When: 10am – 4pm
Hop on and off FONA’s shuttle to explore collections with ease — no driving and re-parking necessary! Docents will share information about the Arboretum at many of the stops. Tickets cost $5 and will be purchased on site. FONA members ride for free on April 18!
Dos Carnales and Frosty Softy food trucks will also sell food near the Visitor Center during Hop On Shuttle Saturdays.
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Where: Asian Collections
When: 9 – 11 am
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature at the National Arboretum during this guided mindfulness experience. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses for health benefits. Anyone can enjoy forest bathing walks, whether you are new to mindfulness or a regular practitioner.
This program is hosted by Friends of the National
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Where: Administration Building/Visitor Center
When: 9am – 4pm
Celebrate spring at the National Arboretum during FONA’s annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale! This is FONA’s largest seasonal festival and is an important fundraiser. Shop from thousands of plants, browse from dozens of local vendors, enjoy free family activities, and get advice from expert gardeners. Check FONA’s website for the most up-to-date event information.
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Where: Arboretum Visitor Center/Administration Building
When: 9am – 11am
Spot birds alongside spring blossoms! Learn about bird behavior and identification tips from experienced guides from the DC Bird Alliance.
This program is hosted by Friends of the National Arboretum. It is free to attend, but registration is required.
Learn more and register at Eventbrite.
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When: 10am – 4pm
Hop on and off FONA’s shuttle to explore collections with ease — no driving and re-parking necessary! Docents will share information about the Arboretum at many of the stops. Tickets cost $5 and will be purchased on site.
Dos Carnales and Frosty Softy food trucks will also sell food near the Visitor Center during Hop On Shuttle Saturdays.
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Where: National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and Arboretum Visitor Center
When: 10am – 4pm daily
Together with the Potomac Bonsai Association (PBA) and the Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA), the U.S. National Arboretum will celebrate World Bonsai Day on Saturday, May 9! A weekend-long PBA festival will showcase the awe-inspiring art of bonsai, including masterpiece displays from the Museum’s permanent collection, styling
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Where:
When: 9am – 11am
This program is hosted by Friends of the National Arboretum. It is free to attend, but registration is required.
Learn more and register at Eventbrite.
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Where: Asian Collections
When: 9pm – 11am
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature at the National Arboretum during this guided mindfulness experience. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses for health benefits. Anyone can enjoy forest bathing walks, whether you are new to mindfulness or a regular practitioner.
This program is hosted by Friends of the National
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Where:
When: 9am – 11am
This program is hosted by Friends of the National Arboretum. It is free to attend, but registration is required.
Learn more and register at Eventbrite.
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Where: Exhibits Gallery, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
When: 10am – 4pm daily
Colorful cultivars of late-blooming Satsuki azaleas have been hybridized in Japan for hundreds of years. This annual exhibit showcases our most spectacular examples in a two-week indoor display. Based on individual bloom times, trees may be on display in the outdoor pavilions before and after the indoor exhibit.
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Where: National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
When: 6pm – 9pm
Join FONA’s Board of Directors for the Spring Soirée on Friday, May 29, 2026 from 6 PM to 9 PM. Enjoy a light buffet and delicious drinks while surrounded by miniature masterpieces of horticultural art in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
This is more than a party — it’s a chance to be part of something meaningful. Your attendance helps fund Friends of the
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Where: Ellipse Meadow
When: 7pm – 9pm
Celebrate the end of the school year with classic R&B and go-go music from Sirius Company. Food trucks will sell food near the Visitor Center during this event.
This program is hosted by Friends of the National Arboretum. Registration is required and general admission costs $25.
Purchase a Concert Ticket at Eventbrite.
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