Bee Palooza 2026 is a free, all-ages event everyone will be buzzing about!
WHERE: MSU Horticulture Gardens, 1066 Bogue Street in East Lansing, Michigan
WHEN: Sunday, August 30, 2026 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM
WHAT TO EXPECT: The theme this year is Bee Kind with a focus on community care for all our plant and pollinator neighbors. Attendees will be invited to enjoy learning about the vital role of pollinators in nature, in our gardens, and in agriculture. We aim to raise awareness about the challenges faced by bees and to inspire attendees to take action. Start at the Welcome Center and then visit each station described below to learn more.
Welcome Center – Grab a brochure to explore the event and return your Bioblitz Bingo for fun prizes at 3:30 pm!
What’s the buzz? – Bees come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Learn about the bizarre biology of bees, from solitary to social. Pet fuzzy (male) bees without fear of being stung!
Plants for Pollinators - Learn about how pollinators interact with plants all season long. Stop by to make your own native Michigan seed balls and take home some coloring sheets of Michigan trees!
Flora Friends – Discover non-bee pollinators like wasps, butterflies, and more! Join us at Bee Palooza's Bioblitz to record pollinators and other animals in the garden!
Science of Pollination - See how plants, pollinators, and people depend on one another, including how some bees have special strategies to pollinate. Then get a free scoop of ice cream!
Larvae Lounge - Become a pollinator or plant with face-painting and other activities designed especially for the young at heart.
WHERE: MSU Horticulture Gardens, 1066 Bogue Street in East Lansing, Michigan
WHEN: Sunday, August 30, 2026 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM
WHAT TO EXPECT: The theme this year is Bee Kind with a focus on community care for all our plant and pollinator neighbors. Attendees will be invited to enjoy learning about the vital role of pollinators in nature, in our gardens, and in agriculture. We aim to raise awareness about the challenges faced by bees and to inspire attendees to take action. Start at the Welcome Center and then visit each station described below to learn more.
Welcome Center – Grab a brochure to explore the event and return your Bioblitz Bingo for fun prizes at 3:30 pm!
What’s the buzz? – Bees come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Learn about the bizarre biology of bees, from solitary to social. Pet fuzzy (male) bees without fear of being stung!
Plants for Pollinators - Learn about how pollinators interact with plants all season long. Stop by to make your own native Michigan seed balls and take home some coloring sheets of Michigan trees!
Flora Friends – Discover non-bee pollinators like wasps, butterflies, and more! Join us at Bee Palooza's Bioblitz to record pollinators and other animals in the garden!
Science of Pollination - See how plants, pollinators, and people depend on one another, including how some bees have special strategies to pollinate. Then get a free scoop of ice cream!
Larvae Lounge - Become a pollinator or plant with face-painting and other activities designed especially for the young at heart.
About MSU Bee Palooza
Bee Palooza is a celebration of Michigan pollinators and the promotion of pollinator stewardship. In celebration of National Pollinator Week, members of the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University host a Bee Palooza. This event includes interactive activities for all ages designed to increase awareness about pollinators and provide attendees with tips on what they can do to help. Visitors from across the region are invited to enjoy stations set up around the garden displaying examples of Michigan native bees including bumble bees, as well as the non-native, but agriculturally important honey bee. Pollinator habitat, plants and gardening practices to support pollinators, and examples of bee hotels are also on exhibit. This event was held annually from 2012-2019 with a virtual version in 2020, a hiatus between 2021-2022, and a reboot of the in-person event in August of 2023.
Key definitions:
Pollinators are animals that move pollen between flowers, resulting in seeds, nuts, and fruits. Most bees, some other insects, some birds, and some bats are pollinators.
Pollinator stewardship is when humans play an active part in protecting and providing natural resources that pollinators need - including clean water and food (aka nectar and pollen).
Pollinator stewardship is when humans play an active part in protecting and providing natural resources that pollinators need - including clean water and food (aka nectar and pollen).
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Pollinators & Pollination At MSU
Michigan is home to nearly 500 species of native bees, is a leader in honey production, and produces many pollinator-dependent fruit and vegetable crops. MSU Extension provides the latest information on pollinators and pollination including fact sheets from the Smart Gardening Program, webinars, educational seminars, email newsletters, and other online resources. Visit the Michigan Pollinator Initiative website for more information and resources for beekeepers, growers, and home gardeners.
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