Birthday Parties
Holden Arboretum
Make this year the best birthday yet for your little nature lover by hosting a party at The Holden Arboretum. Kids and adults alike will love celebrating on the beautiful arboretum grounds and enjoy a guided hike from our education staff. Birthday parties at Holden Arboretum are designed for children ages 6-12 due to the included education hike.
Fill out request formWhen
Saturdays from 10:30-1:30 or Sundays from 9:30-12:30 or 1:30-4:30. Reservations must be made at least two weeks before the party date.
Hours
A 3-hour room rental beginning at the reserved time. This allows for a 30-minute setup/cleanup and a 2-hour party. Guests are welcome to come before their time starting at 9 am or stay after the room rental has expired and enjoy the arboretum until 5 pm, but you may only use the room during your reserved time.
Capacity
There is a maximum of 25 participants (including adults) per party. Pricing listed includes up to 15 people with the cost for additional guests listed below. Children under the age of 2 years are welcome free of charge but must be included in the participant count.
Pricing
$375 (member) $425 (non-member) for up to 15 guests (including adults and children under 2). Each additional guest is $8 per person. Maximum total attendance is 25 people. Children under the age of 2 years are welcome to attend free of charge but must be included in the participant count. 50% of rental fee due at time of booking, balance due 1 week prior to event date. Fees are non-refundable once received by Holden Arboretum. Fee includes hike for 15 guests ages 6 and up, additional fee will apply if hiking guests exceeds 15 guests.
What’s included:
- A 3-hour rental space beginning at the reserved time. This allows for a 30-minute setup/cleanup and a 2-hour party. Guests are welcome to come before their time starting at 9 am or stay after the space rental has expired and enjoy the arboretum until 5 pm, but you may only use the rented space during your reserved time.
- Admission to the Arboretum for the entire day for all party guests.
- An hour-long hike led by Arboretum staff
- Access to the Canopy Walk & Emergent Tower and Buckeye Bud’s Adventure Woods play area
- Picnic tables or tables/chairs (pending location), and trash receptacles.
What you provide:
Food & Drinks – No refrigeration provided. No alcoholic beverages are permitted
Utensils & tablecloths (trash receptacles provided) – We encourage sustainability. Please keep single-use plastics to a minimum.
Decorations – Table decorations are highly encouraged. Please use string/ribbon to attach décor – no adhesives. Absolutely no confetti, glitter, or balloons allow
Example Party Timeline:
10:30-11:00 am – Party Set Up
11:00-11:15 am – Guests Arrive
11:15 am-12:15 pm – Guided Hike
12:15-1:00 pm – Food, Presents, Cake
1:00-1:30 pm – Party Clean Up
1:30-anytime until 5 pm – Arboretum Exploration, Canopy Walk & Tower, Buckeye Bud’s Adventure Woods
Birthday Party FAQ
Let’s get to the root of our most commonly-asked questions.
Can adults who are not attending the party explore the arboretum after dropping off their child?
Yes, they will simply pay regular admission at the gate upon arrival.
The person with the membership must be the one to book the party and make arrangements.
What if other children and their parents are members? Do we still have to pay for them?
Yes. If an adult and/or child attends the party (in the room and participates in the activities), they are included in the final count. If they do not attend the party and are members, they may use their membership to enjoy the arboretum while the party takes place.
Can I hire additional entertainment?
Yes, however, it is not recommended due to the limited party time available. Balloons are strictly prohibited so a balloon artist would also be prohibited. Pinatas are also not permitted.
Parties are staged rain or shine. Come dressed for the weather. Staff will assist guests in seeking appropriate shelter in the event of a thunderstorm.Weather cancellations will be decided by Holden Arboretum staff only, and only in extreme conditions such as blizzard or tornado. In cases of extreme weather, parties may be rescheduled. Refunds will only be made if party is cancelled by Holden Arboretum.
I need to cancel or reschedule – is there a fee?
Parties are staged rain or shine. Come dressed for the weather. There is no fee to reschedule your party. Cancellations will result in a forfeit of all fees paid unless the party is cancelled by the Holden Arboretum.
Where should I and my guests check in?
When arriving, please check in with the guest services representative at the gate. Give the name of the party and park in our visitor parking lot. Parties in the Shelter House picnic pavilion will have signs from the parking lot directing guests to the Shelter House. If the party will be in the Visitor’s Center, please go into the visitor’s center and look for the “Closed for Private Event” sign outside the room. If you or your guests cannot find the rental space, please ask one of our friendly guest services representatives inside the visitor center, and they will be happy to help.
Discounted birthday parties are one of the many benefits of a family membership at The Holden Arboretum. If you are not a member but would like to become one, you can purchase a membership online, in-person when you come to visit, or by calling the Guest Services desk at (440) 946-4400.
