Hershey Gardens

Winter Highlights Walk
2025-01-25 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-02-08 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for a Winter Highlight Walk!
Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Join friends of Hershey Gardens for a walk around the garden to enjoy the beauty of winter. Eclipsed by flowers in other seasons, the trees and shrubs take center stage during the winter months. Diverse colors, shapes and textures will highlight the Gardens’ natural architecture.
Join us for any or all of the walks. No registration is required. Walks will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Check this listing for cancellations.
Included with admission, members are free.

Annual Orchid Show & Sale: Member Preview
2025-01-30 14:00 - 17:00
Annual Orchid Show & Sale
“For the Love of Orchids,” by the Susquehanna Orchid Society
Member-Only Preview: Thursday, January 30, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Open to the Public: Friday, January 31 through Sunday, February 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Susquehanna Orchid Society presents its 41st annual orchid show and sale in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory. More than 1,000 orchids representing hundreds of varieties will be on display, including rare species and unique hybrids. Daily informational sessions will take place in the exhibition and Garden Cottage. In addition, vendors will have orchids for sale; various orchid societies will have showy displays that will be judged onsite and presented with national awards.
Click here to see the full schedule of events January 31 – February 2.
Included in admission; free for members.

Annual Orchid Show & Sale
2025-01-31 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-01 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-02 09:00 - 17:00
Annual Orchid Show & Sale
“For the Love of Orchids,” by the Susquehanna Orchid Society
Member-Only Preview: Thursday, January 30, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Open to the Public: Friday, January 31 through Sunday, February 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Susquehanna Orchid Society presents its 41st annual orchid show and sale in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory. More than 1,000 orchids representing hundreds of varieties will be on display, including rare species and unique hybrids. Daily informational sessions will take place in the exhibition and Garden Cottage. In addition, vendors will have orchids for sale; various orchid societies will have showy displays that will be judged onsite and presented with national awards. Included in admission; free for members.
Click here to see the show exhibitors, vendors and orchid societies.
Schedule of Events
Susquehanna Orchid Society Informational Table: Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Repot Spot: Bring your orchids for assistance in dividing and repotting. Supplies can be purchased in the vendor area.
Ask the Orchid Experts: Bring your orchids, or photos, and get advice from expert growers. These orchids may be kept in the designated “plant sitting” area during your visit.

30-Minute Informational Sessions: These take place in the Garden Cottage, no sign-up is necessary. Please come early for the best seating.
Friday, January 31
10 a.m. – “Growing Vandas in Your Home” by Walt Meshaka
11 a.m. – “How Not to Kill Your Orchid” by John Stoner
12 p.m. – “Growing Media – How to Choose” by PK Dennis
2 p.m. – “What I’ve learned in My First Year of Growing Orchids” by Missy Cooper
3 p.m. – “What Pot to Use – How to Choose” by John Whiting
Saturday, February 1
10 a.m. – “The Secret to Successfully Growing Orchids” by Ken Meier
11 a.m. – “Growing Media – How to Choose” by PK Dennis
12 p.m. – “Growing Phalaenopsis in Your Home” by Trey Pyfer
1 p.m. – “Treating Orchid Pests & Diseases” by Walt Meshaka
2 p.m. – “Your Orchid Questions Answered” by Steve Male & Walt Meshaka
3 p.m. – “How to Buy the Best Orchid for You” by John Whiting
Sunday, February 2
10 a.m. – “Growing & Blooming Tolumnia Orchids” by John Stoner
11 a.m. – “Slipper Orchid Culture & Care” by Wade Hollenbach
12 p.m. – “How to Divide & Repot Orchids” by Walt Meshaka
1 p.m. – “Growing Media – How to Choose” by PK Dennis
2 p.m. – “Growing Cymbidium Orchids” by Jay Holcomb
New this year! Kelley’s Korner Orchid Supplies is featuring New Zealand Tree Fern Fiber, the latest addition to potting media for orchid growers. This is recommended for those who grow orchids inside their home, as it is easy to rewet, and it wicks moisture evenly throughout the pot. Orchid growers are raving about the results of this media, which is expected to last 5 years before needing to be refreshed. It is also a sustainably harvested product.

Guided Walk
2025-02-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-02-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-02-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-22 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.

Art Show & Sale: Hershey Area Art Association
2025-02-14 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-15 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-16 09:00 - 16:00
Art Show & Sale
“For the Love of Art” by the Hershey Area Art Association
February 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and February 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This dazzling display of art will feature work by members of the Hershey Area Art Association. Pieces for purchase will include woodworking to prints, acrylic and oil, jewelry and more. Located in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory.
Join us on Saturday, February 15 from 2 to 3 p.m. for “The Chilin Quartet.” This live string quartet takes its name from the Chilin, a mythological creature in Chinese culture that brings prosperity to all. Featuring Hershey Middle School students on violins, cello, and viola.
Included in admission; free for members.

Winter Bird Watch: Rescheduled for February 22
2025-02-15 10:00 - 12:00
Saturday, January 18, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Habitat & Feeding
Saturday, February 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Citizen Science & Identification with Quittapahilla Audubon Society
Bring the whole family—and your binoculars—and learn to identify the various birds that call Hershey Gardens home during the winter. We’ll take you on a unique guided bird walk that will include information about how to support wildlife and build bird habitats.
For the youngest birders, additional activities will be offered in the classroom. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Special thanks to Lebanon Seaboard Corporation for their generous donation of birdseed to Hershey Gardens.
Included in admission; free for members. Registration is required by calling 717.508.5968.

Chilin String Quartet Performance
2025-02-15 14:00 - 15:00
This live string quartet takes its name from the Chilin, a mythological creature in Chinese culture that brings prosperity to all. Featuring Hershey Middle School students on violins, cello, and viola.

Manada Conservancy presents "Forest Bird Habitat in the Kittatinny Ridge"
2025-02-20 19:00 - 20:00
Manada Conservancy presents “Forest Bird Habitat in the Kittatinny Ridge” with Jennifer Sliko
Jennifer Sliko, Landscape Conservation Program Specialist at Audubon Society, will talk about some recently restored forest bird habitats along the Kittatinny Ridge. We’ll explore why we chose each specific location and the different target species for each program. We will also look at why these bird species are important for the larger Kittatinny Ridge ecosystem.
This program is free and open to the public.
Please register by contacting Manada Conservancy at office@manada.org or 717-566-4122.

Winter Bird Watch Walk
2025-02-22 10:00 - 12:00
Saturday, February 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Citizen Science & Identification with Quittapahilla Audubon Society
Bring the whole family—and your binoculars—and learn to identify the various birds that call Hershey Gardens home during the winter. We’ll take you on a unique guided bird walk that will include information about how to support wildlife and build bird habitats.
For the youngest birders, additional activities will be offered in the classroom. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Special thanks to Lebanon Seaboard Corporation for their generous donation of birdseed to Hershey Gardens.
Included in admission; free for members. Registration is required by calling 717.508.5968.

Exhibit: “The Future is Botanical” by the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators
2025-03-18 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-19 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-20 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-21 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-23 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-24 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-25 09:00 - 17:00 and 2 more dates
“The Future is Botanical” by The Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators is an exhibition of 12 stunning botanical paintings which depict plants that provide benefits to Earth’s environments, wildlife and human population. The title is a reprise of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society Flower Show theme, and artwork is from the 2025 show.
Included in admission, free for members.
