Autumn at the Arboretum

Holden Arboretum kicks off the fall season with a new exhibit, Skeleton Grove, featuring nearly a dozen 10- to 12-foot-tall skeletons decorated by local artists, and will keep the autumn fun rolling with the familiar favorite, Fall Forest Fest. The season includes special hikes, family activities and plenty of extraordinary autumn colors throughout the arboretum’s expansive grounds.

Purchase tickets here.

Nature will come alive in the most unexpected way this fall. Wander through Skeleton Grove at the Holden Arboretum, where ten artist-designed skeletons ranging in height from 10 to 12 feet strike playful poses among vibrant fall foliage. Guests can find these towering pieces throughout the Main Display Garden and in front of the Corning Visitor Center. Skeleton Grove is equal parts spooky and spectacular! This exhibit is included with admission.

Stop in on opening day from 10 a.m. – noon to meet the local artists behind this year’s exhibit. Visitors can stroll through the Main Display Garden while they will learn more about the inspiration behind these playful skeleton scenes. Included with admission.

The Holden Arboretum will be a top spot to view fall colors. The arboretum will keep its color thermometer updated daily and feature the trees and plants showcasing their fall color best as the season progresses. Visit holdenfg.org for Color Watch updates.

Enjoy festival feels at the Arboretum with marshmallow roasting, food trucks, crafts, and garden games. Check out our Spooky Science Lab to discover how weird and wild plants can be. New this year, get tickets for family-friendly mini tram tours so the whole family can see Skeleton Grove! Enjoy a variety of alcoholic (Saturday only) and non-alcoholic drinks for purchase.

Appreciate the beauty of fall color by learning about leaf and tree identification at the Holden Arboretum! Pick up a brochure at the Corning Visitor Center and follow the Leaf Trail, an immersive autumn leaf identification activity. Learn how to identify the trees around you by collecting leaves and organizing them by their characteristics, as well as identifying 26 deciduous trees, including tulip trees, dawn redwoods, and pawpaws, marked with numbered tags on the grounds. Included with admission.

A cozy winter marketplace — indoors. Guests are invited to browse seasonal selections from a curated group of local artisans while enjoying the warmth of a roaring fire. A variety of beverages will be available for purchase, including alcoholic options on Saturday only, as well as non-alcoholic offerings. This nature-inspired marketplace experience is included with admission.

Experience fall color from a new perspective at the Arboretum. The Emergent Tower is 120 feet or approximately 12 stories tall and provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding area, all the way to Lake Erie. The tower is open 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until the end of October. Through November, it is open weekends only (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Free with admission.

Immerse yourself among the warm autumn hues with the Murch Canopy Walk. The Canopy Walk invites guests to stroll along a 500-foot-long elevated walkway that rises 65 feet above the forest floor. Walk amongst the treetops; it is the best place to see Instagram-worthy fall foliage. The walk is open 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until the end of October. Through November, it is open weekends only (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Free with admission.

Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fall is perfect for fungi. Join us at the Long Science Center for a day dedicated to wild mushrooms and other fungi. We will start with an orientation to mushroom forays, then divide into small groups to search for fungi in Holden’s natural areas. We will reconvene in the afternoon to identify our findings with the help of field guides and experienced mycologists from Holden and the Ohio Mushroom Society. Cost: $30 per member, $40 per nonmember. Fall Foray Registration

Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Challenge yourself with a morning hike on our newest trails! Join Holden Arboretum staff for a challenging hike through the stunning forest ecosystems of the Pierson Creek Valley. This woodland area was closed to the public for years before opening with newly imagined trails in Fall 2024 thanks to our hardworking trail crew and volunteers. Age: Adult, teens 16 & over with adult. Cost $10 per member, $20 per nonmember. Pierson Creek Hike Registration.

Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1 – 4:30 p.m., Unwind with a beginner-friendly afternoon of art at Holden Arboretum. Local artist M.E. Kuzma will guide participants through acrylic painting techniques while highlighting the benefits of creative engagement and mindfulness. Enjoy a drink, light refreshments, and fun conversation as you complete a beautiful painting (16×20″ canvas) to take home. Cost: $48 per member, $63 per nonmember. Art with Heart Registration.

The Holden Arboretum is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and closed to the public on Mondays, except on Monday, October 13, 20 and 27 when the Arboretum will be open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is $21 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 – 12 and free for Holden Forests & Gardens members.

The Holden Arboretum, located east of Cleveland in Kirtland, Ohio, sprawls over land in Lake and Geauga Counties and offers gardens, trails, lakes and meadows. The Holden Arboretum is part of Holden Forests & Gardens along with the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland’s University Circle cultural district. For more information, visit holdenfg.org.