Summer is officially here! We are hosting many exciting events and programs this summer to connect people to nature at the National Arboretum.

Music in the Meadow: Wylder

Saturday, June 8 | 7 PM - 8:30 PM

Enjoy a beautiful summer evening in the Ellipse Meadow listening to modern folk music by Wylder. Bring your own picnic, or purchase food and drinks from PhoWheels. Bring the whole crew — this concert is dog and kid friendly!

Tickets are required for this event, but please pay what you can to attend. Our suggested ticket price is $25 (or $20 for FONA members). Children 12 and under are free, but tickets are required. Only the Ellipse Meadow and the National Herb Garden will be open to attendees for this event.

Purchase a Concert Ticket >

Grow the Garden Party

Saturday, June 8 | 11 AM - 1 PM

Join us for a picnic party to celebrate the expansion of our Washington Youth Garden! We want to thank our Grow the Garden campaign supporters, and share the garden’s new perimeter fence. What you can expect: garden tours; hands-on garden and art activities, including natural dye and floral jewelry demonstrations with local artists Arrin Sutliff and An-Phuong Ly; live music from East of the River Steel Band; and tasty treats from food vendors Paste & Rind Cheese Co., Ana's Twist, and Jarabe Gourmet Pops.

This is a free, family-friendly event open to the entire community. Registration is not required, but please sign up in order to receive event updates.

Learn More & Sign Up >

4th Fridays Summer Evening Hours

June 28, July 26, August 23 | 5 PM - 8 PM

Enjoy extended evening hours at the National Arboretum this summer! The Arboretum will stay open to the public until 8 PM on the 4th Friday of every summer month: June 28th, July 26th, and August 23rd.

This is free for all to enjoy! These extended hours are made possible by Friends of the National Arboretum and the Capitol Hill Community Foundation.

Movie in the Meadow:

The Hidden Life of Trees

Saturday, July 20 | 8:45 PM - 10:30 PM

What better place to watch a movie about trees than at the National Arboretum, surrounded by a living library of trees? "The Hidden Life of Trees" is an eye-opening documentary about the process of life, death, and regeneration in woodlands. It is based on a bestselling book under the same name by renowned forester and writer Peter Wohlleben. Save the date, registration is coming soon.

Community Fishing

Saturday, August 24 | 9 AM - 12 PM

Enjoy a morning fishing along the banks of the Anacostia River at the Arboretum. No experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome. All supplies and fishing instruction are provided for this free event.

This event is co-hosted by FONA and the Anacostia Riverkeeper. Save the date — registration is required and will open soon.

Forest Bathing Walks

Various dates & times | Through December

Slow down and open your senses to nature at the National Arboretum. During this two-hour program, FONA's certified forest bathing guides will invite you to reflect on the world around you and guide you through focused meditations.

Our suggested ticket price is $35 ($28 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend.

See Upcoming Dates & Register >

We are pleased to welcome another seasonal member to FONA's team. Qubilah Huddleston joined FONA in April as a part-time Assistant Garden Coordinator. She helps maintain the Washington Youth Garden and coordinates drop-in volunteer hours on Saturdays. While originally from North Carolina, Qubilah has called both Maryland and D.C. home for the past 10 years.

Prior to joining FONA, Qubilah interned at Fox Haven Organic Farm in Jefferson, MD where she learned farming skills and studied the medicinal benefits of plants — an experience that brought her to FONA today. While a policy wonk by trade, Qubilah is passionate about the intersections of nature, wellness, and community building and is excited to connect with D.C. residents and visitors through her new role. 

Don't miss your chance to vote for the National Arboretum and FONA in this year's Best of DC contest! Your vote helps more people discover the Arboretum and all it has to offer. Don't delay — voting closes this Monday, June 10th at 5 PM.

Please vote for the following categories:

• Vote U.S. National Arboretum for Best Place to Go for a Walk >
• Vote U.S. National Arboretum for Best City Escape in the City >
• Vote Washington Youth Garden for Best Kid-Friendly Attraction >
• Vote Friends of the National Arboretum for Best Nonprofit >

We want to hear from you! As FONA Field Notes enters its fourth year of publication, we want to continue to improve for many years to come. Please fill out this quick, anonymous survey (3 to 5 minutes long) to provide feedback on FONA Field Notes and to let us know how we’re doing.

Complete the Survey >