Firefly Nights
at Blue Spring State Park
March 14th - April 6th
Get ready to witness the trees along the boardwalk come alive with twinkling fireflies! Beginning Friday, March 14th, experience the lights of hundreds of fireflies as they rise from the forest floor in the woods of Blue Spring State Park. Be sure to read below for everything you should know about attending Firefly Nights!
2100 W French Ave Orange City, FL 32763
NIGHT OF LIGHTS SOCIAL
Join us at our Special Social Event to kick off to the Firefly Season on Friday, March 14!
We invite you to an enchanted evening event to celebrate Firefly Season!
This special event ticket is $35 per adult and just $25 for children under 12 and includes: Dinner, Live Music, Silent Auction, Nature Talks and the Ultimate Firefly Stroll under the full Worm Moon. The After Hours Vehicle Pass is also included with this ticket!
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., you will enjoy the late afternoon setting sun in the Riverside Pavilion with live music and dinner and if you are so inspired, there can be dancing!
There will be a silent auction, special nature talks and wine and beer for purchase. You will also receive a special gift from us!
When the sun has set, you will stroll along the path as the fireflies start twinkling and the full moon rises above our beautiful park.
This is an outdoor event, so please dress for comfort with sturdy shoes, long sleeves and pants, and please remember, no bug spray is allowed. The terrain includes grass, woods, sidewalks and sandy areas.
The event will conclude by 9:00 p.m.
Park entry fees are not included. Typical fees are $4 for a 1 person car and $6 for up to 8 in a car.
We look forward to hosting you at this festive One Night Only experience!
FIREFLY TRAM RIDES!
We are so excited to announce a ***NEW*** event happening during Firefly Nights!
We invite you to a join us on a MAGICAL Tram Ride!!
Happening on only 6 evenings of the Firefly Season, this exclusive event will only be available on Wednesday and Thursday evenings!
You will be transported to your very own Firefly location in our custom built tram. Along with 11 other guests, you will arrive in a secluded area of the park to enjoy the last of the evening twilight and watch the ground come alive as the fireflies start their magical dance. The ride will last about 45 min to an hour and you will return to the upper parking lot where you can enjoy the fireflies along the boardwalk until 9:00 p.m.
The tram rides will leave from the upper parking lot promptly at 7:30 p.m.
This special tram ticket is only $20 per person! Please get your tickets now for this exclusive new addition to Firefly Nights!
Please remember, no bug spray or white lights are allowed during the Firefly Season. No animals are allowed on the tram. The ride can include insects, temperature, and uneven terrain/ bumpiness.
Park entry and After Hours Vehicle Pass costs are not included. Park entry fees are typically $6 per vehicle and the After Hours Pass is $14 per vehicle.
We look forward to sharing our magical tram with you!
Coffman’s Glow Scale
Ronnie Coffman has been a volunteer at Blue Spring State Park for nineteen years. Twelve years ago, he began his fascination with Blue Spring’s Fireflies. For over a decade, Ronnie has been educating visitors on how to observe and respect the fireflies at Blue Spring State Park. Every night, the glow from the fireflies is given a rating on the “Coffman Scale” which we will share the next morning on @bluespringstatepark_ on Facebook and Instagram
FAQs
How Much is the Entry Fee?
To access the after-hours Firefly Nights event, all guests must purchase an after-hours pass. This pass is $14 for a vehicle with up to 8 people.
The proceeds go towards supporting the Friends of Blue Spring State Park. This price is in addition to the daily park entrance fees:
$4 for a single occupant vehicle
$6 for a vehicle with 2-8 occupants
What Time Should I Arrive?
Please plan to be in the park as early as 6:00 and no later than 7 pm to purchase your after hours pass. It is recommended to arrive early for this event due to its popularity. All guests must leave the park by 9:00pm.
If you purchased your pass ahead of time via the link above, you are guaranteed entry.
There are 2 Firefly Chats each night at 6:45 and 7:15.
What Should I Bring?
Red Light/Red Glow Stick (glow sticks will be available for purchase)
Water
Natural Insect Protection such as Long Sleeves, Pants, and Citronella/Peppermint Scented Lotion
Please DO NOT Bring:
For the safety of the fireflies please refrain from bringing/using:
Flashlights or Flash Photography
Bug Spray
No pets; only ADA service dogs are permitted.
Do Not Capture or Catch Fireflies
Please Stay on Designated Trails
What Happens if it Rains?
While rain doesn’t affect the fireflies, the event may be canceled in the event of dangerous inclement weather. For the most updated information please follow @bluespringstatepark_ on Facebook and Instagram or contact us via email at bluespringcso@gmail.com. For those with pre-purchased tickets, we will email you and you may choose to receive a refund or attend another night.
How Many Fireflies Will I See?
Like manatees, the number varies from night to night and there is no guarantee on the number of fireflies you will see on any given night. However, during many of our Firefly Nights evenings, there are hundreds or even thousands of fireflies that light up the night sky!
Fun with Fireflies
Check out some of these fun facts about fireflies and learn more about their lifecycle!
Fireflies, also known as “Lightning Bugs,” are actually a type of beetle. Fireflies use their lights to communicate with one another and also to find a mate. This is why it is important that guests do not use any white light (such as flash photography or flashlights) during the after hours events as it could interfere with their communication. In large groups, like at Blue Spring State Park, firefly lights can sometimes blink in unison!
Check out the firefly lifecycle in the diagram below!
Did You Know That Firefly Lights Can be Yellow, Green, or Orange? And Even Firefly Eggs will Glow at Night!
Firefly lights are known as “bioluminescence” which means the emission of light or “glow” from a living thing. Different species of fireflies have their own unique flash patterns which helps the females differentiate which firefly males she is compatible with. Even though fireflies are not endangered, it is still important to protect their habitat. You can help fireflies by reducing the use of pesticides in your garden and reducing your amount of outdoor light usage during firefly season.
Information from National Geographic Kids
