FONA's Dinner Under the Stars is unlike any other event at the National Arboretum. Full of connection and impact, this event is an unparalleled opportunity to show your support for the Arboretum while engaging with leaders across agriculture, conservation, and local philanthropy sectors.

Purchase a ticket and join us for this special fundraising event on Tuesday, September 9th from 5:30 PM to 9 PM. Set against the backdrop of the Capitol Columns, this open-air event features cocktails, a tented dinner, and engaging speakers.

Purchase a Dinner Under the Stars Ticket >

Tomorrow on August 21st, meet Logan Thompson, the goalie for the Washington Capitals, and your new best friend during our "pup-up". Come by the Grove at the Arboretum between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM and talk dogs, hockey, and all things pet rescue. Logan will meet with the community and share how he and his fiancé Linnea are helping rescue animals in D.C. The Humane Rescue Alliance will also have adoptable dogs to meet and cuddle with. Fetch! Pet Care will give out free pup-cups.

Food Truck Friday is a great way to fuel your Friday evening adventure at the National Arboretum. This Friday, August 22nd, Taco Dirty To Me will serve up tasty fusion-style tacos from 5 PM to 7:30 PM on Meadow Road Near the Visitor Center.

Please check FONA's social media pages (Instagram, Facebook) for any weather-related Food Truck Friday updates.

View the Food Truck's Menu >

This Friday's summer evening hours are sponsored by the Arboretum Neighborhood Friends & Family. A good neighbor is a found treasure. "This special evening is dedicated to the Arboretum community — past, present, and future. May we continue to be great neighbors to each other and for each other."

For $1 million, would you know the answer to this question: "Which of these words is often used to describe one of the most beautiful auditory effects on Earth: the sound made by the leaves of trees when wind blows through them?" Your options are apricity, petrichor, susurrus, and eudaemonia.

In a recent episode of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," Ken Jennings and Matt Damon picked the correct answer and won $1 million for Damon's nonprofit water.org.

Did You Guess Correctly? >

The quarterfinals are underway for our Dog of the Year photo contest. Eight of the original 32 dogs remain in the running for top dog of the National Arboretum. Cast your vote to determine which dogs will make it to the semifinals! You may vote once per day (or three times per round).

Quarterfinals voting will close on August 21st at 11:59 PM. Semifinals voting will run from August 22nd through August 24th. Finals voting will run from August 25th through 5 PM on August 27th. We will announce the winner at our Dog Days Celebration, held next Wednesday, August 27th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM behind Arbor House.

Vote for Dog of the Year >

Kick off September with an outdoor evening concert at the National Arboretum! Join us on Friday, September 5th from 7 PM to 8:30 PM as we celebrate the spirit of the National Herb Garden's "rock garden" music theme during our Music in the Meadow concert.

The Route 66 Band will play a medley of classic rock songs inspired by plants growing in the Herb Garden, like ‘Purple Rain’ peppers and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ sunflowers. You can also explore a “musical instrument petting zoo” and see instruments crafted from plants. Rocklands BBQ, Catalyst Hot Dogs, Captain Cookie and the Milkman, and Right Proper Brewing will all sell food and drink during the event.

Paid tickets are required to attend this event. General admission costs $25, or $20 for FONA members (members, email us for the discount code). A limited number of community discount tickets are available for $15. Children aged 12 and under can attend for free, but they must have a ticket.

Purchase a Concert Ticket >

The Herb Society of America

The Herb Society of America's upcoming Mid-Atlantic District Gathering in Virginia's Hunt Country is open to all gardeners. Held on September 5th through September 7th, the gathering will include a symposium with speakers Dr. Michael Raupp, Sir Peter Crane, and Mark Ragland. It will also include tours of three private gardens that are rarely opened to the public: Little Oatlands, Oak Spring Garden, and Boulder Crest Foundation.

Tiered registration is available for those wishing to attend the full event or just the garden tours. Registration closes on Friday, August 22nd.

Learn More & Register >

Ikebana International Chapter 1

On Saturday, September 6th, Ikebana International Chapter 1 of Washington, DC will present an ikebana demonstration and continental breakfast from 10 AM to 1 PM at the National Arboretum. Professor Noritaka Noda of the Ikenobo Ikebana NYC Chapter will lead the presentation. Registration is required and the last day to purchase tickets is Monday, September 1st.

Learn More & Register >

Summer Evening Hours

June 1 - August 30, 5 PM - 8 PM

Arboretum grounds stay open to the public

Important Evening Hours Details >

Dog Days "Pup-up"

Thursday, August 21, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Drop-in event with Humane Rescue Alliance

Learn More About "Pup-ups" >

Food Truck Friday: Taco Dirty To Me

Friday, August 22, 5 PM - 7:30 PM

Serving fusion tacos

Evening Sound Bathing

Tuesday, August 26, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Refresh your mind with soothing soundscapes

Class Schedule & Registration >

Evening Forest Bathing

Wednesday, August 27, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Guided meditation & mindfulness

Learn More & Register >

Dog Days "Pup-up"

Wednesday, August 27, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Photo contest winner announced & celebration

Learn More About "Pup-ups" >

Food Truck Friday: Dos Carnales & Frosty Softy

Friday, August 29, 5 PM - 7:30 PM

Serving Mexican food and ice cream

Music in the Meadow: Rock Garden

Friday, September 5, 7 PM - 8:30 PM

Paid outdoor concert with classic rock vibes

Purchase a Ticket >

Dinner Under the Stars

Tuesday, September 9, 5:30 PM - 9 PM

Unforgettable evening of connection & impact

Learn More & Purchase a Ticket >