MAY 2 9AM-3PM

Cuyamaca College 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy, El Cajon CA 92019

Craft Vendors and Food trucks will be center of the festival. FREE entry and FREE parking.

It’s Back! The Spring Garden & Butterfly Festival

This highly anticipated community event brings together The Water Conservation Garden, Cuyamaca College, and the Heritage of the Americas Museum for a day filled with nature, music, learning, and family fun.

Festival highlights include:

Butterfly Releases and Milkweed Sales within the Water Conservation Garden, non-profit partners, and a pollinator zone
The largest plant sale of the year, hosted by the Cuyamaca College Ornamental Horticulture Department at building M
The Coyote Music Festival, presented by the Cuyamaca Performing Arts Department, featuring many local bands performing original music
Cuyamaca Open House- learn more about Cuyamaca College programs and services while jamming to their DJ.
Dino Land, Alpacas and Cartoon Cool Zone at the Heritage of the Americas Museum
A variety of food trucks and sweet treat trucks

This annual celebration brings together gardening enthusiasts, families, students, and the community for a day of discovery, entertainment, and inspiration.

Meet the Festival Partners!

Event Map and Program coming soon!

Buy Your Butterfly Releases Here!

Thank you to our Butterfly Sponsors

🦋 Monarch Plus Sponsor

Dr. Richard Wright, Emeritus Professor of Geography and former Co-Director of the Center for Earth Systems Analysis Research at San Diego State University, has been a dedicated volunteer at the Garden for over 20 years. He has played an integral role in its inception, ongoing leadership, and historic preservation. His commitment to this living learning laboratory has not only helped shape the Garden’s growth, but has also ensured that the community can benefit from its more than 60 exhibits while experiencing history in the making.

✨ Chrysalis Sponsor

Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation – A heartfelt thank you to the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation for their generous support of our family event and for their continued commitment to The Water Conservation Garden. Sycuan has been a long-time champion of our mission, helping us inspire environmental stewardship and connect our community with the beauty and importance of sustainable living. Their partnership strengthens the impact The Garden has on our region, and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing support.

Read more about the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation – HERE

🌿 Caterpillar Sponsor

Ms. Sally Long and her Butterfly Team – Ms. Sally has been a cherished part of the garden family for over 13 years, lovingly dedicating her time to the preservation of monarch butterflies and the many pollinators that sustain our ecosystem. She and her team pour such care into keeping the Dorcus Utter Butterfly Pavilion and Hatchery beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming for all who visit, while also tending to the outdoor nectar and host plants that support our wild friends.
We are so grateful for your generous support of the butterflies and seeds this year for the community to enjoy, it truly helps this special work continue to grow.