Festivals aren't just for people! With the popularity of "transformational" festivals growing, we would like to bring to light the ultimate transformational festival: Santa Cruz's Butterfly Festival. At Natural Bridges Park in Santa Cruz, California winter marks the return of thousands of monarch butterflies. 

The western population of monarchs overwinters in California coastal groves from mid-October to mid-February. Natural Bridges State Park provides a temporary home to 100,000 monarchs on their journey to the milkweed that supports them and creates the toxicity that makes them a very unappetizing treat for birds and other would-be predators. 

There are two family-friendly official celebrations, but you can enjoy this miracle of nature anytime during the butterfly season:

The Migration Festival  February 8, 2014 11am - 4pm. A celebration of all things that migrate: butterflies, birds and whales.

Welcome Back Monarchs Day October 12, 2014 10am - 4pm. A butterfly parade and day to learn about these beautiful creatures while welcoming them home.

All photos by Art Gimbel