You are receiving this email because you registered for the Camellia Festival! Thank you for being a part of such a special event.

Welcome to a weekend filled with beauty, history, and vibrant blooms at the historic Camellia Greenhouse at Planting Fields! Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of camellias, showcasing over 200 breathtaking varieties and thousands of stunning flowers in full bloom. As you explore this remarkable collection, don’t miss the opportunity to engage with our dedicated staff, who are passionate about caring for these magnificent plants. To help you prepare for the festival, here are some important details:

Know Before You Go

The safety of our visitors and our staff is our first priority. Please be advised that there may be updates to the Camellia Festival due to the weather. Please click here to check our website for the most up to date information.

Event Details:

Saturday, February 14, 2026 & Sunday, February 15, 2026

10am – 4pm 

Address: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay 11771

Parking: Main Visitor Lot 

There is no parking fee in effect.

What You Can Expect at the Camellia Festival

Please see map below or click here for the complete digital version. Activities can be found inside the Camellia Greenhouse, inside the Main House, and outside in the Wedell Bird Sanctuary and Costich Garden. 

Guest Check-In: Please check in at the Main House upon arrival. E-tickets are not required for check-in; simply provide the last name under which the registration was processed to our staff.

Inside the Main House

Guests can enjoy the following activities throughout the day, unless otherwise noted: 

• Self-Guided Tours of the first floor of the Main House 
• Typewriter Poet creating custom poems for guests in the Dining Room 
• Coe Families Camellia Plate Display on view in the Dining Room 
• Tea Tastings featuring Chamomile, Green, Hibiscus, and Black teas, with insights into the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant 
•  Activity Stations including make-your-own custom tea blends, camellia watercolor painting, and paper camellia flower making 
• Live Music by James Erickson 
• Live Watercolor Painting from 10:30am to 4pm
• Highlights from 2025 Catalyst Artist Sam Van Aken, along with materials from our archives, on view in the Writing Room 

All of these activities are included with Camellia Festival admission. 

Inside the Camellia Greenhouse 

• Camellia Greenhouse Tours taking place at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm and will be led by Arboretum Director Vincent Simeone. 
• Guided Walking Tours with the Centre Island Bird Sanctuary will be offered at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm. Please note that these tours begin at the Camellia Greenhouse and continue outdoors to the Wedell Bird Sanctuary and Costich Gardens. Guests should be prepared to walk on both paved and uneven terrain. 
• The Science of Camellias: Discover the fascinating Fibonacci Sequence, developed by Leonardo Fibonacci in 1202, and learn how this mathematical pattern appears throughout nature from snail shells and flower petals to camellias.  
• All About Ladybugs: Learn about these beneficial beetles, why they are valued by gardeners, and how you can support natural pest control at home with their help.

Accessibility:

The Camellia Greenhouse is ADA accessible, although some paths may be challenging for wheelchairs and those with mobility difficulties. Please inform us of any special requests in advance.

Getting Here:

By Car: Take the Long Island Expressway to Exit 41 North or Northern State Parkway to Exit 35 North. Continue north on Route 106 towards Oyster Bay, then turn left onto 25A Northern Boulevard. Take the first right onto Mill River Road and follow the green and white signs to the Arboretum on Planting Fields Road.

By Train: Oyster Bay is the last stop on the Oyster Bay line of the Long Island Railroad. Planting Fields is approximately 1.5 miles west.

Important Note:

By attending this event, you consent to being in pictures and film taken by Planting Fields Foundation. Images may be used for promotional purposes, including social media, our website, newsletters, grant requests, and reports. If you have concerns or wish to opt out, please contact us.

For any inquiries, opt outs, or special accommodations, please contact Lilly McGurk, Stewardship Director, at lmcgurk@plantingfields.org

We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Thank you to our Camellia Festival sponsors and partners!

OTHER EVENTS FOR YOU

Programs and events for all ages.

FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS:

"The Diplomat" Tour: Exclusive President's Day Access

Monday, Feb. 16 | 11am – 2pm

Step inside the world of The Diplomat with this special, limited-time tour at the Main House. Explore the Main House’s rich history, then go behind the scenes to see how the team created cinematic magic while preserving this historic space. 

A must-see for fans, newcomers, and Planting Fields lovers – no spoilers, just a fascinating look at how The Diplomat came to life!

Guided Tours | 11am and 12pm | $18 per person

Self-Guided Tours | 1pm and 2pm | $15 per person 

Children and senior pricing available.

Join us on President's Day, Monday, Feb. 16, for this one-monday-only special! All are welcome and student tickets are only $5 with valid ID. Book this special Monday tour now! 

See the normal schedule for this tour, available until Mar. 29, here.

FOR THE KIDS:

Backyard Birders: Youth Workshop

Monday, Feb. 16 | 10am – 12pm | $25 per child | Ages 6 – 12 

Get ready for a bird-filled adventure this winter break! Young explorers will discover Long Island’s amazing winter birds – from loons to barred owls – through hands-on activities and a guided nature walk with staff from Centre Island Bird Sanctuary, then become citizen scientists contributing to the Great Backyard Bird Count. Register now!

Landscape Design: Youth Workshop

Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 10am – 12pm | $25 per child | Ages 8 – 14 

Step into the world of landscape design and see how the experts shape the spaces we love! Kids will tour the Legacy of Landscape: Innocenti–Webel’s Designs for the Coes exhibition, explore the winter gardens outdoors, and tackle a hands-on design challenge to create their own dream park or garden. Perfect for budding designers, artists, and nature lovers! Register now.

FOR ADULTS:

Creative Spirits: The Story of the Camellia Greenhouse

Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 1 – 3pm | $35 per person

Join us for an expert talk with internationally renowned horticulturist and Planting Fields Arboretum Director, Vincent Simeone! 

Begin with a private half-hour to explore the Camellia Greenhouse while it is closed to the public and then join us in the Great Hall of the Main House for a tea-based signature drink as Vincent shares his expertise on the history, horticulture, and story of the Coe family’s collection of camellias. Register now!

FOR FAMILIES:

Branches in Bloom: A Spring Festival Celebrating Arbor Day

Saturday, Apr. 25 and Sunday, Apr. 26 | 11am – 4pm | $30 per car

This year, visitors are invited to experience Branches in Bloom, a new spring festival taking root at Planting Fields. Centered on the spectacular collections of magnolias and flowering cherries near the expansive lawn west of the Main House, the festival showcases hundreds of trees at the height of their bloom: an unforgettable celebration of spring in full flower!

Guests can enjoy educational displays and demonstrations, guided tours of the historic grounds, live performances, music, and family-friendly activities throughout the day. It’s a chance to slow down, explore, and fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the landscape as it awakens for the season.

For nearly four decades, Planting Fields has proudly celebrated Arbor Day and the vital role trees play in our environment. Branches in Bloom honors that long-standing tradition while embracing a new way to experience spring at Planting Fields.

Learn more and register now!