Things are about to get wild, scaly, and seriously fun when the Reptile Festival slithers back to the Virginia Museum of Natural History on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
The two-day, family-friendly adventure allows visitors to dive headfirst into the fascinating world of reptiles and amphibians. From up-close encounters with live animals to hands-on activities, games, crafts, and even face painting and balloon creations, the festival promises fun for all ages.
“Reptiles are essential to our ecosystem, but they’re often misunderstood and even feared,” said VMNH Services and Events Manager Robbie Hendrix-Wirt. “Reptile Festival is all about changing that — giving visitors an unforgettable, up-close experience that sparks curiosity, respect, and appreciation.”
Live Animals Take Center Stage
Visitors should get ready to meet an incredible lineup of live reptiles and amphibians, including a variety of snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and salamanders. While this year’s spotlight shines on species native to Virginia and North Carolina — from the striking eastern copperhead to the elusive worm snake — exotic species, such as the Egyptian Giant Uromastyx, will also be part of the festivities.
Although holding the animals isn’t permitted during the event, visitors will still have chances for safe, two-finger touches and plenty of photo-worthy moments.
“Immersive edutainment is what Reptile Festival is all about,” said Hendrix-Wirt. “We want to keep visitors and the animals safe, but we also want to provide opportunities for a truly memorable experience for everyone.”
Science Comes Alive
Beyond the live animals, visitors will have the rare opportunity to explore the museum’s growing collection of reptile specimens and meet the scientists who study these specimens. Guests can interact directly with researchers and learn how these fascinating collections are built and studied. Additionally, museum researchers from other scientific disciplines will grace the exhibit halls with special stations that tie herpetology — the study of reptiles and amphibians — with other areas of study, such as paleontology (fossils), recent invertebrates (insects), and archaeology.
Special Guests & Expert Exhibitors
Reptile Festival features an exciting lineup of partner organizations and institutions bringing their own unique displays and expertise, including universities, museums, and conservation groups from across the region. This year’s event includes representatives from:
- Box Turtle Sanctuary of Central Virginia
- Fairy Stone State Park
- Herpetology Club at NC State
- Mountain Lake Biological Station
- North Carolina Herpetological Society
- Radford University
- Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Virginia Department of Forestry
- Virginia Herpetological Society
- Virginia Living Museum
- Virginia Master Naturalists
- Virginia Tech Herpetology Club
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Philpott Lake
Interactive Fun for Everyone
Festival favorites return in full force for this year’s event. Included in the price of festival admission, visitors will enjoy reptile-themed crafts, hands-on learning stations, a photo booth to capture memories of the adventure, and timeless crowd-pleasers, like face painting and balloon animals.
Food, Treats & Festival Finds
Visitors are encouraged to come hungry, as the Reptile Festival Food Truck Alley will be open throughout the event, offering everything from quick bites to full meals, alongside refreshing treats. Reptile-themed merchandise and souvenirs will also be available for sale inside the Museum Store, as well as select areas throughout the festival.
On-site food options at this year’s Reptile Festival include:
- Bahama Sno-Shack
- Chick-fil-A
- D’s Hot/Ice
- Factory Roast
- Kona Ice
- MalloyDogz
- Palumbo’s
Admission to Reptile Festival is $15 per adult ages 18-59 and $10 for children and youth ages 3-17, seniors ages 60+, and college students. Admission is free for children under 3, museum members, and members of museums and science centers that participate in the ASTC Passport program.
The museum also participates in the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for All initiative, offering discounted admission to EBT cardholders. Through this program and additional funding provided by Hooker Furnishings, Carter Bank, and the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, visitors who present their EBT card and accompanying ID at the gate will receive free admission to the festival. The free admission offer is available to EBT cardholders from any state and up to 5 of their immediate family members living within the same household.
Parking for the event is free of charge and will take place off-site. Parking details will be made available on the museum’s website prior to the festival.
Reptile Festival is sponsored by Bassett Furniture Industries, Boxley Materials Company, Brightspeed, Carter Bank, Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, Hooker Furnishings, The Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust, and Virginia Tourism Corporation.
For more information about the festival, visit www.vmnh.net/events/reptile-festival.
