Santa Fe Bug and Reptile Museum Hosts Halloween Event

The local museum held its inaugural Halloween Bug Ball to celebrate and share its collection of critters with the community.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Reptiles

Santa Fe Bug and Reptile Museum Hosts Halloween Event

Live Poll

Do you believe it is important to support unique local educational events in your community?

The Santa Fe Bug and Reptile Museum hosted its first annual Halloween Bug Ball as a fundraiser. The event offered attendees a chance to engage with the facility's unique collection of animals and insects.

Why it matters

The event was designed to provide adults in Santa Fe with a unique opportunity to connect directly with various creatures. It serves as a creative educational outreach effort for the local museum.

The inaugural Halloween Bug Ball features exhibits of a tarantula, a hissing cockroach, axolotls, scorpions, and a giant walking stick bug. These creatures are maintained by the museum founded by Beth and Wade Harrell.

The players

Beth Harrell

Beth Harrell is a founder of the Santa Fe Bug and Reptile Museum.

Wade Harrell

Wade Harrell is a founder of the Santa Fe Bug and Reptile Museum.

The details

Attendees participated in costume preparations at the Electra Gallery while enjoying live music and interactive activities. The museum provides hands-on experiences to help visitors learn about the variety of animals in its permanent collection.

Costume preparations for the Halloween Bug Ball occurred on October 27, 2026.

Culture Shift

The inaugural Halloween Bug Ball represents a shift toward immersive, adult-focused community engagement within the local museum landscape. By utilizing costume culture to bridge the gap between people and invertebrates, the museum is expanding the accessibility of natural history.

Residents of Santa Fe interested in the museum's ongoing efforts can look for future interactive events that provide hands-on access to the facility's collection. The fundraiser directly supports the museum's ability to maintain its exhibits and continue community outreach.

The takeaway

Engaging with unconventional pets can be a fun way to support local educational institutions and broaden your appreciation for biodiversity. Consider visiting the museum during future public events to support their ongoing mission.