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
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
Firefly Nights Exclusive Merchandise
Only available at the park during Firefly Nights, shop our variety of exclusive firefly-themed merchandise including:
Lucky Firefly Charms
Glow-in-the-Dark T-Shirts in both our previous colors and the new 2025 color
Glo-a-tees: Hand-sewn manatees with glow-in-the-dark wings and tail AND crocheted precious lil ones
BRAND NEW: Firefly Tumblers!
Find us during ALL Firefly Nights. All of your donations go towards keeping Blue Spring State Park a fun, beautiful, and educational place to visit!
Why Firefly Nights should be on your 2025 Calendar
Check out this article from Florida Currents to learn more about what Firefly Nights at Blue Spring State Park is all about!
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 in refillable bottle - no single use plastic please! Canned water is available for only $2.
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!
FIREFLY TRAM RIDES!
Thank you to our supporters who jumped at the chance to enjoy this new feature of Firefly Nights!
ALL 6 nights are SOLD OUT!!
For the lucky folks with tickets, THANK YOU! More information to come via email as we get closer to the event!
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!
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
