Keiki, “Baby” Orchid Mounting Workshop
2024-02-17 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Many orchids grow on trees and receive nutrients from the air and water. In this two-hour class, you’ll learn how to mount an orchid to a wood slab and leave the workshop with a mounted Keiki “Baby” orchid to hang in your home. Learn best practices for watering, misting, light and nutrient needs. Additionally, take a tour of the Butterfly Atrium and view various orchid species. All supplies are provided. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing as you’ll be standing and working with plant material. Includes admission to Hershey Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium.
$35 Hershey Gardens Members, $45 Non-members
Pre-registration is required here.
Class will be located in the Garden Cottage.
Instructor: Sarah Neighbors, Butterfly Atrium Associate

Manada Conservancy Program: Woodland Vernal Ponds
2024-02-22 19:00 - 20:00
Manada Conservancy Free Program:
Woodland Vernal Ponds, with Gene Wingert
Located in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory at Hershey Gardens
Vernal ponds are an integral part of the forest community. These small wetlands typically fill with water during the fall, then dry in late spring. The organisms that breed in these ponds are important to the forest ecosystem. In this free education program, you can follow the ecology of a vernal pond through a single year and investigate the migrations and breeding behaviors of amphibians that use these special wetlands. Dickinson College Environmental Science instructor Gene Wingert will share his expertise.
To register for this free educational programs, email Manada Conservancy at office@manada.org, call at 717-566-4122.

Guided Walk
2024-02-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-30 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-04-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-04-13 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-04-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-04-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-04 10:00 - 11:00
Join Dr. Ray Barbehenn, a biologist with an expertise in plant ecology, for an hour-long adventure through the gardens as you learn about plants and trees. Bring your curiosity!
Included with admission, free for members.

Guided Walk CANCELLED
2024-03-02 10:00 - 11:00

Winter Highlights Walk - CANCELLED
2024-03-02 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-03-09 11:30 - 12:30
Saturday, January 6 and January 13
Saturday, March 2 and March 9
from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Guests are invited to participate in guided walks to observe and enjoy the gardens in the winter months and witness changes in nature during our colder months. Guests can attend one or more walks; registration is not required. Weather permitting.

Included in admission, free for members.

Guided Walk - CANCELLED
2024-03-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-23 10:00 - 11:00

Daisy Badge Requirement Workshop
2024-03-09 10:00 - 12:00
Daisy “Design, Shapes and Numbers in Nature” Badge Requirement Workshop
Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Registration closes March 6

You have the ability to fulfill the requirements of the Daisy Design, Shapes and Numbers in Nature badges by identifying shapes and patterns, exploring measurements and counting! Cost does not include badges, they are not provided. Please dress for some outdoor activities. After registering online, present your ticket at the Scout information table before completing activities. Your admission ticket includes general admission to the Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium.
$12.50 per Scout, $14.50 per Scout leader or designated troop chaperone
General admission ticket required for accompanying family members. At least one adult is required to register and accompany each troop, or individual Scout.
Pre-registration is required here.

Easter Sunrise Service
2024-03-31 06:30 - 08:00
Enjoy a Hershey Gardens tradition that began in 1947. This non-denominational service, provided by the Hershey Ministerium, includes an American sign language interpreter. No admission fee prior to 8 a.m. Service will also be live streamed at fishburnumc.org.
Gates open at 6 a.m. Guests must exit by 8 a.m.

Manada Conservancy presents “For the Love of Groundcovers”
2024-04-11 19:00 - 20:00
Ian Gardner of Green Gardner Designs will discuss the many benefits and options for planting native groundcovers in your home landscape. Some of the featured varieties will be available through the Manada Conservancy online native plant store, which is open through April 15, or at the in-person sale event on May 4.
This program is free and open to the public. Please register by contacting Manada Conservancy at office@manada.org or 717.566.4122.

Brownie “Bugs” Badge Workshop
2024-04-13 10:00 - 12:00
Registration closes March 31
Earn your “Bugs” Brownie badge between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the Gardens. Price includes the cost of your “Bugs” badge as well as general admission to the Gardens and the indoor Butterfly Atrium. After registering online, present your ticket at the Scout information table to receive a checklist of activities to complete during the event.
$14.50 per Scout, $14.50 per Scout leader.
General admission ticket required for accompanying family members.
Pre-registration is required here.

Tunes in the Tulips
2024-04-13 11:30 - 13:30, 2024-04-20 11:30 - 13:30
Saturday, April 13 and Saturday April 20 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Enjoy local musician Ray Costanzo as plays his guitar and ukulele among the tulips!
Hershey resident Ray Costanzo is a volunteer and member of Hershey Gardens. He began playing guitar in his teens and the ukulele a few years ago. Ray’s music includes country, folk and originals.
**Event subject to cancellation for inclement weather
To see the current status of the tulips, follow us on Facebook.

Junior “Flowers” Badge Workshop
2024-04-13 13:00 - 15:00
Registration closes March 31
Earn your “Flowers” Gardener badge by exploring the science and meaning of flowers! Price includes the cost of your “Flowers” badge. After registering online, present your ticket at the Scout information table to receive a checklist of activities to complete at our stations between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Your admission ticket includes general admission to the Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium.
$20 per Scout, $14.50 per Scout leader.
General admission ticket required for accompanying family members.
Pre-registration is required here.

Spring Homeschool Day: Geoscience
2024-04-16 09:30 - 12:30
Geology rocks! Explore the rock and mineral world during our spring homeschool day. Join a geoscientist from the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources for presentations at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. about the geology of Pennsylvania. Visit various stations to explore soil composition, fossils, limestone and different types of rocks as you journey through the rock cycle! Program is designed for 1st through 5th graders.
$11 per student, $13 per adult; includes admission to Hershey Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium
Free for ages 2 and under.
Registration is required here; closes on April 14.
Please note: Homeschool Day provides a service beyond regular Gardens admission, therefore, no discounts, passes, or memberships are accepted. Program will be held rain or shine.

Daisy “Eco-Learner” Badge Workshop
2024-04-20 10:00 - 14:00
Registration closes April 7
Earn your “Eco-Learner” badge by learning different ways to protect the environment during our Earth Day celebration! Price includes the cost of your “Eco-Learner” badge. Your registration includes general admission to the Gardens, the Butterfly Atrium, and our Earth Day activities. After registering online, present your ticket at the Scout information table before heading out to the gardens or atrium to complete your requirements.
$14.50 per Scout, $14.50 per Scout leader or designated troop chaperone
General admission ticket required for accompanying family members. At least one adult is required to register and accompany each troop, or individual Scout.
Pre-registration is required here.

Earth Day Celebration
2024-04-20 10:00 - 14:00
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. View a selection of heritage breed farm animals in the Amphitheatre and join our teen volunteers as they lead drop-in activities to inspire young guests to take care of our planet. Learn about cover crops, vermiculture, composting, wildflowers and pollinators, and recycling! For an additional cost, enjoy ice cream from Sarah’s Creamery.
Schedule of Events:
11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. X3 Chinese Music Ensemble, Gazebo
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. “Farm Recycling with Heritage Breed Animals”
Included in admission; free for members.

Arbor Day Celebration
2024-04-26 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-27 11:00 - 13:00
Roving tour guides will be strolling the Gardens, sharing the history of Hershey Gardens and highlighting some of our favorite trees. Mini tours will be offered along the Arboretum trail.
Included in admission; free for members.

Celebrate National Public Gardens Day with Half-Off Voucher
2024-05-10 09:00 - 17:00
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day with Half-off Admission with Voucher
Friday, May 10 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. only.
Celebrate national public gardens by visiting Hershey Gardens – and save half off your admission with this voucher. The voucher can be shown on your phone, or it can be printed.

Eco-Fiction Book Group
2024-05-10 10:00 - 11:30
Join us quarterly to explore works of eco-fiction, nature and environment-oriented works, which often include a human element. It is not necessary to attend all sessions—join when you can! New participants are always welcome. We encourage you to read each month’s selection prior to the meeting to fully participate in the discussion. Located in the Garden Cottage. All sessions are from 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Friday, November 8 “The Botanist’s Daughter” by Kayte Nunn
2025 Dates:

Friday, January 24: “How Beautiful We Were” by Imbolo Mbue Bonus book – Stone Creek by Kate Brandes
Friday, April 25: “The Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler Bonus book- Bee Conspiracy by David Boito
Friday, July 25: “The High House” by Jessie Greengrass
Friday, October 24: “Gun Island” by Amitae Ghosh
If you have the time, check out the bonus reads which are lesser-known novels with a similar theme.

Book selections for each month can be found at your local public library or at any major retailer.
Please contact Vera Kolstrom to register: 717.508.5970 or velkolstrom@hersheygardens.org.

Mother’s Day Weekend: Free Admission for Moms!
2024-05-11 09:00 - 17:00
Mother’s Day Weekend: Free Admission for Moms!
Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For an additional fee, enjoy food trucks from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.:
Sarah’s Creamery on Saturday and Sunday
Noel’s Café on Sunday only
On Sunday, see a variety of rhododendrons and azaleas from the Mason Dixon Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society on display in the Education Center in The Children’s Garden.
