N° 120 — October 19, 2022

Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.

Holiday Events

Christmas Tree Sale

Saturday, December 3 | 10 AM - 4 PM


Buy Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands at our Christmas Tree Sale. This event will only sell holiday greenery and will happen a week before our Winter Festival on December 10th.


Trees will be available for pre-order (link coming soon) and can be delivered or picked up at the Dec. 3rd tree sale or Dec. 10th Winter Festival. Or you can wait to buy them in-person at either event. Register for the event to let us know you're coming and to receive an update when pre-orders become available.


Details & Registration >

Winter Festival

Saturday, December 10 | 10 AM - 4 PM


Shop from local vendors, buy Christmas trees and holiday greenery, and enjoy free holiday-themed family activities. Have a hassle-free holidays and get all your shopping done in one place!


Holiday market vendor applications are open through November 6th. Family activities will be offered in partnership with DC Child Care Connections (activity registration link coming soon). Register for the event to let us know you're coming and to receive key event updates.


Details & Registration >

Support FONA: Planned Giving

It’s National Estate Planning Awareness Week! Did you know making a gift in your will is a powerful way to support FONA and make your legacy part of the future of the U.S. National Arboretum?


Supporting FONA through planned giving will help secure our work for years to come.


Email us and let us know if you've already listed us in your will. We'd love to thank you and recognize you in our Heritage Society.


Learn More About Joining our Heritage Society >

Celebrate the end of the growing season and join us in Washington Youth Garden for our annual Garlic Planting Party on Saturday, October 29th from 11 AM to 2 PM. We'll celebrate our WYG community with garlic planting, food tastings, vegetable harvesting, face painting, fall art activities, and more.


Wearing Halloween costumes is highly encouraged! This event is free and open to participants of all ages. Please register to let us know you're coming.


Details & Registration >

Outdoor Corner

Leaves are changing at the National Arboretum — come see for yourself! Many gardens and collections offer beautiful fall foliage interest, such as the Dogwood Collection, Gotelli Conifer Collection, and National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.


There will be a special Autumn Bonsai Exhibit in the museum's gallery from October 29th through November 13th.

Marianne Willburn is a garden writer who will lead an event at the Arboretum.

Arboretum Events

Join the National Arboretum on Saturday, October 29th from 10 AM to 11 AM for an in-person program with Marianne Willburn about how to store tropical plants in temperate climates.


Drawing from her book Tropical Plants and How to Love Them, garden writer Marianne will help you discern what you can easily store, what may take more effort, and where to draw the line, providing tips and techniques for successful storage in cold climates. Registration is $12 (FONA members, email us for the discount code).


Learn More and Register >

Volunteer Days

Join us for a volunteer day at the Arboretum (October-December) and help keep the restored Springhouse Run stream healthy. The work that volunteers do pulling invasive vines and weeds is crucial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem for newly-planted native species. Registration is required but no experience is needed.


See Full List of Dates >

Upcoming Events

Garlic Planting Party

October 29, 11 AM - 2 PM

Fall planting and crafts in WYG

Details & Tickets >


Fall 5K

November 12, 9 AM

Run or walk through stunning fall foliage

FONA Members, use your discount code

Register for the Race >


Christmas Tree Sale

December 3, 10 AM - 4 PM

Shop holiday greenery

Details & Tree Info >


Winter Festival

December 10, 10 AM - 4 PM

Local vendors, holiday greenery, and free family activities

Details & Tickets >


Forest Bathing

Various dates and times

Meditation and mindfulness

Purchase Your Ticket >

The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th. Some buildings and collections remain closed to ensure visitor and staff safety.
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Friends of the National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.544.8733
FONA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization with the mission to preserve and enhance a vibrant public space and support experiential programming that instills a love of plants, nature and the outdoors in all who visit, while promoting the overarching research and education mission of the U.S. National Arboretum.

Since its inception, FONA has helped support the Washington Youth Garden, Capitol Columns, Flowering Tree Walk, horticultural and research internships, restoration of Springhouse Run, and much more.

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