefly Theater, enjoying the warm summer night and conversation with friends and family.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or visiting New Harmony for the first time, the Firefly Festival offers you an unforgettable experience that will leave you with memories to treasure. Come discover why this enchanting event has become one of New Harmony’s beloved summer traditions!
Join us as we celebrate the magic of fireflies, the beauty of our historic town, and the joy of coming together.
Activities and events include:
Friday, June 27
— Tram Tours of New Harmony, 10 and 11:15 a.m. $
— History Tour of New Harmony, 1-3 p.m. $
— Food trucks and booths, 5-10 p.m. $
— Kids Activities with Mudpuppy Palace, 5-10:30 p.m. Free
— Thomas Say: Frontier Scientist, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Free
— Glow Dance Party, 8-10 p.m. Free
— Firefly Theater Tours, 8:30-10 p.m. Free
Saturday, June 28
— Firefly Festival Run/Walk, 6:45-7:15 a.m. (check-in), 7:30 a.m. (race) $
— Firefly Hour with firefly-related crafts and readings of kids’ books about fireflies at the New Harmony Working Men’s Institute, 11 a.m. Free
— Kids Activities with Mudpuppy Palace, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Free
— Draw Like a Naturalist Class for Kids, Ages 10-17 (7 spots remaining), 10 a.m.-12 p.m. $
— Tram Tours of New Harmony, 10 and 11:15 a.m. $
— New Harmony Paint & Jam at New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free
— History Tour of New Harmony, 1-3 p.m. $
— Draw Like a Naturalist Class for Adults, Age 18+ (registration full), 1:30-3:30 p.m. $
— Film Screening of “Wonder: The Lives of Anna and Harlan Hubbard”, 3:30-4:45 p.m. Free
— Food trucks and booths, 5-10 p.m. $
— Thomas Say: Frontier Scientist performances, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Free
— Glow Dance Party, 8-10 p.m. Free
— Firefly Theater Tours, 8:30-10 p.m. Free
We hope that you can attend the Firefly Festival or help us spread the word about it through your social media.
Learn more about the festival at https://www.usi.edu/…/even…/new-harmony-firefly-festival