What's Happening at the Garden
Join us in our gardens on First Tuesday Community Day and Early Bird Saturdays. Or check out one of our Special Events below.
First Tuesday Community Day. Join us for FREE ADMISSION - Only on the First Tuesday each month.
Early Bird Saturdays. Early sunrise hours in our gardens, access for Arboretum members and volunteers only. Occurs on the 3rd Saturday of each month. (cancelled with heavy rain)
First Saturday Tours have Resumed! Free to members or with PAID Daily Admission, First Saturday Tours give you a great introduction to the Arboretum's plant collections and the wildlife that depend upon them for food and shelter.
Bird Tours (March through November Only) These fun tours focus on the avian community AND the flowering plants they are so attracted to. More details>
Hummingbird Month - Whole month of March
Come celebrate the beginning of hummingbird migration season with a visit to the Arboretum!
Gift & Wreath Sale - Annual Holiday Event held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This year the Gift & Wreath Sale will be Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Get gifts for loved ones AND support the Arboretum at the same time! Choose from our nursery’s beautiful plants, unique garden and nature-related gifts, and much more! OPEN Tues-Sun, 10am-4pm.
Join us for our Annual Raptor Day to meet & learn about these amazing creatures. Usually occurs on a Saturday in July. The next Raptor Day will be in 2024.
Ray Collett Lecture Series Inspired by Arboretum founding Director Ray Collett: "People deserve the freedom to enjoy and pursue their own fascination with the natural world." Click on link to see past lectures. Future dates TBA.
Community Science: Garden Phenology Walk. Future dates TBA.
Corpse Flower 2022: In August, 2022, the Corpse Flower was moved back to the UCSC Greenhouses and the expert care of Director Sylvie Childress. Check the UCSC Arboretum facebook or instagram pages for photos & time-lapse video of this remarkable plant.