Meditative Morning

We’ve heard your valuable feedback, and now you don’t have to hear us! Beginning May 4, 2021, the period between 8 and 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday morning of every month will be reserved for “Meditative Mornings,” a pause for quiet time in our gardens and on our trails......More

We’ve heard your valuable feedback, and now you don’t have to hear us! Beginning May 4, 2021, the period between 8 and 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday morning of every month will be reserved for “Meditative Mornings,” a pause for quiet time in our gardens and on our trails. During this time, our working garden crew will abstain from using leaf blowers, mowers and other equipment so you can be sure to enjoy the sounds of birds and the wind in the trees. Take advantage of $10 off parking on the first Tuesday of every month and come out to the Arboretum to enjoy a Meditative Morning!

Birding for Beginners

Birding for Beginnerswith Shane Myers Tuesday, July 7  |  9 – 10:30am BRN – Core  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Join us on this birding walk around the NC Arboretum gardens and trails in search of our most colorful residents. We will go over best practices for using ......More

Birding for Beginnerswith Shane Myers Tuesday, July 7  |  9 – 10:30am BRN – Core  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Join us on this birding walk around the NC Arboretum gardens and trails in search of our most colorful residents. We will go over best practices for using binoculars, recommendations for purchasing your own binoculars, and popular field guides to use. Bring your own binoculars but if you do not have a pair we have some loaner binoculars available to use during the program. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Shane Myers’ interest in nature began as a child with a love of dinosaurs. This quickly grew to include fossils, insects, and reptiles, and learning from the notes his grandparents kept of the birds that came to their feeders in Toledo, Ohio.  He has a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Biology and did most of his undergraduate work on dragonflies and damselflies. He’s assisted in outreach and education for plant conservation groups, Odonata Groups, and various bird groups. Shane currently works for the Adult Education department at the NC Arboretum. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Designing a Healing Garden

Designing a Healing Gardenwith Nina Shippen Tuesday, July 7  |  9:30 – 11:30am BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Healing gardens, therapeutic gardens, forest bathing – terms that were once considered fringe ideas for alternative medicine are now accepted practices. This cla......More

Designing a Healing Gardenwith Nina Shippen Tuesday, July 7  |  9:30 – 11:30am BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Healing gardens, therapeutic gardens, forest bathing – terms that were once considered fringe ideas for alternative medicine are now accepted practices. This class applies the findings and theoretical frameworks used by researchers to create our own restorative gardens. What does research show about the effect of nature on human physiology? What characteristics do healing gardens have that other gardens or landscapes may not? How can we create restorative settings on our own properties? Nina Shippen practices residential landscape and garden design through her company Hidden Road Landscape Design, which focuses on coupling the principles of healing gardens with sound ecologic practices to create satisfying gardens for her clients. A graduate of the landscape design program at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies, she has lived and gardened in Transylvania County since 2005. Nina was a member of the first class in Chicago Botanic Garden’s Healthcare Garden Design Certificate Program. She has applied the principles of healing gardens to her own practice since 2003. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Guided Trail Walk

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and thr......More

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more. Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather. There is no pre-registration walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center. Walks are FREE however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free. Know Before You GoGuided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.

Arbor Evenings

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through......More

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through September 17, 2026 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.     **Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.** There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from Arbor Evenings help support The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission. 5:30 – 8:30: Jacob Donham and Allie Fox (Fantastical Folk/Soul)Theme: Backyard BBQScheduled performances are subject to changeView upcoming dates here. Support for this event series is generously provided by:

Baker Event Lawn

Hemlock Stream Health Hike with Hemlock Restoration Initiative

Hemlock Stream Health Hike with Hemlock Restoration InitiativeThursday, July 9  |  5 – 7 pm BRN – Elective Free for Arboretum Members, non-members will need to pay the $25 per car gate fee. REGISTER HERE Did you know that hemlocks are critical for our southern Appalachi......More

Hemlock Stream Health Hike with Hemlock Restoration InitiativeThursday, July 9  |  5 – 7 pm BRN – Elective Free for Arboretum Members, non-members will need to pay the $25 per car gate fee. REGISTER HERE Did you know that hemlocks are critical for our southern Appalachian stream habitats? Eastern hemlocks shade cold headwaters, stabilize stream banks, and protect the insects that trout depend on. When hemlocks decline, streams warm, habitat shrinks, and fisheries suffer. This evening hike will weave you along Bent Creek under healthy hemlocks in an HRI Hemlock Conservation Area. While we hike, your hike leaders will cover the ecological importance of hemlocks with a focus on their role in stream habitat. We will also cover what is threatening the hemlocks, what is being done about it, and more. The hike is a relatively flat 2 mile out-and-back. We will plan to arrive back at our vehicles at 7pm. In case of poor weather, this hike will be rescheduled to July 15th. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Arbor Evenings

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through......More

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through September 17, 2026 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.     **Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.** There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from Arbor Evenings help support The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission. 5:30 – 8:30: Asheville Junction (Bluegrass, Americana, and Country)Scheduled performances are subject to change.View upcoming dates here. Support for this event series is generously provided by:

Baker Event Lawn

Ferns and Friends

Ferns and Friendswith Erin Canter Friday, July 10  |  10am – 12:30pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE Learn about the ecology, evolution, and vast diversity of Ferns in Southern Appalachia. Participants will use hand lenses and nature journaling techniques to observe ferns ......More

Ferns and Friendswith Erin Canter Friday, July 10  |  10am – 12:30pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE Learn about the ecology, evolution, and vast diversity of Ferns in Southern Appalachia. Participants will use hand lenses and nature journaling techniques to observe ferns around the Arboretum and Bent Creek and work together to identify to the species level many of the ferns around them. This course will take place predominately outdoors and will use hand lenses and field guides to get up close and personal with these ancient plants. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Erin Canter is a Southern Appalachian Naturalist who specializes in southeastern ecology. She worked as the Manager of Science Literacy and Research at a nonprofit education center in the Great Smoky Mountains, working with all ages to explore their bioregion through science and hands on exploration, before moving to this side of the mountains in early 2024. She now works at American Conservation Experience here in WNC, helping young people begin their conservation careers through applied conservation projects in the region. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Naturalist Walk and Talk – Dragonflies and Damselflies

Naturalist Walk and Talk – Dragonflies and Damselflieswith Shane Myers Friday, July 10  |  1 – 3pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE Walk around the Arboretum with our staff naturalists and talk about what we see around us. We might see plants and animals, and evidence of th......More

Naturalist Walk and Talk – Dragonflies and Damselflieswith Shane Myers Friday, July 10  |  1 – 3pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE Walk around the Arboretum with our staff naturalists and talk about what we see around us. We might see plants and animals, and evidence of them going about their lives in our backyard. Topics will be based on what we see and experience and whatever questions that come up, so every class has the potential to be quite different. This month we will focus on the dragonflies and damselflies of the Arboretum. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Shane Myers’ interest in nature began as a child with a love of dinosaurs. This quickly grew to include fossils, insects, and reptiles, and learning from the notes his grandparents kept of the birds that came to their feeders in Toledo, Ohio.  He has a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Biology and did most of his undergraduate work on dragonflies and damselflies. He’s assisted in outreach and education for plant conservation groups, Odonata Groups, and various bird groups. Shane currently works for the Adult Education department at the NC Arboretum. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Guided Trail Walk

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and thr......More

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more. Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather. There is no pre-registration walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center. Walks are FREE however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free. Know Before You GoGuided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.

Summer Tree ID

Summer Tree IDWith Lauren Lampley Saturday, July 11  |  10am – 1pm BRN – Core  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Join this class as we discuss how to use different characteristics and field guides to identify common trees of Western North Carolina. By June, most trees wi......More

Summer Tree IDWith Lauren Lampley Saturday, July 11  |  10am – 1pm BRN – Core  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Join this class as we discuss how to use different characteristics and field guides to identify common trees of Western North Carolina. By June, most trees will be fully leafed-out for the year which will make Identification much easier in most cases. We will talk about using multiple clues to identify trees as well as some of the natural history of the trees we find on property. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Lauren Lampley began her career at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation as a Park Naturalist which solidified Lauren’s interests in ecology and a passion for teaching others. She has led walks and hikes in a variety of subjects from Geology to Birding and especially enjoys learning and teaching about our local ecology. She currently works at the NC Arboretum as the Adult Education Coordinator managing all the programming hosted through the Adult Education Department. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Eco Printing and Book Binding

Eco Printing and Book Bindingwith Joyce Tromba Saturday, July 11  |  10 am – 4 pm Sunday, July 12  |  10 am – 1 pm REGISTER HERE On this first day of the two-day workshop, you will learn the magic of eco-printing on paper with the use of mordants and modifiers. All mate......More

Eco Printing and Book Bindingwith Joyce Tromba Saturday, July 11  |  10 am – 4 pm Sunday, July 12  |  10 am – 1 pm REGISTER HERE On this first day of the two-day workshop, you will learn the magic of eco-printing on paper with the use of mordants and modifiers. All materials will be provided. We’ll then make a Coptic Book on the second day a traditional multi-signature book which uses one of the oldest stitches in bookbinding. The spine is exposed showing the lovely regular stitches using pairs of needles. It is a simple and lovely way to bind a book. We will use a pad of mixed media paper which makes the preparation of the pages simple and quick. The finished book will be 6 X 4.5 inches. If you have some experience with hand sewing a book and you’d like to make a bigger book, please let me know. If you have your own bookmaking tools feel free to bring them but a bookmaking kit will be available for each student. All materials provided. Joyce Tromba is happily settled into life in lovely Western North Carolina after living and teaching around the world for 30 years. Her travels have exposed her to many fiber traditions and she has always found groups of fiber folks wherever she was to share her making with. Joyce has 20+ years teaching design, sewing, knitting, quilting and bookmaking to High School students and adults. She has studied fiber and book and fiber arts at Penland, Arrowmont, John C. Campbell Folk School, and the Center for Book Arts in New York City. Her work can be found at Local Cloth where she also teaches natural dyeing, bookmaking and sewing classes. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Guided Trail Walk

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and thr......More

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more. Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather. There is no pre-registration walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center. Walks are FREE however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free. Know Before You GoGuided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.

Eco Printing and Book Binding

Eco Printing and Book Bindingwith Joyce Tromba Saturday, July 11  |  10 am – 4 pm Sunday, July 12  |  10 am – 1 pm REGISTER HERE On this first day of the two-day workshop, you will learn the magic of eco-printing on paper with the use of mordants and modifiers. All mate......More

Eco Printing and Book Bindingwith Joyce Tromba Saturday, July 11  |  10 am – 4 pm Sunday, July 12  |  10 am – 1 pm REGISTER HERE On this first day of the two-day workshop, you will learn the magic of eco-printing on paper with the use of mordants and modifiers. All materials will be provided. We’ll then make a Coptic Book on the second day a traditional multi-signature book which uses one of the oldest stitches in bookbinding. The spine is exposed showing the lovely regular stitches using pairs of needles. It is a simple and lovely way to bind a book. We will use a pad of mixed media paper which makes the preparation of the pages simple and quick. The finished book will be 6 X 4.5 inches. If you have some experience with hand sewing a book and you’d like to make a bigger book, please let me know. If you have your own bookmaking tools feel free to bring them but a bookmaking kit will be available for each student. All materials provided. Joyce Tromba is happily settled into life in lovely Western North Carolina after living and teaching around the world for 30 years. Her travels have exposed her to many fiber traditions and she has always found groups of fiber folks wherever she was to share her making with. Joyce has 20+ years teaching design, sewing, knitting, quilting and bookmaking to High School students and adults. She has studied fiber and book and fiber arts at Penland, Arrowmont, John C. Campbell Folk School, and the Center for Book Arts in New York City. Her work can be found at Local Cloth where she also teaches natural dyeing, bookmaking and sewing classes. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Guided Trail Walk

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and thr......More

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more. Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather. There is no pre-registration walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center. Walks are FREE however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free. Know Before You GoGuided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.

Arbor Evenings

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through......More

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through September 17, 2026 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.     **Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.** There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from Arbor Evenings help support The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission. 5:30 – 8:30: Rhythm Rockets (Americana, R&R, Blues, and Country)Theme: Sweet ‘n SoulfulScheduled performances are subject to change.View upcoming dates here. Support for this event series is generously provided by:

Baker Event Lawn

Arbor Evenings

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through......More

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through September 17, 2026 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.     **Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.** There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from Arbor Evenings help support The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission. 5:30 – 8:30: Trippin Up the Stairs (Traditional Celtic, some Old Time, with a flat-foot dancer)Scheduled performances are subject to change.View upcoming dates here. Support for this event series is generously provided by:

Baker Event Lawn

Plein Air Painting in the Gardens

Plein Air Painting in the Gardenswith Erika Busse Friday, July 17  |  9am – 11pm REGISTER HERE There is no better way to relax and connect with your creative side and nature than en plein air painting. In this class, artist Erika Busse will teach you how to paint an ori......More

Plein Air Painting in the Gardenswith Erika Busse Friday, July 17  |  9am – 11pm REGISTER HERE There is no better way to relax and connect with your creative side and nature than en plein air painting. In this class, artist Erika Busse will teach you how to paint an original Appalachian inspired artwork outside at the beautiful North Carolina Arboretum. She will take you through each step of the painting process, all skill levels are welcomed and all supplies are provided. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Erika Busse moved to Asheville in 2017 after graduating from the University of Alabama with degrees in art and business. She is a small business owner of her full time artist business, sharing mountain inspired painting and printmaking with the world. She has been teaching plein air painting classes since 2021. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Intro to Nature Journaling

Intro to Nature Journalingwith Andrew Dundas Friday, July 17  |  10 – 12pm BRN – Elective  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Nature journaling fosters a connection to the outdoors unique to each individual who pursues it. It can be a means to practice art or poetry, a th......More

Intro to Nature Journalingwith Andrew Dundas Friday, July 17  |  10 – 12pm BRN – Elective  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Nature journaling fosters a connection to the outdoors unique to each individual who pursues it. It can be a means to practice art or poetry, a therapeutic moment of reflection, or scientific exploration of the ecosystems around us. Join arboretum staff in a review of the principles of nature journaling, exploration of other’s work, and visits to multiple sites across the Arboretum with optional prompts and tips for journaling. Basic supplies will be provided, such as notebooks and writing/drawing utensils, but you are also welcome to bring your own. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Andrew Dundas is an Adult Education employee with a passion for history, folklore, and global cultures. He studied journalism and visual storytelling at the University of Chapel Hill before joining the Arboretum’s Youth Education Department and later the Adult Education Department. Andrew is also a former cultural exchange student who spent a year living in and learning about the culture of Slovakia, while studying the language, history, and folklore of the nation. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!