Visitors can get up close with insects during the annual Bug Fair at the Natural History Museum. (photo courtesy of NHMLAC)

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Exposition Park will host its 37th annual Bug Fair on Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21.

The two-day festival celebrated local and exotic insects, including the emerald cockroach, this year’s featured insect, which is being highlighted for the first time since the creation of NHM’s most popular annual event.

Visitors will experience up-close encounters with crawly creatures, meet scientists who will share knowledge about insects and their benefits to the environment, learn about insect slime and meet Spongebob characters at the Nickelodeon booth, and watch an insect-focused cooking demonstration. Visitors can also get hands-on with activities throughout the weekend and can explore the museum’s diorama halls, which will be filled with exhibitors and vendors presenting live exotic insect collections and offering unique bug-related products.

Bug Fair participants are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles to fill up free at the LADWP water station. Season one of Apple TV+’s Prehistoric Planet will be shown in the Second Floor Mammal Hall.

The Bug Fair is free with museum admission. The Natural History Museum is located at 900 Exposition Blvd. For information, visit nhm.org.