Student Christmas Tree Showcase
2025-12-31 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-01 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
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
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

Winter Wednesdays Family Series: Winter Animal Adaptations
2026-01-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-28 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.

Live Feedings at the Zoology Zone Interactive Cart
2026-01-16 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-01-23 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-01-30 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-02-06 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-02-13 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-02-20 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-02-27 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 Bird Watch
2026-01-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-14 10:00 - 12:00
(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.

Winter Wednesdays: Lunar New Year
2026-02-04 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-25 10:00 - 12:00
February 4, 11, 18 & 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Bring the family and interact with Asian species like our mossy frog, jungle nymphs, walking sticks, and more at the Zoology Zone Interactive Cart. Engage in family activities that celebrate traditions like paper cutting and calligraphy, make lucky red envelopes with seeds to gift to friends and family, plant Asian leafy greens, and create lanterns. Located in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory and the Education Center.
February 4: Plant Asian greens
February 11: Discover calligraphy and paper cutting (Calligraphy demonstation from the Little Star Chinese School)
February 18: Create a red seed envelope
February 25: Make a paper lantern
Included in admission, free for members.

Dried Floral Arrangement Class
2026-02-07 10:00 - 12:00
Join us to create your own dried floral arrangement to bring beauty to your home in the winter months. We’ll use an assortment of dried specimens such as seed pods, florals, grasses and greens to learn about color, form and texture when creating an arrangement. Class held in the Education Center in The Children’s Garden.
Led by Kaitlin Dannenberg, education and public programs associate
Members: $65; Non-members: $75

Registration required here.

Art Show & Display "For the Love of Art" by the Hershey Area Art Association
2026-02-13 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-14 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-15 09:00 - 16:00
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.
Included in admission, free for members.

Guided Garden Walk
2026-02-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-28 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-07 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.

Lunar New Year Celebration
2026-02-22 10:00 - 13:00
Join us for guided garden tours that highlight indoor and outdoor Asian collections and bring the whole family for fun activities to celebrate the Year of the Horse!
Activities include:
Guided garden tours at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Create lucky seed envelopes, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Music by the Chilin’ Quartet, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tropical bonsai exhibit by the Susquehanna Bonsai Club, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Included in admission, free for members.

Early Spring Nature Walk
2026-03-08 14:00 - 15:00
Enjoy a guided tour featuring the Gardens history and landscape as it transitions from winter into spring with emerging flowers.
No registration is required. Walks will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Check this listing for cancellations.
Included with admission, free for members.
