Hershey Gardens

Winter Bird Watch
2026-01-24 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
(NEW DATE!) Saturday, January 24, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Feeding the Birds
Saturday, February 14, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Love is on the Wing; Bird ID and Mate Selection
Bring the whole family—and your binoculars—and learn to identify the various birds that call Hershey Gardens home during the winter. Each Saturday we’ll walk you through Project Feederwatch, take you on a unique guided bird walk and provide additional information about identification and feeding. For the youngest birders, additional bird family crafts and activities will be offered in the classroom. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. In partnership with Quittapahilla Audubon Society.
Registration is required by calling 717.508.5968.
Included in admission, free for members.

Live Feedings at the Zoology Zone Interactive Cart
2026-01-23 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-01-16 12:00 - 12:30
Fridays, January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Drop in at noon each Friday in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory to watch our insectivores- our insect eating animals- receive a special nutritious snack! While receiving an overview about each of our predatory insects, frogs, and arachnids, learn about the feeder insects too!
Included in admission, free for members.

Eco-Fiction Book Group
2026-01-23 10:00 - 11:30
Join us 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 us 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, January 23, 2026 – There are Rivers in the Sky, Elif Shafak (non-fiction – Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames, Lara Maiklem)Friday, April 24, 2026 – State of Wonder, Ann Patchett) (non-fiction – Finding the Mother Tree, Suzanne Simard)Friday, July 24, 2026 – Where the Rivers Merge, Mary Alice Monroe (non-fiction – Low Country: A Memoir, J. Nicole Jones)Friday, October 23, 2026 – Annihilation, Jeff VanderMeer (non-fiction – The Secret Life of Plants: A Fascinating Account of the Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Relations between Plants and Man, Peter Thompkins)
Book selections for each month can be found at your local public library or at any major retailer. Included in admission; free for members.

To register, please email Kaitlin Dannenberg at kadannenberg@hersheygardens.org

Winter Wednesdays Family Series: Winter Animal Adaptations
2026-01-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-14 10:00 - 12:00
January 14, 21, 28, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Each week meet new “friends” at the Zoology Zone Interactive Cart and engage in family activities that explore how animals and plants survive winter. We’ll compare and contrast native species to our Zoology Zone species, discuss winter survival, and when seeds are sleepy over winter. Activity located in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory and Education Center.
Included in admission, free for members.

Student Christmas Tree Showcase
2026-01-01 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-31 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-24 09:00 - 15:00 and 3 more dates
Friday, November 21 through Thursday, January 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Christmas Eve)
Enjoy dozens of creative ornaments made by local school students on display on live Fraser fir trees in the Garden Cottage.
Included in admission, free for members.

The Christmas Tree Showcase
2026-01-01 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-31 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-23 09:00 - 17:00 and 2 more dates
Friday, November 21 through Thursday, January 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Closed on Thanksgiving and Chistmas, closes at 3 p.m. on 12/24)

Our signature holiday event features ten colorful tree displays with twinkling lights; each unique tree is created by a talented local designer.
Guests can enjoy a pair of 14-foot and 8-foot poinsettia and tropical trees, plus the historic Hersheypark Comet coaster car is back for family photo ops and the Butterfly Atrium will be decorated for the holidays!
Located in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory. Included with admission, free for members.

Sponsors:

Dr. Tom Davis

CLOSED
2025-12-25 08:00 - 17:00

The Christmas Tree Showcase
2025-12-24 09:00 - 15:00
Friday, November 21 through Thursday, January 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Closes at 3 p.m. on 12/24, closed on 12/25)

Our signature holiday event features colorful tree displays with twinkling lights; each unique tree is created by a talented local designer. New this year, guests will enjoy a pair of 14-foot and 8-foot poinsettia and tropical trees! The historic Hersheypark Comet coaster car is back for family photo ops and the Butterfly Atrium will be decorated for the holidays!
Located in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory. Included with admission, free for members.
Sponsors:

Dr. Tom Davis

Storytime with Mrs. Claus
2025-12-20 11:00 - 11:30
Kids, come listen to your favorite holiday stories with Mrs. Claus in the Garden Cottage!
Included in admission, free for members.
