Spider Fest 2025

Tarantula Collective Open House

Sunday, July 20, 2025 | 11 AM–5 PM | The Tarantula Collective Studio, Wheeling, WV

Join us for the 2nd annual Spider Fest, a laid-back, family-friendly open house at Tarantula Collective Studios in Wheeling, WV. This is your chance to tour the space, check out a wide variety of animals, including a naturalistic 75-gallon axolotl tank, geckos, kingsnakes, isopods, and over 100 species of tarantula, all while connecting with other enthusiasts.

This isn’t a reptile expo or vendor show. It’s a chill, casual gathering with a few trusted vendors, good conversations, and a chance to see some incredible animals up close. Whether you're just getting into the hobby or have been keeping for years, Spider Fest is a great opportunity to learn, meet new people, and maybe even leave with a new addition to your collection.

What You'll Experience

• A full studio tour of The Tarantula Collective

• Tarantulas, invertebrates, reptiles, and more on display

• Naturalistic 75-gallon axolotl tank, geckos, kingsnakes, and isopod cultures

• Meet Richard and see some of the inverts bred right here at the studio

• Exclusive Tarantula Collective merch available

• Select vendors offering animals and supplies, including:

  • Tarantula Cribs – premium acrylic enclosures

  • Tie Dyed Tarantula – tarantulas for sale

  • Haus of le Spood – jumping spiders

  • P.T. Reptiles Ohio & The Bug Barn – isopods and feeders

  • Chaotic Inverts – scorpions and more

  • Tarantula Collective – true spiders and select inverts for sale

Admission

This event is completely free to attend.
There will be a donation bucket on-site if you'd like to support the event or the work of The Tarantula Collective.

While RSVP is not required, we encourage you to mark “Going” on the Facebook event page so we have an idea of how many people to expect.

Travel and Food Info

If you're coming from out of town, here are a few nearby recommendations:

Lodging:

• Oglebay Resort & Lodge

• Hampton Inn Wheeling (National Road)

Food:

• The Vagabond Kitchen, a great local spot for fresh, scratch-made meals

Flying In:
The closest major airport is Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), located about an hour northeast of Wheeling, WV. It’s a scenic and straightforward drive, and rental cars are available at the airport.