Iowa Arboretum & Gardens

ISU Xi Sigma Pi Maple Syrup Day
2026-04-04 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Come for all you can eat pancakes and learn about the maple syrup process! Other demonstrations include timber sports, wood turning craft, and educational displays. Students running the day are from the ISU Xi Sigma Pi Forestry program. Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 8am-11am

Dad's Belgian Waffles
2026-03-14 09:00 - 11:30 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us from 9-11:30am on Saturday, March 14, 2026 for all you can eat waffles! Waffles, sausages and beverages will be served with whipped cream, fun toppings and flavored syrups. $10 per person – age 5 and under eat FREE! We will also have some crafts and outdoor activities (weather depending)! A delicious & fun event for the whole family!

ISU ~ Xi Sigma Pi Maple Syrup Day
2026-02-05 08:00 - 17:00 | IA
Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 8am to 11am ~ Join us for all you can eat pancakes and a variety of demonstrations and educational displays about maple syrup & trees!

Winter is for the Birds!
2026-01-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Saturday January 31, 2026 ~ 1pm-3pm ~ Join us as we explore, observe, and identify Iowa winter birds with guidance from avid and expert birder, Karl Jungbluth. This family oriented program includes outdoor activities, so dress for the weather! Program is FREE for Arboretum members. BECOME A MEMBER HERE Program is included with general admission for non-members. REGISTER HERE

Forevergreens Holiday Fundraiser
2025-12-01 09:00 - 2025-12-05 16:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Support the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens by making your home festive for the holidays! These are great gifts for neighbors, friends and loved ones, as well. Stop by and choose yours during our open hours – weekdays 9am-4pm Monday, December 1, 2025 through Friday, December 5, 2025. Prices vary among the wide selection of living decorative greenery! All pieces are hand-crafted locally.

Dad's Belgian Waffles
2025-11-22 09:00 - 11:30 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us from 9-11:30am on November 22, 2025 for all you can eat waffles! Waffles, sausages and beverages will be served with whipped cream, fun toppings and flavored syrups. $10 per person – age 5 and under eat FREE! We will also have some fall themed crafts and outdoor activities (weather depending)! A delicious & fun event for the whole family!

Trick or Treat in Treehouse Village
2025-10-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Costumed revelers of all ages and abilities travel the paved accessible trail at Treehouse Village collecting treats along the way! Halloween Scavenger Hunt, coloring contest, and more. Family friendly fun!
Included with regualr admission or discounted Museums for All admissions (with SNAP/EBT/WIC card + Photo ID). Members are always FREE! No extra charge for activities or trick or treating.

Family Funday Sunday!
2025-10-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us for some learning and exploration fun! The topic for Sunday, October 26, 2025 is Spooky Science, where we’ll discover all sorts of interesting science facts that some people think are spooky! 10am-12noon, open house style. Activities are free with paid admission. Members are always free! AFTERWARDS, JOIN US FOR THE TRICK OR TREAT AT TREEHOUSE VILLAGE!

Pressed Flower Art Workshop
2025-10-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Pressed Flower Art Workshop – Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 1:00pm-3:00pm RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Participants choose from a range of flowers and leaves picked, pressed right here at the arboretum and ready for your personalized creation!
Use chosen flowers to make: Designed & laminated bookmark, Styled arrangement on cardstock, Craft a frame for your creation, Bring your own frame from home (recommended sizes 5×7 or 8×10). We will also have a small supply of glass frames available for purchase at the workshop.
There are so many ways to use pressed flowers to create art, so come join us! Workshop space is limited!

Family Funday Sunday!
2025-10-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us for some learning and exploration fun! The topic for Sunday, October 12, 2025 is Water Study, where we’ll discover all sorts of interesting facts about water and sources of water all around and near the Iowa Arboretum. 10am-12noon, open house style. Activities are free with paid admission. Members are always free!

B Inspired 5K Run/Walk
2025-10-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
B Inspired and get out into the woodlands, prairies and gardens of the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens for some good exercise in the Boone County fresh air!REGISTER HERE!

Family Funday Sunday!
2025-09-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us for some learning and exploration fun! The topic for Sunday, September 28, 2025 is Paper Crafts, where we’ll discover all sorts of ways to create interesting crafts using paper.10am-12noon, open house style. Activities are free with paid admission. Members are always free!

Treehouses at Twilight - Harvest Hootenanny
2025-09-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us for Treehouses at Twilight – Harvest Hootenanny on Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 6pm-9pm. This is an event where the adults can be a kid again in Treehouses, at an elevated play area, and along the woodland trails. Each ticket includes 21+ admission, one featured drink ticket, adult snacks and beverages, musical entertainment by local artist Day’s Live Music, themed photo booth and more! Discounts for Couples and Members!
GET TICKETS HERE

Family Funday Sunday!
2025-09-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us for some learning and exploration fun! The topic for Sunday, September 14, 2025 is Animal Study, where we’ll discover all sorts of interesting facts about the critters that call the Iowa Arboretum home. 10am-12noon, open house style. Activities are free with paid admission. Members are always free!

PAWS IN THE PARK Run/Walk
2025-09-13 07:00 - 09:30 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Run or walk for a “Good Paws ” with or without a canine friend! 5K Run/ walk starts and finishes at the beautiful Iowa Arboretum & Gardens.
7:00 am -8:00am Registration – T-shirt/ Packet Pickup at Beckwith Grand Pavilion at the Iowa Arboretum. Upon registration you will be free to begin the course and keep your own time.
Dog Information
Dogs will get bandanas and goody bags.
Maximum 2 dogs per person and must be up to date on all vaccinations.

Tunes in the Trees - September 9, 2025
2025-09-09 17:00 - 20:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us in the gardens for a family friendly outdoor concert event with the WEARY RAMBLERS. FOOD TRUCKS: local fare from Brick & Ember Pizza and V & B Farms Ice Cream. Bring a lawn chair, picnic blanket, the kids and the family dog – all are welcome at this summertime favorite!
CONCERT ADMISSION: $10 for non-members age 13 and older; $5 for members age 13 and older; children age 12 and under FREE!
NEW IN 2025: $5 gets non-members some Treehouse Playtime from 5pm-6pm before the music starts (Iowa Arboretum Members FREE)!

Treehouses at Twilight - Western Whimsy
2025-08-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us for Treehouses at Twilight – Western Whimsy on August 28, 2025 from 6pm-9pm. This is an event where the adults can be a kid again in Treehouses, at an elevated play area, and along the woodland trails. Each ticket includes 21+ admission, one featured drink ticket, adult snacks and beverages, musical entertainment by local singer/songwriter Jordan Messerole, themed photo booth and more! Discounts for Couples and Members!
GET TICKETS HERE

Pressed Flower Art Workshop
2025-08-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Pressed Flower Art Workshop – Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 1:00pm-3:00pm GET TICKETS
Participants choose from a range of flowers and leaves picked, pressed right here at the arboretum and ready for your personalized creation!
Use chosen flowers to make: Designed & laminated bookmark, Styled arrangement on cardstock, Craft a frame for your creation, Bring your own frame from home (recommended sizes 5×7 or 8×10). We will also have a small supply of glass frames available for purchase at the workshop.
There are so many ways to use pressed flowers to create art, so come join us! Workshop space is limited!

Family Funday Sunday!
2025-08-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-13 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Family friendly activities designed to help you explore and learn together about nature and the outdoors! Included with admission – Members are always free! 10am-12noon No registration necessary!

Kids Climb Tree Climbing Event
2025-08-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Sunday August 17, 2025 – Join us from 1:00pm-3:00pm for safe tree climbing with the Iowa Arborist Association! All equipment (helmet, harness, etc.) is provided. FREE with paid admission. Members are always FREE!

Tunes in the Trees - August 12, 2025
2025-08-12 17:00 - 20:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us in the gardens for a family friendly outdoor concert event with Carter Guse. FOOD TRUCKS: local fare from Comfort Food Catering and V & B Farms Ice Cream. Bring a lawn chair, picnic blanket, the kids and the family dog – all are welcome at this summertime favorite!
CONCERT ADMISSION: $10 for non-members age 13 and older; $5 for members age 13 and older; children age 12 and under FREE!
NEW IN 2025: $5 gets non-members some Treehouse Playtime from 5pm-6pm before the music starts (Iowa Arboretum Members FREE)!

Iowa Arboretum & Gardens Trial Program Public Evaluation Day
2025-08-09 10:00 - 16:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
YOU ARE INVITED!
Join the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens Trial Program for their second Public Evaluation Day! You and up to one adult guest and two children are invited to participate in evaluating perennials and shrubs in the trial garden. Walk the garden to check out soon to be available varieties and let us know your favorites! Evaluation generally takes around 25-30 minutes; you are then welcome to walk the grounds on the West Side of the arboretum for free.
Background: Due to a lack of regionally specific research, demonstration, and outreach surrounding newly introduced ornamental plants for Central Iowa, the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens established an ornamental trial garden for the categories of herbaceous perennials and shrubs in the Spring of 2023. This public-facing trial garden provides beauty, education, and outreach to the people of Iowa in a form viewable to the public, allowing for year-round visibility and observation of these plants. The Public Evaluation Day helps us in several ways. First, we get to hear from you, the consumer, about what plants you want in your garden. Second, we expose the Central Iowa public to the breadth of plants that are available to you while testing their long-term performance. Help us help you garden better!
Details: By participating in the Public Evaluation Day, you and up to one adult guest and two children get free admission to the West Side of the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens. Entry into Treehouse Village and the East Side of the grounds will require admission or membership to the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens (see front desk upon visit). A short program will begin at 11am and again at 2pm.
*Golf cart service is available for persons needing assistance
Please RSVP for you and your guest(s) by July 20th below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44A5AD28ABFEC25-55183929-trial
Learn more about the program:
https://iowaarboretum.org/ourplants/trialprogram/

OPEN LATE until 8!
2025-07-29 16:00 - 20:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
TUESDAY JULY 29, 2025 – Join us after 4pm for playtime until 8pm! Extended hours at the regular admission rate. Museums for All discounted admission for up to 4 total in a family – must show SNAP/EBT/WIC card plus Photo ID). Arboretum members are always FREE!

Treehouses at Twilight - Supper Club
2025-07-24 18:00 - 21:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us for Treehouses at Twilight – Supper Club on Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 6pm-9pm. JULY 24 EVENT INFORMATION: This is a rain or shine event – we will move indoors if needed, due to rain or storms. There is a bug soother repellent dispenser at the Treehouse Village if bugs are an issue. Feel free to bring your own bug repellent if you desire to do so!
This is an event where the adults can be a kid again in Treehouses, at an elevated play area, and along the woodland trails. Each ticket includes 21+ admission, one featured drink ticket, adult snacks and beverages, musical entertainment by local group The Weary Ramblers, themed photo booth and more! Discounts for Couples and Members!
GET TICKETS HERE

OPEN LATE until 8!
2025-07-22 16:00 - 20:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
TUESDAY JULY 22, 2025 – Join us after 4pm for playtime until 8pm! Extended hours at the regular admission rate. Museums for All discounted admission for up to 4 total in a family – must show SNAP/EBT/WIC card plus Photo ID). Arboretum members are always FREE!

Tunes in the Trees - July 8, 2025
2025-07-08 17:00 - 20:00 | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
Join us in the gardens for a family friendly outdoor concert event with BUCKMILLER SCHWAGER BAND. FOOD TRUCKS: local comfort fare from Kaaswagen and V & B Farms Ice Cream. Bring a lawn chair, picnic blanket, the kids and the family dog – all are welcome at this summertime favorite!
CONCERT ADMISSION: $10 for non-members age 13 and older; $5 for members age 13 and older; children age 12 and under FREE!
NEW IN 2025: $5 gets non-members some Treehouse Playtime from 5pm-6pm before the music starts (Iowa Arboretum Members FREE)!
