2026 Season · Knox County, Tennessee
A summer night lit by thousands.
For two short weeks each year, the synchronous fireflies of Molly Branch perform one of nature’s rarest light shows. Limited tickets. Unforgettable evenings.
- Late May – Early June 2026
- Molly Branch, Knox County
- Dusk arrivals only
The Phenomenon
One of only a handful of places on Earth where fireflies flash in perfect rhythm.
Photinus carolinus is famously elusive. For a few weeks each spring, males rise from the leaf litter and signal in unison — a wave of light pulsing across the forest floor before falling completely dark. Then, again. And again.
At Molly Branch we host a small number of guests each evening so the meadow stays quiet, dark, and respectful of the show.
Our Story
A family meadow in Knox County — opened to the world in 2018 in memory of Jeanette Bennett.
What began in 2002 as a quiet wonder noticed by Ken Bennett has grown into an intimate annual gathering — featured by National Geographic and visited by guests from across the country and overseas.
2026 Tickets
Reserve your evening
Tickets are released in limited nightly allotments and historically sell out within hours. Join the early-access list to be notified the moment sales open.
Adult
$30
Up to 4 guests, includes parking and printed guide.
Notify Me
Patron Evening
$30
Everything you need to know
When to arrive
Gates open 30 minutes before sunset. Plan to be seated by dusk for the full show.
Getting here
Driving directions and on-site parking details are emailed with your ticket confirmation.
Firefly etiquette
No flashlights, no flash photography, soft voices. The fireflies thank you.
From the Journal
Field notes from the meadow
What began in 2002 as a quiet wonder noticed by Ken Bennett has grown into an intimate annual gathering — featured by National Geographic and visited by guests from across the country and overseas.
Behind the scenes
MBF May 15, 2026 Fireflies
May 2026
Behind the scenes
MBF May 20, 2026 Fireflies
May 2026
Be the first to know
Tickets sell out quickly. Subscribers get a 24-hour head start when 2026 sales open.