Hershey Gardens

Hershey Area Art Association Show & Sale
2026-09-05 09:00 - 18:00, 2026-09-06 09:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Enjoy fabulous works of art at the “Blooming Art” display in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory.
Included in admission, free for members.

Music in the Gardens
2026-09-09 17:00 - 19:00
Wednesday, September 9 from 5 – 7 p.m. The Best of Broadway
Join us for three evenings of beautiful music in the Gardens! Guests are invited to bring their own beverages and snacks, as well as chairs or a blanket.
The Butterfly Atrium will be closed. Regular admission rates apply; free for members.
May be cancelled or postponed in case of inclement weather.
Sponsors: Robert Ackerman | Robert & Linda Pugliese | Dr. Thomas Davis

Forest Bathing with ANFT Forest Therapy Guide Lauren Berg
2026-09-12 09:15 - 11:15, 2026-11-07 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.

Guided Garden Walk
2026-09-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-09-26 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-10 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-31 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-11-07 10:00 - 11:00 and 1 more date
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.

Bug-O-Rama
2026-09-20 10:00 - 15:00
It’s the 10th anniversary of Bug-O-Rama! Participate in a variety of fun bug activities with Penn State Entomology, Ryan the Bug Man, ZooAmerica, Lancaster County BeeKeepers and PA Bat Rescue, among others. Plus, enjoy Sarah’s Creamery for an additional purchase.
Check back later for the full schedule of events.
Free with admission, free for members.

Fall Homeschool Day: Avian Migration
2026-09-29 09:30 - 12:30
Tuesday, September 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For grades K-12
Learn about bird species that stay year-round at the Gardens, our temporary spring and summer residents, such as the eastern wood pewee, chimney swifts, barn swallows, tree swallows and purple martins, which pass through for overnight stays. Learn about migrating birds of prey with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Additionally, we’ll highlight our new partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the results of our first season of artificial nesting and cavity structures in the meadow.
$11 per student, $13 per adult; includes admission to Hershey Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium.
Special Guests:
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Stefan Karkuff, Avian Recovery Biologist, Pennsylvania Game Commission
Registration required here; closes on September 27

Hershey Gardens Member Reception
2026-09-30 16:30 - 18:00
Members, look for your invitation in the mail!
Due to limited capacity, the Member Reception is reserved only for those covered under the membership. We appreciate your understanding.
Please RSVP here:

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Bonsai Demonstration by Susquehanna Bonsai Club
2026-10-03 10:00 - 14:00
Join members of the Susquehanna Bonsai Club for multiple demonstrations on how to take care of bonsai specimens. Demonstrations to take place in Hoop House, inside The Children’s Garden.
In case of inclement weather, demonstration will be moved to the Conservatory.
Included with admission, free for members.

PA Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights Day
2026-10-09 10:00 - 13:00
Learn about the PA Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, which promotes healthy development and environmental equity. Enjoy activities in The Children’s Garden and take part in a planting activity.
Plus, kids come for free! Get one free junior admission for each paying adult ticket on October 9 only.
Included with admission, free for members.

Pumpkin Palooza
2026-10-17 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-18 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-24 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-25 09:00 - 17:00
October 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pumpkin Palooza returns for all things pumpkin! 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! Guests can also enjoy food trucks and hundreds of mums on display, including a colorful 9-foot mum tree.
Check back soon for the full schedule of events.
Sponsors

Eco-Fiction Book Group
2026-10-23 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, 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)
Friday, January 22, 2027: The Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting and Tree Story: The History of the World Written in Rings by Valerie Trouet
Save These Dates! Check back for book selections.
Friday, April 23 | Friday, July 23 | Friday, October 22
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

Manada Conservancy Presentation: Rebuilding Ecosystems with Regenerative Agriculture
2026-11-12 19:00 - 20:00
Manada Conservancy Presentation:
Rebuilding Ecosystems with Regenerative Agriculture – How Farms Are Moving Beyond Sustainability
Lisa Blazure, Stroud Water Research Center will share how some farms are going beyond sustainable farming techniques and instead regenerating their soils by managing land according to natural principles. These farms recognize that they are part of a larger natural system and rely on biological processes to provide crop nutrients, pest control, and water cycling. Crops grown on healthier soils can have higher nutrient density, and regenerative agriculture has the potential to enhance human health as well as the environment. Participants will leave with practical insights and real-world examples they can adapt to their own operations—from large-scale farms to small homesteads and even backyard gardens—demonstrating how regenerative principles can be applied at any scale to rebuild soil health and resilience.
Presentation in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory.
Free to attend, please register here.

The Christmas Tree Showcase
2026-11-20 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-11-21 09:00 - 17:00
Friday, November 20 through Sunday, January 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Exceptions: Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; Open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve
Our signature holiday event features colorful tree displays with twinkling lights; each unique tree is created by a talented local designer. Guests will enjoy a pair of 14-foot and 8-foot poinsettia and tropical trees! 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 in admission; free for members.

Thomas Davis

Student Christmas Tree Showcase
2026-11-20 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-11-21 09:00 - 17:00
Friday, November 20 through Sunday, January 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Enjoy dozens of creative ornaments made by local school students on display on live Fraser fir trees in the Garden Cottage.
Included with admission; free for members.

Calling All Kids! Crafty Christmas Creations
2026-11-21 09:30 - 13:00
November 21 & 28; December 5, 12, 19 & 26, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Perfect for kids of all ages. Join in the fun of creating your own holiday craft, inspired by nature. Located in the Education Center in The Children’s Garden.
Included with admission; free for members.
