Upcoming Events

October 2026

Pumpkin Fest 2026

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.

Learn More about Pumpkin Fest 2026
Nature Sketching

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 about Nature Sketching
Nature Sketching

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 about Nature Sketching
Spooky Plants Walk

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 about Spooky Plants Walk Register Now for Spooky Plants Walk

November 2026

Nature Sketching

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 about Nature Sketching
Parting with the Poplars: Grief Workshop

Parting with the Poplars: Grief Workshop

When: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Palmer Museum Studio Classroom, Admin and Education Wing (124 Palmer Museum of Art)
Cost: $0.00

Join us as we use wooden disks from the trunks of our black poplar trees to create art that explores endings and beginnings.

Learn More about Parting with the Poplars: Grief Workshop Register Now for Parting with the Poplars: Grief Workshop
Bird Walk

Bird Walk

When: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Where: Overlook Pavilion

Drop in for a morning bird walk led by an expert birder!

Learn More about Bird Walk
Nature Sketching

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 about Nature Sketching
Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

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 about Arboretum Explorers Family Hike Register Now for Arboretum Explorers Family Hike
Nature Sketching

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.

Learn More about Nature Sketching
Mapping Our World Date Night

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 about Mapping Our World Date Night Register Now for Mapping Our World Date Night
Nature Sketching

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 about Nature Sketching

December 2026

Nature Sketching

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 about Nature Sketching
Bird Walk

Bird Walk

When: Thursday, December 3, 2026, 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Where: Overlook Pavilion

Drop in for a morning bird walk led by an expert birder!

Learn More about Bird Walk
Nature Sketching

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 about Nature Sketching
Nature Sketching

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 about Nature Sketching

January 2027

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

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 about Arboretum Explorers Family Hike Register Now for Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

February 2027

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

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 about Arboretum Explorers Family Hike Register Now for Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

March 2027

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

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 about Arboretum Explorers Family Hike Register Now for Arboretum Explorers Family Hike
Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure

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)
Cost: $0.00

What can nature teach us that AI cannot?

Learn More about Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure Register Now for Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure

April 2027

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

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 about Arboretum Explorers Family Hike Register Now for Arboretum Explorers Family Hike
Discovery Drop-In

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!

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Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure

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
Cost: $0.00

What can nature teach us that AI cannot?

Learn More about Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure Register Now for Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure

May 2027

Arboretum Explorers Family Hike

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 about Arboretum Explorers Family Hike Register Now for Arboretum Explorers Family Hike
Discovery Drop-In

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 about Discovery Drop-In
Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure

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
Cost: $0.00

What can nature teach us that AI cannot?

Learn More about Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure Register Now for Nature AI Detectives: An Outdoor AI Literacy Adventure