EVENTS & PROGRAMS
FEATURED EVENTS
Photo by A2Z Photography
Flowering 5K
Sunday, March 22nd: 8:30 AM
Run or walk through the National Arboretum while admiring the beauty of cherry blossoms, magnolias, and other spring blooms. This is an ideal race for families as all roads are closed to cars and kids, dogs, and strollers are all welcome! A 20% discount is available to all veterans, active duty, and reserve military members. FONA members also receive a 20% discount as part of member benefits.
Native Plant Sale
Saturday, March 28th: 8 AM – 1 PM
Get a head start on your spring garden at one of the earliest plant sales in the area! Our annual native plant sale includes a small number of vendors (~5-7 vendors) from across the mid-Atlantic selling spring ephemerals and many other choice perennials and woody plants. The native plant sale is hosted by FONA in conjunction with the Lahr Symposium.
39th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium
Saturday, March 28th: 9 AM – 4 PM
Learn from five expert speakers about regenerative gardening, agroforestry, traditional ecological knowledge, and more during this day-long symposium hosted by the U.S. National Arboretum. The Lahr Native Plant Symposium is perfect for the home gardener.
WASHINGTON YOUTH GARDEN
Washington Youth Garden (WYG) is a one-acre education garden at the National Arboretum and is a destination for garden-based education and nature play. It was originally established in 1971 to teach local elementary students horticulture and life skills.
Today, Washington Youth Garden is a welcoming and inviting place for the D.C. community to learn and grow together. WYG’s sensory garden, innovative growing techniques, and nature-explore classroom encourage visitors of all ages to engage with agriculture, farming, and environmental education. Thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables are grown in WYG each year, all of which are distributed to students and families in the D.C. community to fight food insecurity.
Visit the Garden
The garden is open to all Arboretum visitors and has parking nearby. Please follow our three garden agreements during your visit:
- Stay on the path
- Pick with permission
- Respect all living things
Garden Events
We host many events open to the public throughout the year, including family workshops and our fall Garlic Planting Party & Bulb Sale. See our calendar for upcoming events in Washington Youth Garden.
Photo by Jason Dixson and NEEF
Get Involved
Individual, group, and youth volunteers provide crucial help with gardening tasks such as weeding, planting, mulching, and pest control from April through mid-November. You don’t need prior experience, but you must be willing to make friends with the soil and the bugs! See our garden page to learn more.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
With a focus on serving under-resourced communities, FONA nurtures curious minds and healthy bodies by connecting youth to food, the land, and each other. Our youth education programs take place at Washington Youth Garden on the grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum and in partner schools across Washington, D.C.
School Garden Support Program
The School Garden Support Program works with educators across D.C. to build strong, sustainable school garden programs. Our program empowers teachers to connect students to garden-based education through field trips in Washington Youth Garden, in person and virtual classroom support, and professional development opportunities for D.C. educators.
We offer Science Program Reaching OUT (SPROUT) field trips in the Washington Youth Garden as part of this program. These trips are 90 minutes long and explore the garden and Nature Explore Classroom.
This program also offers professional development opportunities that inspire and connect teachers and school staff to more fully integrate their school garden into daily educational activities.
Green Ambassador Program
The Green Ambassador Program provides summer employment and development opportunities for D.C. high school students in the Washington Youth Garden.
Participants begin in the Farm Crew, a six-week paid summer internship where they learn hands-on skills such as gardening, cooking, and carpentry. After participating in Farm Crew, Green Ambassadors are often invited to return to the Washington Youth Garden as Crew Leaders, FONA staff, and alumni.
VISITOR EVENTS & PROGRAMS
We host visitor events and programs throughout the year that encourage a connection to nature, science, health, and wellness. Check out our calendar below to see what’s available.
Meditation & Mindfulness
Slow down and connect with nature and yourself at the National Arboretum through forest bathing walks and sound bathing experiences. See the calendar below for upcoming events.
Photo by A2Z Photography
Recreation & Fitness
Stay active at the Arboretum by participating in FONA’s 5K race series or outdoor yoga classes. The Flowering 5K is held each spring and take racers past collections bursting with spring blossoms. The Fall 5K is held each autumn and winds through collections brightly colored with fall foliage. Email us to learn about 5K sponsorship opportunities.
Photo by Daniel Horowitz
Full Moon Events
Spend an evening exploring the Arboretum’s moonlit gardens, meadows, and woods on a Full Moon Hike. Or slow down and connect with nature during a guided Full Moon Forest Bathing session. FONA periodically hosts these events throughout the year. Donate to become a FONA member to get early registration access to these events. See the calendar below for upcoming events.
Garden Fair & Plant Sale
The spring Garden Fair & Plant Sale takes place every year on the last weekend of April. Shop from thousands of plants as well as dozens of local gardening, lifestyle, and food vendors. You can also get advice from our expert gardeners and enjoy free family activities.
Bulb Sale & Garlic Planting Party
The annual Bulb Sale & Garlic Planting Party takes place every year in the Washington Youth Garden on the last Saturday in October. There are edible and decorative bulbs for sale, free family-friendly art activities, garlic planting, food tastings, garden tours, vegetable harvesting, and more.
Winter Festival & Christmas Tree Sale
Join us for the annual Winter Festival & Christmas Tree Sale in early December. There is a gift vendor village with dozens of local artisans, as well as free family activities. Visitors can also buy Christmas trees and other holiday greenery at the Arboretum, or pre-order a tree and have it delivered to their house.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
The Spring Soirée will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026 in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Connect with friends and neighbors while supporting the science, beauty, and community impact of the National Arboretum. This open-air event is hosted by FONA’s Board of Directors and will feature a cocktail buffet and delicious drinks in the Museum.
Dinner Under the Stars will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 against the backdrop of the Capitol Columns. Join leaders across agriculture, conservation, and policy sectors for an unforgettable evening of connection and impact at the U.S. National Arboretum. This open-air event features cocktails, a tented dinner, and opportunities to engage with key figures from industry, Capitol Hill, and the Administration.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
In our Digging In virtual event series, we host experts to discuss exciting topics pertaining to the National Arboretum’s mission.
Enduring Legacy of CCC Co. 1360
‘Ironing’ Out Phosphorus — Helping Nursery Plants Hold Their P
Delayed Value of Plant Introductions
Bald Eagles and the Anacostia Watershed
Connecting through Cocoa & Coffee
Understanding Organic Lawn Care
CALENDAR
Events with green tiles are hosted by Friends of the National Arboretum. Events with black tiles are hosted by the U.S. National Arboretum. Events with purple tiles are hosted by other stakeholder partners.
March
April
May
September
Use the filter function (above) marked with this icon to narrow down the list of events.