Hershey Gardens

Junior Scout "Flowers Naturalist" Badge Workshop
2019-06-08 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Junior scouts will dig up flower facts when earning this naturalist badge. Activities include going on a flower hunt, dyeing flowers, investigating the benefit of plants and creating a floral arrangement.
Workshop is $12 per scout (badge included) and $12 per accompanying adults. Program includes admission to the Gardens and Butterfly Atrium for the day.
Advanced registration is required – please register here. Registration closes on June 5.

Susquehanna Iris Society Display
2019-05-25 09:00 - 15:00
Enjoy the showy flowers of the Iris in this display provided by the Susquehanna Iris Society. Included in admission; free for members.

National Public Gardens Day
2019-05-10 09:00 - 15:00
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day at Hershey Gardens! Enjoy the 23 gorgeous acres, as well as the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory and indoor Butterfly Atrium – at half off!
Simply print or show this voucher at admissions (on Friday, May 10, 2019 only) to save half off all admissions.

Daisy Scout Workshop: Tula Petal
2019-04-28 12:00 - 12:30
Daisy scouts will earn their ‘Tula’ petal by learning how to be courageous and strong. Activities include art projects around the theme of courage and planting a seed to take home.
Workshop is $12 per scout (fun patch included) and $12 per accompanying adults. Program includes admission to the Gardens and Butterfly Atrium for the day.
Registration has closed for this event, however girl scout troops are always welcome to visit the Gardens and participate in the Scouting for Nature Scavenger Hunt!

Spring Homeschool Day
2019-04-23 09:30 - 22:30
Homeschool Day: Celebrating Biodiversity
For Kindergarten Through Grade 8
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Families are encouraged to arrive by 10:30 a.m. to ensure sufficient time to participate in all programs.
Activities will include:
Exploration (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.): Explore biodiversity and the environment in the Educational & Horticultural Wing. Students can complete a craft and visit numerous learning stations. (Appropriate for Elementary Students)
Biodiversity of Bees (10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., & 12:00 p.m.): Most of us recognize the honey bee and the bumblebee, yet bees are quite diverse, with some 400 species native to Pennsylvania. Come hear about this diversity and its positive impact on our environment. (Appropriate for Elementary and Middle School Students)
Biodiversity and Animals by ZooAmerica (10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.): How do animals contribute to a diverse and balanced environment? Come learn from a ZooAmerica expert, along with some of their animal friends. (Appropriate for Elementary and Middle School Students)
Cost: $8 per student. $9 per adult Tickets available here. Registration closes on April 21.
(Homeschool Day admission also includes entrance into the Butterfly Atrium and Hershey Gardens.)
Homeschool Day provides a service beyond regular Gardens admission. Therefore, no discounts, passes, or memberships are accepted.
Program will be held rain or shine.
Picnic tables (outdoor) are available for packed lunches.

Easter Sunrise Service
2019-04-21 06:30 - 08:00
A Hershey Gardens tradition that began in 1947, the community is invited to join the Hershey Ministerium for this non-denominational service. No admission fee prior to 8 a.m.

Gardenfest: Free Community Day
2019-03-31 09:00 - 15:00
Hershey Gardens is proud to offer free admission on Sunday, March 31 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy the 23 acres, the MIlton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory and the indoor Butterfly Atrium.
Plus, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., enjoy presentations from local gardening and horticultural organizations.
Please note: the Butterfly Atrium has a capacity limit of 240 guests per hour.

“Identification and Management of the New Invasive Insect, Spotted Lanternfly,” Presented by Manada Conservancy
2019-02-21 07:00 - 08:00
Manada Conservancy Presents “Identification and Management of the New Invasive Insect, the Spotted Lanternfly”

Join us for this free presentation to discuss the new invasive insect in PA, the spotted lanternfly.
Heather Leach, the spotted lanternfly extension associate at Penn State, will talk about the impact of the spotted lanternfly across Pennsylvania, including homeowners, the green industry and grape growers. She will provide an overview of how to prepare for spotted lanternfly and the research happening at Penn State to control this insect.
This program is free and open to the public. Please register by contacting the Manada Conservancy office at office@manada.org or 717-566-4122.

Guided Bird Tour
2019-02-17 11:00 - 12:00
Join local birder and Lancaster County Bird Club board member Ted Nichols for a walk through the gardens as part of the 2019 Great Backyard Bird Count. This one-hour walk will introduce participants to a variety of birds and the tally of birds spotted will be submitted to contribute to this annual global “citizen science” research project. Bring a pair of binoculars to participate! Included in admission; free for members.

Guided Bird Tour
2019-02-16 10:00 - 11:00
Join a member of the Quittapahilla Audobon Society for a guided bird tour as part of the 2019 Great Backyard Bird Count. Don't forget a pair of binoculars! Included in admission; free for members.

Photography Exhibit Presented by Members of the West Shore Photography Club
2019-02-08 09:00 - 2019-02-21 15:00
“Landscapes, Seascapes, Cityscapes”: A Photography Exhibit Presented by Members of the West Shore Photography Club
Friday February 8 – Thursday, February 21
Take a trip around the world through photographs provided by members of the West Shore Photography Club in a photography exhibit exploring the theme of Landscapes, Seascapes, Cityscapes. Exhibit will be on display in the Educational & Horticultural Wing.
Included in admission; free for members.

Member-Only Preview: Orchid Show & Sale
2019-01-31 12:00 - 15:00
Member-Only Preview: Thursday, January 31 from 2 to 5 p.m.
The Orchid Show, Hosted by the Susquehanna Orchid Society
Friday, February 1 through Sunday, February 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Returning for the third year, the Susquehanna Orchid Society presents the 34th annual orchid show and sale in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory.
More than 1,000 orchids representing dozens of orchid varieties will be on display including rare species and unique hybrids. Orchid societies from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware participate in the annual exhibit. In addition, vendors will have orchids for sale and showy displays that will be judged onsite and presented with awards.
Included in admission; members are free.

Gardens is closed
2018-12-25 09:00 - 15:00
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Gardens closes at 3 p.m.
2018-12-24 13:00 - 15:00

Gardens is closed for Thanksgiving holiday
2018-11-22 09:00 - 15:00

Bug-O-Rama
2018-09-08 10:00 - 14:00
Explore the world of bugs in this family-friendly interactive day! Come for show, tell and touch displays of unique, live insects from around the world! Included in admission, free for members!

In addition to seeing fascinating creatures from all over the world, such as a whip scorpion, jungle nymph, tarantula and a giant millipede, adventurous kids can even sample an edible bug from 12 to 2 p.m. Chocolate-covered crickets and pizza-flavored superworms are on the menu.
Popular activities, including cockroach races, will also be featured, as will kids’ crafts, storytelling and games. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., children can get an insect face painting or glitter tattoo; $5 per child. Educational presentations will also be offered for adults.
10:30 a.m. – “Gardening for Pollinators” (adult education), Education Center
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Face painting and glitter tattoos, $5 per child, tent
11:30 a.m. – Butterfly collection presentation, Education Center
11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Storytime, Amphitheater
12 to 2 p.m. – Edible bug cart, Educational & Horticultural wing
12:30 p.m. – Bug bingo, Amphitheater
1 p.m. – “The Buzz on Bees” (adult education), Education Center
2 p.m. – “What Do Birds Eat?” (adult education), Education Center
Ongoing ac tivities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
• Live insect presentations/discussions
• 2018 Pennsylvania Honey Queen Hannah Albright
• Cockroach racing
• Bug craft stations
• Bug puzzle station
• Activities/games
