Garfield Park Conservatory offers a wide range of engaging and fun programs for all ages. Click on the links above to get specific information on upcoming programs and events. Still have questions?
Call us at 317-327-7183 or Call Customer Service at 317-327-PARK
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Garfield Park Master Gardener - Guided Conservatory Tours
2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month @ 11 AM - Included in that days admissions fee
Jungle Tales
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | 10-11 am
Ages: 2-5 – $6 per child
Bring your preschooler to a program with a focus on the natural world. There will be a story, activities, crafts and so much more. Registration required; space is limited.
Garden Storytime
Thursday, April 17, 2026 | 10 am
Ages: All (Geared towards ages 2-8) |Free | Drop-in
Join us in the Conservatory Classroom as we learn about nature through a story reading. After the reading children are encouraged to stay and explore the Children’s Garden. This program is free and open to anyone wishing to attend. The target age range is 2-8 years old.
Orchid Show
April 25 & 26, 2026 | 10 am - 5 pm
$7 per person or $15 per family (2 adults max.)
This weekend, the Garfield Conservatory will be filled with displays of blooming orchids from across the Midwest. Come check out this annual event presented by the Central Indiana Orchid Society. Orchids will also be available for sale.
Gnome Away from Home
March 20 – April 4, 2026
$7 per person or $15 per family (2 adults max.)
This spring break garden gnomes from far and wide will gather at the Conservatory! See this whimsical display of garden gnomes and try to spot them all! This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Gnome,” allowing visitors to enjoy the gnomes’ take on popular fairy tales. Contact the staff for information about loaning a gnome to be part of the display.
Fermentation Station: Kombucha
Saturday, April 4, 2026 | 1-2 pm
Ages: Adult| Fee: $15 per person
For the price of a few bottles kombucha, why not learn how to brew your own? We’ll meet the enigmatic SCOBY, cover both parts of the fermentation process, and share winning flavor tips and combinations! SCOBY and flip-top bottle included. Limit 15 people; pre-registration required.
Critter Chat
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 12 pm
Ages: All | Fee: Free | Drop-in
Drop by Blake’s Garden to meet one of our resident critters. No registration needed. Program will be held in classroom if weather is inclement.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 10-11 am
$5 per child | Ages: 2-5
Join us as we get to gardening in Blake’s Garden! Young ones will learn about gardening and have the chance to help plant, grow and harvest in our vegetable garden. There will also be a story, craft and time to explore. Registration required.
Dandelion Magic
Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 1-2pm
Ages: 16 and up | $10 per person
Did you know you have a free pharmacy growing in your own backyard? Transform your relationship to dandelions by learning how to forage this ubiquitous weed and turn it into a pain-relieving salve or bath soak! Fee includes all materials; registration required.
Sunday, May 24 |1-2 pm
Ages: 4 and up | Fee: $25 per planter
Help support your local butterflies by making a planter full of their favorite foods! We will plant flowers for pollination and host plants for caterpillars: something for every part of the butterfly life cycle.
Program fee is per planter. You can make one planter for your family or make individual planters. These are decent sized planters, so you may only want one. Program fee includes: planter, soil, plants, and labels. Conservatory admission for one person also included in program fee.
Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 10-11:30 am
Ages: 16 and up | $6 per person
Join the Herb Society of Central Indiana for a fun class on making gifts with herbs, perfect for Mother's Day or anyone else that needs a spring pick-me-up. You will also have the opportunity to learn about herbs you can grow yourself throughout the season and flowers that you can grow that are edible. There will be recipes, handouts and herbal snacks. Pre-registration required.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 10-11 am
Ages: 2-5 – $6 per child
Bring your preschooler to a program with a focus on the natural world. There will be a story, activities, crafts and so much more. Registration required; space is limited.
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 10 am
Ages: All (Geared towards ages 2-8) |Free | Drop-in
Join us in the Conservatory Classroom as we learn about nature through a story reading. After the reading children are encouraged to stay and explore the Children’s Garden. This program is free and open to anyone wishing to attend. The target age range is 2-8 years old.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 11 am
Ages: All | Fee: Free | Drop-in
Drop by Blake’s Garden to meet one of our resident critters. No registration needed. Program will be held in classroom if weather is inclement.
Fermentation Station: Kimchi
Saturday, June 13 | 1-2pm
Ages: 10 and up | $15
Come explore the kitchen alchemy of fermentation! Learn how to take cabbage, daikon and carrot from harvest through preparation and lactic acid fermentation, resulting in delicious, spicy kimchi! Fee includes one jar of kimchi, picked up the following week when fermentation is complete. Limit 15 participants; pre-registration required. Participants must be comfortable using a knife to chop vegetables.
Little Green Thumbs
Wednesday, June 24 | 11 am -12 pm
Ages: 2-5 | Fee: $6 per child
Bring your little gardener to get their hands dirty in the Children's Garden. Participants will have the opportunity to plant, care for, and harvest crops in the Garden. Come to one, or come to all. Registration required.
Saturday & Sunday, June 27 & 28
Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday: 1-5pm
$7 per person, $15 per family (2 adults max per family)
2nd Annual Show, for one weekend only!
We have teamed up with our dear friend Chad Williams of Indiana Insectivores to create a stunning display of predator plants. We'll have native Indiana predator plants as well as our usual plethora of tropical ones.
There will also be carnivorous plants for sale!
Saturday, June 27 | 1-2 PM
Free with Admission to the Carnivorous Plants Show
Come get an in-depth look at the various mechanisms employed by carnivorous plants, and learn about the surprising beneficial relationships between these plants and other animals. Our Assistant Manager and Naturalist Jessica Helmbold took a Masters level class on carnivorous plants and will share what she's learned with us.
Bonsai Show
Saturday and Sunday, June 6 & 7
Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday: 1-5pm
$7 per person, $15 per family (2 adults max per family)
Join the Indianapolis Bonsai Club as they showcase their unique bonsai specimens throughout the Conservatory. Club members will be available to answer your questions, and vendors will have items for sale.
Jungle Tales
Tuesday, June 9 | 10-11 am
Ages: 2-5 | Fee: $6 per child
Bring your preschooler to a program with a focus on the natural world. There will be a story, activities, crafts and so much more. Registration required; space is limited.
Dollar Menu Night
Wednesday, June 10| 6pm-7ish
Ages: All | Fee: $1
Come meet your neighbors as we harvest, cook, and share a meal from the veggies growing in Blakes' Garden! And yes, it really is just a dollar. Do register online so I know how many we're cooking for!
Garden Storytime
Friday, June 12 | 10 am
Ages: All (Geared towards ages 2-8) | Free | Drop-in
Join us in Blake’s Children’s Garden as we learn about nature through a story reading. After the reading children are encouraged to stay and explore the garden. This program is free and open to anyone wishing to attend. The target age range is 2-8 years old.
Program will be moved into the classroom in case of inclement weather.
Critter Chat
Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 12 pm
Ages: All | Free | Drop-in
Drop by Blake’s Garden to meet one of our resident critters. No registration needed. Program will be held in classroom if weather is inclement.