Firefly Nights
at Blue Spring State Park
March 13th - April 12th!!!
Prepare to be enchanted as the trees along the boardwalk glow with the soft, shimmering light of fireflies. Beginning Friday, March 13, the forest at Blue Spring State Park transforms each evening as hundreds of fireflies rise from the forest floor and dance beneath the canopy. It’s one of Florida’s most breathtaking natural spectacles—and we’re thrilled to share it with you.
Read on for everything you need to know to make the most of your Firefly Nights experience.
2100 W French Ave Orange City, FL 32763
Coffman’s Glow Scale
Ronnie Coffman has been a volunteer at Blue Spring State Park for 20 years. Thirteen years ago, he began his fascination with Blue Spring’s fireflies, and for over a decade he has been educating visitors on how to observe and respect them. Each night, the firefly activity is measured using the Coffman Scale, and we share the rating the following morning on @bluespringstatepark_ on Facebook and Instagram.
The Coffman Scale reflects the stage of the season, not the quality of the experience. Firefly season naturally begins with lighter activity, gradually builds to a peak, and then tapers off again. Early‑season and late‑season nights often fall in the 1–2 range, while peak nights reach a 5.
No matter the number, every firefly night is magical, and each stage of the season offers its own unique beauty.
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 2026 color
Glo-a-tees: Hand-sewn manatees with glow-in-the-dark wings and tail AND crocheted precious lil ones
BRAND NEW: Your very own firefly to take home!
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 2026 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. The pass is $14 for a vehicle with up to 8 people.
The proceeds go towards supporting the Friends of Blue Spring State Park. The pass 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 arrive at the park by 6:00 PM and no later than 7 pm . It is recommended to arrive early for this event due to its popularity. All guests must leave the park by 9:00pm.
Please purchase your pass ahead of time via the link above, as you are then guaranteed entry. The park closes the gate at 8pm nightly and no entry will be allowed after that.
There are 2 Firefly Chats each night at 6:45 and 7:15.
What Should I Bring?
Natural Insect Protection such as Long Sleeves, Pants, and Citronella/Peppermint Scented Lotion
Glow sticks will be available for purchase for only $1 each. If you need a light, it must be a dim red light only.
Water in refillable bottle - no single use plastic please! Canned water is available for only $2-3.
Please DO NOT Bring:
For the safety of the fireflies please refrain from bringing/using:
NO white lights of any kind are permitted, including cell phone lights, flashlights, or flash photography.
Bug Spray
No pets; only ADA service dogs are permitted.
Do Not Touch, 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. If the event is canceled, your pre‑purchased After Hours Parking Pass makes you eligible to attend on another night. No other refunds are available.
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 tree canopy!!
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
