Evening hours have officially begun! From now through Friday, August 28th, the National Arboretum will stay open until 8 PM on weekdays. The Arboretum will close at 5 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

Evening Hours Gate, Access, and Facilities Information > 

Every Wednesday, FONA will host wellness activities during evening hours from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Try out a beginner-friendly yoga workout, an outdoor painting class with a local D.C. artist, or an immersive gong bathing experience. 

See the Full Wellness Wednesday Schedule>

On Fridays, we’ll have food trucks by the Visitor Center from 5 PM to 7:45 PM. This Friday, savor an authentic Mexican meal from Dos Carnales and a sweet treat from Frosty Softy! 

Check Out the Full Food Truck Lineup >

Unleash your inner creativity at FONA’s Art in Nature workshop on Wednesday, June 17th from 6 PM to 7:30 PM at the National Arboretum. This event is part of FONA’s Wellness Wednesday series, hosted all summer long during summer evening hours.

During this session, participants will paint local environmental icons like the Wood Thrush, D.C.’s state bird, and the dogwood tree. Accomplished D.C. artist AbNormal will instruct participants on how to utilize and layer colors. AbNormal is known for his bold use of color and abstraction to convey emotion. 

Bring your friends and some non-alcoholic drinks and snacks to enjoy a “paint and sip” vibe as you immerse yourself in the beauty of the Washington Youth Garden. Beginners and experienced artists alike are all welcome! Tickets cost $35, and all supplies are included.

Register for Art in Nature >

It’s peak picnic season, and the National Arboretum is the ideal place to host your own! A picnic at the Arboretum won runner-up for best date activity in the Washington City Paper's "Best of DC" competition in 2025. The Arboretum been a finalist in the category since 2022!

When planning your picnic, please make sure you are following the U.S. National Arboretum’s guidelines:

• Picnic only in the National Grove of State Trees picnic area. Barbecues, fires, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. 
• Playing ball, flying kites, swimming, wading, fishing, skating, skiing, sledding, and other sports activities are prohibited.
• Climbing trees is prohibited.
• Pets must be leashed at all times and must be controlled so that they do not urinate on, defecate in, or enter garden beds. Owners must clean up after their pets.

Visitors are welcome to pack their own picnics to enjoy on the grounds, or to visit on a Friday evening and grab dinner from a local food truck during Food Truck Fridays.



Interested in hosting a company picnic for your team? Read more in this guide produced by MTG Hospitality, FONA’s venue rental partner.

Plan Your Visit >

On behalf of FONA’s Board of Directors, we want to thank everyone who recently joined us for the Spring Soirée in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Guests traveled from near and far — some from as close as the Arboretum’s next-door neighborhood, others from as far away as Florida and Maine! 



The Soirée was a truly spectacular evening in celebration of the U.S. National Arboretum. Guests heard from Dr. Richard Olsen, Director of the National Arboretum, about the importance of FONA’s relationship with the Arboretum. A delegation from the Slovenian Embassy also presented a traditional Slovenian beehive as a gift to the National Arboretum in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Thank you to all who attended and made this such a vibrant, memorable night.

While the Geranium genus is associated with bright flowers, its sister genus Pelargonium is valued more for its foliage. The fuzzy, lobed leaves release aromatic oils when rubbed or crushed, reminiscent of the scent of other familiar plants. Some species create fragrances reminiscent of apple (P. cordifolium or P. odoratissimum) or rose (P. graveolons, P. capitatum, or P. radens) without any human intervention. Additionally, cultivars have been bred to mimic the scent of chocolate, ginger, lavender, and pineapple. Pelargoniums are used in both the perfume industry, where oil made from the leaves supplements rose oil, and in the confectionary industry, where the leaves and flowers add flavor and decoration to desserts and teas. Not all plants in the genus are edible, though, so please do not eat any plants on the National Arboretum grounds! The plant is toxic to many animals, so keep it away from pets. Pelargoniums have extensive uses in herbal medicine and have been used to treat a wide variety of health problems, including respiratory issues. The oil is also valued in aromatherapy for its calming properties.

See our calendar for a list of all of our upcoming events and programs. FONA members get member perks like discounts and early access to registration. Donate any amount to become a FONA member!