Fall Foliage Festival 2023

October 28, 2023 - October 29, 2023
Saturday - Sunday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden
2525 S 336th St Federal Way, WA 98003
Location Map: See below

Enjoy a rainbow of colors and bushels of fun at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden’s Fall Foliage Festival October 28-29.

Discover an immersive wonderland of sights, sounds and sensations – from cool breezes to rustling leaves, and the quiet swaying of golden-brown maple trees.

The garden’s annual Fall Foliage Festival is sure to please garden aficionados and nature lovers of all ages.

Come see one of the finest displays of fall foliage color on the west coast. Our large collection of Japanese maples, deciduous azaleas and other deciduous species never fails to produce a huge range of bright colors right before we head into the dark and grey of winter. Your last chance for outdoor color until next spring!

Don your favorite October-themed outfit to compete for garden prizes in a light-hearted costume contest, enjoy sweet and frothy drinks, warm and spicy food, and partake in all manner of growing things. Garden ghouls and goblins of all ages will be swept away as they explore picturesque trails, share the good fall vibes, and celebrate this most enchanted time of year.

Visitors can begin their seasonal adventure with a sweet drink from Village Perk before joining a garden tour, plant talk, or searching for the perfect spot to take that quintessential fall photo. For plant hunters looking for something special, pop-up vendors Botanica and Prism Gardens Nursery will feature their cultivated collections on the Rutherford Conservatory terrace.

After a day spent exploring and creating new memories, guests can dig-in to a savory dish from Thai-u-up food truck before heading to the Gift Shop for unique garden gifts or peruse the books in the Visitor Center to learn about the beloved Rhododendron species and the natural history of the Pacific Northwest.

The Pacific Bonsai Museum, located across the courtyard from the Rhody Garden, is also celebrating their bonsai’s fall foliage this same weekend. All are invited to watch the significant seasonal transitions in bonsai, as the trees pull all their resources down into their roots and deciduous bonsai put on a colorful display. Pacific Bonsai Museum is admission by donation.

Both fall foliage festivals are sure to inspire woodland garden and bonsai enthusiasts alike. For those looking to enjoy nature and harvest the benefits of being outdoors, the Rhody Garden and the Pacific Bonsai Museum offer the perfect space to forest bathe, explore miles of trails, or just sit and enjoy the magic of the fall season.

Admission is FREE!

Schedule:

Saturday:
10 am – 4 pm: Pop-up plant vendors (Prism Gardens Nursery & Botanica)
10 am – 4 pm: Kids Scavenger Hunt
10:30 – 11:30 am: Phyto inspection
11 am – 3 pm: Food trucks Thai-U-Up & Village Perk
11 am: Fall Color Guided Tour
2 pm: Fall Color Guided Tour
3 pm: Costume Contest winners announced via social media

Sunday:
10 am – 4 pm: Pop-up plant vendors (Prism Gardens Nursery & Botanica)
10 am – 4 pm: Kids Scavenger Hunt
1 pm: Fall Color Guided Tour
3 pm: Costume Contest winners announced via social media

 

Costume Contest Rules:

Come dressed in your best autumn-themed attire, spooky outfit, or any fun and light-hearted costume to enter to win a garden prize!

Prizes:
Contest winners ages 18+ may choose from a prize of 4 free garden passes, or a $40 plant shop gift certificate.
Those age 18 and under will receive a fall goodie-bag full of treats!

Costume Categories:
• Scariest costume
• Funniest costume
• Most creative

*Please refrain from bringing any weapons or weapon-like objects into the garden that could harm yourselves or others. The safety of our visitors is our utmost priority.

How to enter:

  1. Take a photo(s) of yourself and/or your group at the RSBG Oct. 28 or 29.
  2. Post the photo(s) on Facebook or Instagram.
  3. Tag or mention @rhodygarden in your photos.

Visit Facebook.com/rhodygarden or Instagram.com/rhodygarden for contest announcements.

Rules:
Photos must be taken in the garden at the RSBG to be eligible for the contest. RSBG staff are happy to assist with taking photos.

Only one prize per individual/group will be awarded for ages 18+. Contest winners ages 18 and under will each receive a fall goodie-bag of treats.

For questions regarding the contest, please email info@rhodygarden.org.


Yeah! Click ICAL or Google Calendar to add to your calendar.
 

Location Map:
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