Art Exhibit: Botanicals- Above, Below and Beyond
2026-04-09 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-10 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-11 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-12 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-13 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-14 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-15 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-16 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) and 8 more dates
The exhibit, courtesy of the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators, features 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 PHS Flower Show theme; the exhibit features artwork from the 2026 Flower Show.
Exhibit is located in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory.
Free with admission; free for members.

Guided Garden Walk
2026-04-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-18 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-25 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-02 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.

Spring Homeschool Day: Aquatic Ecosystems
2026-04-14 09:30 - 12:30
Tuesday, April 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For grades K – 12
Join us for an outdoor guided habitat search for aquatic life as we identify elements of successful habitats for PA native species of plants and animals. Learn about aquatic invertebrate organisms’ life cycles and environmental impacts on them. In the Conservatory and Butterfly Atrium, meet our non-native frog species to learn about their adaptations and unique habitat needs, like our Vietnamese mossy frog and bumblebee poison dart frogs.
$11 per student, $13 per adult; includes admission to Hershey Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium.
Registration required here; closes on April 12.

Forest Bathing with ANFT Forest Therapy Guide Lauren Berg
2026-04-18 09:15 - 11:15
Saturdays: April 18, May 16, June 13, September 12 (new date) & November 7
All sessions are 9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
$30 for members; $35 non-members (per session)
Registration is required here.
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.
Lauren Berg has experience leading diverse groups of people through a variety of outdoor educational experiences—multi-day backpacking trips, day-long high and low ropes courses, team building events, and even birding and terrestrial ecology classes, to name a few. She is a certified guide with the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy, as well as First Aid and CPR/AED trained.
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.

Eco-Fiction Book Group
2026-04-24 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

Earth Day Celebration
2026-04-25 10:00 - 14:00
Take part in family activities related to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
For an additional purchase, enjoy ice cream treats from Sarah’s Creamery beginning at 11 a.m.
Free with admission, free for members.

Sarah's Creamery Ice Cream Truck
2026-04-25 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-26 11:00 - 14:00
You Scream, We Scream…
Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, May 23 and Sunday May 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Enjoy Sarah’s Creamery festive ice cream truck, featuring flavors from the Berkey Creamery at Penn State University’s Main Campus for an additional fee.
Requires admission to Hershey Gardens; free for members.

World Labyrinth Day
2026-05-01 10:00 - 14:00
World Labyrinth Day is traditionally celebrated the first Saturday of May. Drop in to walk our labyrinth and participate in a fun family craft in the Rock Garden.
Included in admission, free for members.

National Public Gardens Day
2026-05-08 09:00 - 17:00
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day with us!
Simply show this voucher and enjoy half-off admission on Friday, May 8, 2026 only.
Click here for the voucher.

Mother’s Day Weekend: Free Admission for Moms!
2026-05-09 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-10 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bring mom to enjoy Hershey Gardens — it’s on us!
On Sunday, see a variety of rhododendrons and azaleas from the Mason Dixon Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. Display located in the Education Center in The Children’s Garden.
For an additional fee, guests can enjoy Sarah’s Creamery on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Noel’s Café on Sunday only from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
