Hershey Gardens

Hershey Gardens Member Reception
2025-09-25 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
NEW DATE! Members, look for your invitation in the mail!

Bonsai Exhibit by Susquehanna Bonsai Club
2025-09-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-01 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-02 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-03 09:00 - 17:00 and 8 more dates
September 24 through October 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Marvel at a variety of bonsai specimens from the premiere bonsai club of the Susquehanna Valley. Exhibit on display in the Hoop House.
Included in admission, free for members.

Intro to Forest Bathing
2025-09-27 09:15 - 11:15, 2025-10-11 09:15 - 11:15
Intro to Forest Bathing with ANFT Forest Therapy Guide Lauren Berg
Saturday, September 27 and Saturday, October 11 from 9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
$30 for members, $35 non members
Forest bathing is a guided experience that invites participants to slow down, engage their senses, and cultivate a deeper connection with the natural world. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, forest bathing has been shown to reduce stress, boost immune function,and enhance overall well-being.
During the walk, your guide will offer embodiment-focused “invitations,” which participants can use as a guideline, recognizing that each individual has a unique path to follow. Invitations are followed by a time to gather, listen and share, during which all expressions are welcome. The walk will end with a light tea tasting.
The walk will include changes in grade and walking surfaces as you may go off the main paved path and onto wood carpet or grass. Shoes with good tread are recommended. As this walk will be held outdoors, please dress for weather conditions and bring a water bottle. Rain or shine.
Online registration required here.
(5 minimum attendance, 25 maximum attendance)
Lauren Berg bio: Lauren Berg has spent over 12 years helping people connect with the outdoors, from facilitating ropes courses and guiding backpacking trips, to leading forest bathing walks as a Certified Forest Therapy Guide. Whether hiking in the mountains or savoring a quiet moment with coffee and birdsong, Lauren believes nature offers a space for reflection, restoration, and growth. Through gentle, sensory-based invitations, forest bathing participants are invited to slow down, engage their senses, and experience the healing benefits of time in nature.

Guided Walk
2025-09-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-18 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-25 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-01 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 throughout the seasons. Bring your curiosity!
Included with admission, free for members.

Fall Homeschool Day: Green Careers
2025-09-30 09:30 - 15:00
Tuesday, September 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Gain insights into outdoor careers, from horticulture to conservation and sustainability. Explore the garden as we highlight our careers at Hershey Gardens and welcome special guests from the industry.

Industry guests include:

Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Harrisburg University West Shore Wildlife Center Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society

Open to student groups, please click here for group rates. Open to the general public, general admission rates apply.

$11 per student, $13 per adult; includes admission to Hershey Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium. Free for ages 2 and under. Registration required here; closes on September 28.

Demonstration of Nature Journaling
2025-10-04 10:00 - 12:00
Drop in between 10 a.m. and noon to see a demonstration of nature journaling techniques, ask questions of a seasoned nature journalist and review materials in our nature journaling kit available to check out during your next visit.
Demonstration located in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory.
Included in admission; free for members.

Bonsai Demonstration by Susquehanna Bonsai Club
2025-10-04 10:00 - 14:00
Join members of the Susquehanna Bonsai Club for multiple demonstrations of how to take care of bonsai specimens. Demonstration will be held in The Children’s Garden. In case of inclement weather, it will be moved to the Conservatory.
Included in admission, free for members.

Eco-Fiction Book Group
2025-10-24 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

Pumpkin Palooza Test
2025-10-29 09:00 - 17:00
October 18, 19, 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kids, come in costume and trick or treat at four Hershey’s candy stations, enjoy over 200 painted pumpkins, a unique 14-foot “pumpkin tree” and the perfect photo backdrop of pumpkin mosaics! Plus, stop by to see if you can handle the Creepy Creatures Gallery! See (and hold!) Madagascar hissing cockroaches every day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Plus, enjoy kids’ craft activities, food trucks and hundreds of mums on display, including a colorful 9-foot mum display. Included in admission, free for members.

Saturday, October 18
Food Trucks: Noel’s Café, Cheesesteak Shuttle, Marsicos, Madelyn’s Sweets and Savories, Jack and Joan’s Kettle Corn
Sunday, October 19
Food Trucks: Noel’s Café, Cheesesteak Shuttle, Marsicos, Madelyn’s Sweets and Savories, Jack and Joan’s Kettle Corn
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Wind ensemble
Saturday, October 25
Food Trucks: Noel’s Café, Cheesesteak Shuttle, Marsicos, Madelyn’s Sweets and Savories, Jack and Joan’s Kettle Corn, Shorty’s Funnel Cakes
Sunday, October 26
Food Trucks: Noel’s Café, Marsicos, Madelyn’s Sweets and Savories, Jack and Joan’s Kettle Corn, Shorty’s Funnel Cakes
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Chilin Quartet
Painted pumpkins courtesy of Milton Hershey School, Hershey High School, Lower Dauphin High School, Bishop McDevitt High School, York College of Pennsylvania Plant and Gardening Club, York College of Pennsylvania Student Senate.

Sponsors:
