Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens

10/14/2026

🌱 Unplug. Breathe. Wander. Sometimes a little time in nature is exactly what we need.

10/14/2026

🍂🌟 THIS FRIDAY! ARBORETUM UNDER THE STARS — HARVEST FEST! 🌟🍂

Looking for a fun fall evening the whole family can enjoy? 🎃 Bring the kiddos, bundle up, and join us at the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens for a magical night under the autumn sky! 🌙🍁

🎨 Make your own Halloween mask!
🔥 Snuggle up beside the bonfire!
🍡 Roast marshmallows and enjoy a sweet treat!
👻 Gather around for family-friendly fall fun!
🌌 Enjoy an evening outdoors surrounded by the beauty of nature!

✨ Whether you're making memories with the kids, enjoying the crisp fall air, or simply taking a break from the busy week, Harvest Fest is the perfect way to celebrate the season together!

📅 THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
⏰ 5:30–9:30 PM

🎃 Costumes are encouraged, so come ready for a little fall magic!

🍂 Tag your family and friends and make plans to join us under the stars! 🌟🔥

10/14/2026

🔥🎶 SING A LITTLE, ROAST A MARSHMALLOW, AND SOAK UP THE HOLIDAY MAGIC! 🎶🔥

Imagine strolling through a garden glowing with holiday lights, hearing the sweet sounds of Christmas carolers, and then gathering around a crackling bonfire to roast a few marshmallows! 🔥🍡✨ Now THAT’S a holiday memory in the making! ❤️🎄

At Illuminate the Gardens at the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, the magic isn’t just in the lights—it’s in the moments we share! 💫 Take a break from the holiday hustle, warm up by the fire, enjoy the carolers, sip some hot chocolate ☕, make s’mores, and experience the beauty of the gardens after dark. 🌟🌲

📅 November 26 – December 26, 2026
🗓️ Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays
⏰ 5:30–9:30 PM

🎄 Bring your family, invite your friends, and make Illuminate the Gardens part of your holiday tradition!

✨ Beautiful lights. Christmas carolers. A warm bonfire. Marshmallows waiting to be toasted. What more could you ask for? ❤️🔥

10/13/2026

Time to start the Fall garden activities to get the best results next year! Black Hawk County Master Gardeners

Fall isn't just about putting the garden to bed. It's also a great time to plant spring-blooming bulbs and prepare new garden beds for next year.

Find even more seasonal tips in the Yard and Garden Fall Garden Tasks guide: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/fall-garden-tasks


Iowa State Extension Yard and Garden ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources Iowa State University Department of Horticulture

10/13/2026

🍂☀️ 🌿💛

There’s something special about a lovely fall day with the sun shining, a gentle breeze in the air, and nature putting on its colorful autumn show. 🍁 Take a break from your busy day, step outside, and enjoy a peaceful walk. 🚶‍♀️

Breathe deeply, feel the sunshine on your face, listen to the leaves rustling, and let the beauty around you remind you to slow down and enjoy the moment. 🌳✨ Sometimes, the best way to recharge is simply to step outside and let nature do its magic. 💚

10/12/2026

Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky....

10/12/2026

🌿 Closed Mondays for Care & Renewal 🌿

The Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens is closed to the public on Mondays so our staff and volunteers can take care of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our gardens and facilities beautiful, safe, and welcoming. 🌸 From grounds maintenance and garden projects to facility upkeep and special preparations, Mondays give us valuable time to tackle those important tasks. It also provides our dedicated staff with a much-needed day of rest and allows volunteers to come in and lend a hand. 💚

We appreciate your understanding and support as we work behind the scenes to keep the Arboretum growing, blooming, and ready for you! 🌱🌼

10/11/2026

🎃🧙‍♀️ ONLY 2 WEEKS UNTIL WITCHES’ HALLOW! 🧙‍♂️🎃

The spooky countdown continues! 👻 Witches’ Hallow is just TWO WEEKS away! Join us Sunday, October 25 from 11 AM–2 PM for an afternoon of Halloween fun at the Arboretum! 🍂🎃

👻 Come dressed as your favorite witch, wizard, ghost, goblin, princess, superhero—or anything you can imagine! Costumes are encouraged! 🧙‍♀️🦸‍♂️

🎨 Fun crafts
🍬 Halloween treats
🎁 Special Halloween trinkets
💃 A special dance team performance
🌳 Spooky fun throughout the gardens!

🎃 Remember—come early! The first 100 kids will receive special Halloween trinkets, and crafts will be available for the first 100 kids too! 🎁🎨

Grab the family, put on those costumes, and get ready for a spooktacular afternoon in the gardens! 👻🍂🎃

⏰ TWO WEEKS… AND COUNTING!

Who’s already planning their costume? 👇🧙‍♀️🎃

10/11/2026

✨🌹 PREPARING TO SHINE BRIGHT AT ILLUMINATE THE GARDENS! 🌹✨

The magic of the holidays is beginning to take shape at the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens! 🎄💫 As we prepare for Illuminate the Gardens, a generous donor has stepped forward to help preserve one of our beautiful garden features—the Pergola in the Rose Garden! 🌹

Thanks to their generosity, the pergola was professionally powerwashed and treated with linseed oil to help protect and preserve the structure for years to come. Now, as we get ready for the holiday season, this special garden feature will be illuminated and become part of the sparkling beauty of our holiday light experience! ✨💡

💚 This is what community generosity looks like! Every gift, large or small, helps us care for the gardens and create memorable experiences for our visitors throughout the year.

Join us Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from November 26 through December 26, 5:30–9:30 PM, for a magical stroll through the lighted gardens, along with carolers, a bonfire, s’mores, and hot chocolate! 🎶🔥☕

10/11/2026

Join me in congratulating Penny Popp in her Fairy Door Contest Winner, in the Pollinator's Paradise category, she titled it "Waiting for the Fairies". She utilized her skills in Dot Painting to create a large butterfly as overwatch on the Fairy door.