Special Events - Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Olbrich Special Events

Spring 2012 Summer Fall Winter Back to top

Olbrich's Spring FLOWER Show

March 10 - 25

10 am - 4 pm daily
Spring comes early at Olbrich each year as the horticulture staff transforms the Atrium into a blooming spring oasis.

Regional & International Tours

March 15

Spring Inspiration in Chicago - Travel to the Chicago Flower & Garden Show to see exquisite indoor gardens and vendors of garden-related products.

Bolz Conservatory Exhibit

Light Gaps - The rays of spring shine through newly trimmed trees for a special exhibit called Light Gaps in the tropical Bolz Conservatory at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

Primula Sale

March 25

9 am - 1 pm
Take home a rainbow of hardy primula (also know as primroses)!

Olbrich's Leaf Mulch Sale

Bagged & Bulk Mulch Available a Variety of Days!
Olbrich Leaf Mulch is made from leaves collected by the City of Madison that are delivered to Olbrich where they're composted outside during the winter.

Spring Pansy Sale

April 7

10 am
Celebrate spring with a cheery pansy, panola, or viola grown in Olbrich's own greenhouses.

Plant Sale with the pros

May 11, 11 am - 6 pm

May 12, 9 am - 3 pm

Olbrich's Plant Sale with the Pros brings together area experts ready to give advice on many different gardening topics. Pick their brains and get help selecting the best plants for your garden.

Mother's Day Concert

May 14

2 - 3 pm
Wander through flower gardens blooming with spring and enjoy a Mother's Day concert by the New Horizons Concert Band at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

Charitable Giving Seminar

May 17

10 am - 12 pm

This free presentation is open to the public and will cover the latest on estate, income, and gift taxes, as well as charitable IRA rollovers, trusts and gift annuities.

Summer 2012 Fall Winter Spring Back to top

Summer Concert Series

Tuesdays, June 26 - July 31

7 - 8 pm
Enjoy the summer evening with a concert on the Great Lawn of Olbrich's outdoor gardens.

guided garden strolls

Sundays, June - September

1:30 & 3 pm
Get an insider's view of Olbrich's outdoor gardens during a free guided garden stroll. All ages are welcome for this casual overview of the Gardens.

Rhapsody in Bloom

Saturday, June 16

5-10 pm
Dine in gorgeous summer gardens at Olbrich Botanical Gardens' Rhapsody in Bloom Benefit Gala.

Olbrich Home Garden Tour

Friday, July 13 & Saturday, July 14

10 am-4 pm 9 am-3 pm

Olbrich extends a special invitation to tour private gardens created and maintained by talented home gardeners.

Olbrich's Blooming Butterflies

July 18 - August 12

10 am-4 pm
Experience the magnificence of free-flying butterflies while strolling through the tropical Bolz Conservatory.

Bolz Conservatory Exhibit

August 13 - October 30
Integrated Pest Management - Learn about Olbrich's environmentally friendly pest control methods and get ideas you can use to reduce or eliminate pesticide use at home.

Fall 2012 Winter Spring Summer Back to top

guided garden strolls

Sundays, June - September

1:30 & 3 pm
Get an insider's view of Olbrich's outdoor gardens during a free guided garden stroll. All ages are welcome for this casual overview of the Gardens.

Quilts in Bloom

September 22 - October 14

10 am-4 pm daily
View fabulous displays of intricately stitched art quilts complemented by colorful fall foliage and flowers.

Olbrich's FALL Leaf Mulch Sale

September 22 & 29
October 6 & 13

Saturdays, 9 am-1 pm
Help your plants survive the winter with Olbrich's Leaf Mulch. Improve soil structure and maintain consistent soil temperatures during the winter to give your plants a head start this spring.

CRACkle - FIRE & FROTH in the Gardens

October 19

7 - 10 pm

Olbrich is pleased to introduce Crackle, an exciting new fall event at the Gardens! Watch the flames from bonfires dance on the Great Lawn, groove to the live music, and savor a variety of tasty food and Wisconsin brews.

Winter 2011-2012 Spring Summer Fall Back to top

Olbrich's Holiday Express

December 3-31

10 am-4 pm daily

(Closed at 2pm on December 24, closed all day on December 25)
Large-scale model trains wind through an enchanted land of colorful poinsettias and holiday trees.

Holiday Concert Series

Sunday afternoons in December

2 pm
A variety of music is highlighted including festive holiday music.

cocktails in the conservatory

Friday, January 27

8 - 10 pm
Stroll through Olbrich's Bolz Conservatory, sip a cocktail, and move to the beat of DJ Nick Nice.

Winter concert Series

Sunday afternoons in February and March

2 pm
A variety of music is highlighted such as Cajun dance music, blues and jazz, folk, honky-tonk, and much more.

Bolz Conservatory Exhibit

Through March 18

Treasures of the Rainforest - Discover everyday products from the rainforests and see the plants they come from up close!

Children of the Rainforest

January 28

Performances at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm
Samba 1 Brazilian Dance Group - Dancers, drummers, and costumes will bring the Amazon and Brazilian Mardi Gras to life! The Children of the Rainforest series offers performances for families to celebrate cultural differences in rainforest regions around the world .

Children of the Rainforest

February 18

Performances at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm
Hale O Malo Polynesian Dance Group - Be encanted by the rhythms of traditional Polynesian dancers, drummers, and instruments. The Children of the Rainforest series offers performances for families to celebrate cultural differences in rainforest regions around the world.

Indulgence! Wine and Chocolate Tasting

February 25

5:30 - 8:30 pm
Experience the warmth of the lush, tropical Bolz Conservatory filled with stunning tropical plants and the smell of exotic flowers. Add wine, chocolate, candlelight, and music to enjoy an elegant evening indulging all of your senses.