The Arboretum at Penn State

08/09/2026

Blink and it’ll be Pumpkin Fest! 🎃

Save the date: Pumpkin Fest 2026 is Friday, October 16–Saturday, October 17 🗓️

🍂 Join us at The Arboretum for this annual family-friendly event filled with autumn magic, dazzling jack-o’-lantern displays, contests, and live music.

🌰 Savor seasonal bites from local food truck favorites and explore a variety of crafts and activities designed for all ages.

🍺 Be among the first 300 to register for the 21+ Pumpkin Patch and receive this year’s commemorative cup. Registration coming soon.

🎃 Want to try your luck in the jack-o’-lantern contest? We’ll give you the pumpkin:

🗓️ October 7: Deadline to Submit Group Pumpkin Orders (10–30 pumpkins)
🗓️ October 11: Pick Up Your Free Pumpkin
🗓️ October 15–16: Return Your Carved Jack-o’-Lantern

More information and full schedule coming soon. Learn more at the link: https://arboretum.psu.edu/programs/annual-festivals/pumpkin-fest/

01/09/2026

Dance on down to our Silent Disco with Manny's Live Performance Space in the Childhood's Gate Children's Garden this Friday, September 4! 💃

🎧 Enjoy a live performance in the garden from Corey Elbin, AKA DJ Elbow Knee Knee, through a pair of glowing, wireless headphones.

🥨 Dance till you drop? Food vendors will be on-site during this event.

All you need to do is bring yourself, some friends, and your best dance moves!

🗓️ Friday, September 4 | 7 to 10 p.m.
📍 Childhood's Gate Children's Garden
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Remember: Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

🕺 This event is free, drop-in, and open to all ages. Dance the night away with us!

31/08/2026

Hard to believe we’re stepping into September this week! Where does the time grow? 🪴

🕺 Dance the night away this Friday, September 4 from 7–10 p.m. at our Silent Disco: a free, drop-in, collaborative dance party with Manny's Live Performance Space.

🎼 On Thursday, September 10, meet us at the Palmer Museum of Art and The Arboretum at Penn State for a night to remember! The music continues with Music in the Gardens, a curator talk in the museum at 5 p.m., and a Color and Connection Date Night from 5:30–7 p.m.

🌷🔗 There’s always something growing on at The Arboretum at Penn State. Visit our Upcoming Events page to learn more: https://arboretum.psu.edu/events/

See you in the gardens!

27/08/2026

Check out this blog all about our Curator of Living Collections, Mandy! 🌿⭐

Mandy DiBella’s work at The Arboretum at Penn State goes far beyond the plants visitors see. As curator of living collections, she connects plants, people, and information, helping transform the Arboretum into a living resource for education, research, conservation, and community engagement.

26/08/2026

Audience voting for is open! 💪🪷👀

See how The Arboretum weighed in—Follow on Instagram where you can vote us for the Fan Favorite entry! 🥟😁

Voting closes on on Instagram at 9:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, August 27: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcgRTv2Guxo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

🪷🔗 Learn more about the Weigh-Off and our Santa Cruz waterlily (Victoria cruziana) in our most recent blog post: https://arboretum.psu.edu/about/news/small-but-mighty-victoria-cruziana-enters-the-2026-waterlily-weigh-off/

24/08/2026

Join us for the last week of summer Discovery Drop-In programs!

🗓️ Weekdays, August 25–August 28 | 10 a.m. to Noon
📍 Childhood's Gate Children's Garden
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Remember: All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Discover central Pennsylvania's history, geology, plants, and animals through hands-on learning, craft activities, and nature play experiences designed for children of all ages.

All events, programs, and activities are dependent on weather and may be relocated or curtailed in the event of inclement weather.

22/08/2026

Welcome to The Arboretum at Penn State’s first official entry into organized by Denver Botanic Gardens 💪🪷

🧑‍🍳 Our Victoria cruziana arrived at our nursery not long ago on July 2. Since then, our horticulture-chefs have been cooking up a strong competitor here in the center of Pennsylvania…and what better way to test its strength than with Mrs. T's Pierogies?

🪷 Weighing in from Central PA:

Final weight: 18 pounds and 6 ounces / 18.4 lbs / 8.4 kg
Diameter: 24 inches

Thanks to the team at Denver Botanic Gardens for bringing together gardens around the world.

No pierogies were wasted in the making of this entry. (We arbor-ate-’em 😋).

This is the fourth annual event organized by Denver Botanic Gardens.

21/08/2026

We're dancing into a new school year with Manny's Live Performance Space! 🎶

Join us at The Arboretum at Penn State for a Silent Disco, featuring a live performance from Corey Elbin, AKA DJ Elbow Knee Knee.

🗓️ Friday, September 4 | 7 to 10 p.m.
📍 Childhood's Gate Children's Garden
🥨 Snacks & beverages available for purchase.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Remember: Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

🎧 This event is free, drop-in, and open to all ages. Grab a pair of glowing wireless headphones and dance the night away with us!

19/08/2026

We are currently seeking volunteers for our Natural Lands Days. Groups are welcome!

🌳 Our Natural Lands Volunteers will assist Arboretum staff in management of the Hartley Wood and Prairie Restoration site through manual removal of invasive species (cutting back branches and digging roots), and trail maintenance (wood chipping trail areas for ease of access). Sessions take place on select Saturdays in spring and autumn.

🌱🔗 Find more information about volunteering and apply at the link: https://arboretum.psu.edu/involvement/volunteer/