Upcoming Events - The Arboretum at Penn State

September 2026

Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore nature through art during this program for all levels of experience!

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Yoga in the Gardens

When: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Where: Overlook Pavilion

Cost: $12–$15 per session

Join us for a serene yoga experience surrounded by the beauty of the botanic gardens.

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October 2026

Spooky Plants Walk

When: Thursday, October 1, 2026, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Where: Overlook Pavilion

Spooky plants for the spooky season!

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Nittany Lights

When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Where: H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens

Experience night lighting like never before!

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Star Party

When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Where: Event Lawn

Join us for an evening of stargazing!

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Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

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Deadline for Group Pumpkin Orders (Pumpkin Fest 2026)

When: Wednesday, October 7, 2026

For the Pumpkin Fest jack-o’-lantern contest, groups such as classrooms, student organizations, or community organizations can request 10–30 pumpkins. Must order online by October 8 (while supplies last).

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Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

When: Friday, October 9, 2026, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Where: Arboretum Natural Areas

Cost: $0.00

Join a guided hike for kids and their grown-ups!

Learn More Register Now

Discovery Drop-In

When: Friday, October 9, 2026, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Where: Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden

Drop in and discover!

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Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure

When: Friday, October 9, 2026, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Where: Glass House, Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden

What can nature teach us that AI cannot?

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Pumpkin Giveaway for the Jack-o’-Lantern Contest (Pumpkin Fest 2026)

When: Sunday, October 11, 2026, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Where: H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens

Pick up your free pumpkin to participate in the Pumpkin Fest jack-o’-lantern contest.

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Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

Learn More

Pumpkin Fest 2026

When: Friday, October 16, 2026 - Saturday, October 17, 2026

Where: H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens

Our signature fall festival is a family-friendly event featuring a pumpkin carving contest, lighted jack-o’-lantern displays, music, food truck vendors, and activities for the whole family.

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Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

Learn More

Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

Learn More

Spooky Plants Walk

When: Thursday, October 29, 2026, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Where: Overlook Pavilion

Cost: $0.00

Spooky plants for the spooky season!

Learn More Register Now

November 2026

Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

Learn More

Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

Learn More

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

When: Friday, November 13, 2026, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Where: Arboretum Natural Areas

Cost: $0.00

Join a guided hike for kids and their grown-ups!

Learn More Register Now

Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

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Mapping Our World Date Night

When: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Cost: $45.00/couple

Get a little closer to your date through a creative, tactile map project that stimulates co-expressions of personal spatial data.

Learn More Register Now

Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

Learn More

December 2026

Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

Learn More

Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

Learn More

Nature Sketching

When: Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

Explore a variety of art materials and techniques as we connect art and nature.

Learn More

January 2027

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

When: Friday, January 15, 2027, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Where: Arboretum Natural Areas

Cost: $0.00

Join a guided hike for kids and their grown-ups!

Learn More Register Now

February 2027

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

When: Friday, February 12, 2027, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Where: Arboretum Natural Areas

Cost: $0.00

Join a guided hike for kids and their grown-ups!

Learn More Register Now

March 2027

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

When: Friday, March 26, 2027, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Where: Arboretum Natural Areas

Cost: $0.00

Join a guided hike for kids and their grown-ups!

Learn More Register Now

Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure

When: Friday, March 26, 2027, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)

What can nature teach us that AI cannot?

Learn More

April 2027

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

When: Friday, April 2, 2027, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Where: Arboretum Natural Areas

Cost: $0.00

Join a guided hike for kids and their grown-ups!

Learn More Register Now

Discovery Drop-In

When: Friday, April 2, 2027, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Where: Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden

Drop in and discover!

Learn More

Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure

When: Friday, April 2, 2027, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Where: Glass House, Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden

What can nature teach us that AI cannot?

Learn More

May 2027

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

When: Friday, May 28, 2027, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Where: Arboretum Natural Areas

Cost: $0.00

Join a guided hike for kids and their grown-ups!

Learn More Register Now

Discovery Drop-In

When: Friday, May 28, 2027, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Where: Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden

Drop in and discover!

Learn More

Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure

When: Friday, May 28, 2027, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Where: Glass House, Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden

What can nature teach us that AI cannot?

Learn More