Enjoy summer at the National Arboretum! We're collaborating with lots of local partners to host exciting activities and events this season, including:

Summer 5K

Saturday, June 3 | 8 AM

Experience the Arboretum in full summer swing while you run or walk the race course. Strollers and dogs are allowed, but dogs must stay on a five-foot non-retractable leash. There's still time to register! Registration costs $55 (20% off for FONA members), and will close on Friday, June 2nd at 11:59 PM.

Details & Registration >

Music in the Meadow: U.S. Navy Band

Sunday, June 11 | 2 PM - 3:30 PM

Join us for a summer afternoon concert with the U.S. Navy Band in the National Arboretum’s Ellipse Meadow. Enjoy a picnic while you listen to music from the Concert Band next to the Capitol Columns. Registration is not required for this free event, but please register to let us know you’re coming and so you can receive event updates.

Details & Registration >

Youth Volunteer Day

Saturday, June 17 | 9 AM - 12 PM

Looking to complete community service hours for school? Join us for our June Youth Volunteer Day. All participants younger than 18 must have a parent or guardian complete the permission slip in the sign-up form. Any volunteers under the age of 14 must attend with a parent or guardian. Fill out the youth volunteer interest form and we'll get back to you with more details.

Youth Volunteer Interest Form >

Poetry Slam in the Garden

Saturday, August 5 | 6:30 PM - 9 PM

Save the date for a youth poetry slam in Washington Youth Garden! Youth participants will contend for prizes in a single-round poetry competition. This event is open to the public to both participate in and attend. Event details are coming soon, but registration will be required to attend this free evening event.

Yoga in the Grove

June - October | Saturdays at 10 AM

Find your flow and get grounded in the Grove with yoga instructors from Bluebird Sky Yoga. All experience levels are welcome! Classes cost $26 (20% off for FONA members).

Details & Registration >

Forest Bathing

June - December | Various dates & times

Let us guide you in disconnecting from the digital world and reconnecting with nature during this mindfulness experience. Registration is required for these events. Our suggested ticket price is $35 ($28 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend.

Details & Registration >

Volunteer in Washington Youth Garden

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

Volunteers at the Washington Youth Garden provide crucial help with gardening tasks such as weeding, planting, mulching, and pest control. You don’t need prior experience, but you must be willing to make friends with the soil and the bugs! Any and all volunteers are welcome, but we greatly appreciate those who can regularly commit to volunteering throughout the growing season.

You can also help with FONA events like our seasonal festivals and 5Ks. Fill out the volunteer interest form and we'll get back to you soon with more details.

Volunteer Interest Form >

We are bringing food trucks to the Arboretum this June! Enjoy lunch or a snack during your weekend visit. A different food truck will be set up next to the Visitor Center from 10 AM to 2 PM on the following days:

• Saturday, June 3rd
• Sunday, June 11th
• Saturday, June 17th

Check out the other summer events and programs hosted by the National Arboretum and its other stakeholders:

The Well-Contained Herb

An Under the Arbor Event

Saturday, June 10 | 1 PM - 4 PM

Mid-Atlantic Units of the Herb Society of America will demonstrate how to grow herbs in containers, as well as how to store herbs like candied ginger and rose beads in containers. This event is free and open to the public. It will be held in the National Herb Garden near the Visitor Center.

Event Information >

Tussie Mussies — A Bouquet with a Message

An Under the Arbor Event

Saturday, June 24 | 1 PM - 4 PM

The Philadelphia Unit of the Herb Society of America will demonstrate how to make tussie mussies, and will share the meanings and symbolism of the herbs in them. Visitors can also take a tussie mussie home! This event is free and open to the public. It will be held in the National Herb Garden near the Visitor Center.

Event Information >

Seeking Remote Nature: Stones Located and Nature Revealed

June 24 - August 20 | 10 AM - 4 PM

This exhibit of landscape-view and nature-related stones in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum will transport you to far-flung locations around the world. The stones are from the collections of members of the Potomac Viewing Stone Group, a regional organization dedicated to stone appreciation. Come and let your imagination travel! This event is free and open to the public.