(KIRTLAND) April 29, 2025 – The Holden Arboretum kicks off the summer season with a new exhibit, Forest Forms, a calendar full of events, and gorgeous grounds for exploring. All season long, enjoy concerts in the forest, wine tastings, guided hikes, and so much more. 

PHOTOS – Forest Forms photos courtesy of Elemental Exhibitions. All other photos are courtesy of Holden Forests & Gardens 

FOREST FORMS OPENING MAY 10

Forest Forms: An artful exploration of nature’s lines, rhythm, and movement 

Embark on an enchanting journey through Forest Forms! Forest Forms is a traveling outdoor art exhibition that celebrates the beauty and harmony of the natural world. Artist Huelani Mei’s artistic journey begins with a simple sketch, capturing the essence of her vision. These sketches are then transformed into tiny maquettes, crafted from pencil steel and measuring just a few inches in size. Through meticulous refinement of lines and angles, Mei breathes life into her creations before bringing them to full-scale fabrication. Crafted from powder-coated steel in a style reminiscent of line drawing, 18 larger-than-life sculptures embody the essence of nature. Mei’s characters range in height from a whimsical five feet to a monumental 20 feet, making them a unique backdrop for photos. More information about the exhibit can be found here: https://www.elementalexhibitions.com/ 

Forest Forms is proudly sponsored by Fleet Response. 

EVENTS

Forest Forms: First Look

Get a first look at this year’s summer exhibit, Forest Forms, on Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. – noon. Forest Forms: First Look is a self-paced edible event that leads you through nine spectacular sculptures on the opening day of the exhibit. Registration for this tasty trek will include a boutique box of survival snacks and sweets along with a morning mimosa. Cost: $25 per adult, $20 per child. Registration for this special event closes on Monday, May 5.

Summer Concerts at the Holden Arboretum

Savor live music in a stunning natural setting, with delicious food, a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, while spending quality time with friends and family. New this year, VIP Packages are available for purchase and will include reserved seating with chairs and a bottle of wine. Off the GRIDdle food truck will be onsite, the Spice Grab and Go Café Cooler will be stocked, and libations will be available for purchase beginning at 5:30 p.m. Concerts will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 18: Cleveland Institute of Music’s Cleveland Wind Trio 

Wednesday, July 16: Roots of American Music featuring Apostle Jones 

Wednesday, August 6: Roots of American Music featuring Sam Hooper Group 

Apollo’s Fire Countryside Concerts, ¡HISPANIA! | Thursday – Sunday, June 5 – 8 

In this countryside version of ¡HISPANIA! led by Jeannette Sorrell, an 8-piece instrumental ensemble brings the music of Spanish composers Diego Ortiz, Gaspar Sanz, and Santiago de Murcia to life. Lively explosions of virtuosity abound, including a “Tarantella Double Violin Concerto” featuring Alan Choo and Emi Tanabe, and René Schiffer’s delightful “Tango Concerto for Two Violas da Gamba.” Registration for Apollo’s Fire Countryside Concerts. 

Wellness in the Woods | Wednesday, July 23, 6 – 8 p.m.

Reconnect with nature and yourself at Wellness in the Woods, a restorative evening of journaling, hiking, mindfulness, music, and refreshing mocktails under the trees. Cost: $35 per member, $45 per nonmember. 

Brews & Blooms | Friday, June 27, 6 – 8 p.m.

Enjoy a summer sampler event featuring a selection of summertime brews. During this tasting, learn about the flavor profile of your favorite and soon-to-be new favorite beers. Cost: $45 per member, $50 per nonmember.  

Notes of Nature Wine Tasting | Wednesday, August 20, 6 – 8 p.m.

Spend time in one of the Arboretum’s most beautiful gardens during golden hour. Enjoy wine tasting and food stations while taking in the breathtaking scenery. Cost: $75 per member, $85 per nonmember.  

Summer Campout

Experience the Arboretum after hours! Explore the great outdoors and sleep beneath the stars and trees. Check holdenfg.org for updates. Cost: $35 per member, $40 per nonmember. 

Holden Grown Plant Sale | Saturday, May 17 & Sunday, May 18

Whether you are trying to naturalize your landscape or enhance a corner of your garden, this event will offer exclusively Holden-grown plants, including over 80 species of native wildflowers, ornamental perennials, shrubs, and trees, including staff favorites and selections from our living collections including  rhododendrons, spicebush, milkweed, skullcap, wild senna, wild columbine, toad lily and many, many more! Visitors are encouraged to bring their own materials to transport their plants home. Holden Grown Plant Sale hours are Saturday, May 17 from noon – 4 p.m. (Special member hours: 9am-12pm) and Sunday, May 18 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Event included with general admission. Holden Grown Plant Sale catalog here.

WHAT’S IN BLOOM? 

Immerse yourself in the Rhododendron Discovery Garden to see stunning Rhododendrons and Azaleas that are now in bloom into June. See over 400 native plants in our Wildflower Garden which is filled with vibrant blooms all summer long. You can’t miss the fragrant lilacs in one of the arboretum’s most iconic attractions: TheDisplay Garden. The Holden Butterfly Garden is a haven for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds—not to mention the visitors who are drawn to its soothing tranquility. Two placid ponds are surrounded by a lush garden, filled with summer blooming plants that attract vital pollinators. Visit our Get Growing Blog to see what’s blooming each week. 

SUMMER FAVORITES

Kalberer Emergent Tower and Murch Canopy Walk 

Take your love of nature to new heights. The Emergent Tower is 12 stories tall and provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding area all the way to Lake Erie. The Murch Canopy Walk invites guests to enjoy an elevated walk, 65 feet above the forest floor. Immerse yourself in and above nature for a unique, summer perspective. Structures are open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and entry is included in general admission. 

Buckeye Bud’s Adventure Woods

Buckeye Bud’s is a wonderfully whimsical playground where kids can hop, jump, and limbo their way through the balance logs, put on a performance at the Nature Theater, or play a game or two of tic tac toe. Search for frogs and turtles in nearby Buttonbush Bog from new heights atop our observation tower. 

Tram Tours

Sit back and tour the Holden Arboretum in a new way! These 45-minute tours will give guests an overview of the grounds and gardens with a focus on seasonal highlights. You’ll also learn a little history and get a sneak peek into some of the scientific work that happens behind the scenes. Private tram tours are also available for social, community, and corporate groups. Tram Tour schedule, ticket pricing, and FAQs.

CLASSES

For the Love of Peonies – Tuesday, May 13 from 1 – 2 p.m.: Known as the Queen of Flowers, peonies are striking additions to a garden space. Join a Horticulturist on a leisurely afternoon stroll around our Main Display Garden to observe our peonies in bloom. We’ll go over the different types of peonies and learn about the best practices for planting and caring for your peonies at home. Cost: $5 per member, $20 per nonmember. For the Love of Peonies Registration. 

Intro to Zen Meditation – Saturday, May 31 from 9 – 10:30 am: Practice guided Zen meditation in a beautiful, natural setting. Join us to go beyond the mindfulness trend and learn this practical approach to managing our attention and corralling our minds, creating more joy and peace in our lives by learning to be fully present. And what better place to learn than in the natural world, of which we are a significant part? While background information and history of the meditation practice will be offered, the focus will be on experiencing the practice itself in ways that fit all ages and body types (no need to worry about getting on the ground into full lotus!). There will be chairs and cushions as needed. Cost: $25 per member, $35 per nonmember. Intro to Zen Meditation Registration. 

Firefly Foray – Saturday, June 21 from 8 – 11 p.m.: Did you know that Ohio is home to more than twenty species of fireflies? While we are familiar with the variety that lights up our lawns, there are so many more to be seen. Join Cleveland Metroparks Naturalist and firefly enthusiast Carly Martin as we take in the wonder of firefly diversity in a search for several different species. We’ll start off indoors with fun facts and identification techniques, then hit the trails and the Canopy Walk to explore different habitats in the increasing darkness. If we’re lucky, we’ll finish off the night by seeing a local population of synchronizing fireflies. Age: Adult, teens 13 & over with adult. The length of this hike and its educational content are not designed for children. Cost: $30 per member, $40 per nonmember. Firefly Foray Registration. 

Additional summer classes can be found here. 

HAVE A PICNIC with SPICE GRAB AND GO CAFÉ COOLER

Fuel your forest + garden adventure from our Spice Grab + Go Café Cooler! Colorful, crave-able, nutrient-dense meals and snacks from Chef Ben Bebenroth and the team at Spice Hospitality Group are back for the sunny season. Stop by the Corning Visitor Center to grab a satisfying bowl or wrap, healthy snack, or beverage from our convenient self-serve cooler. Enjoy your picks in a beloved spot on our grounds for a Spiced-up picnic! Fresh salads and snacks from Spice Grab + Go Café Cooler are available Wednesday-Sunday while supplies last during Arboretum opening hours.

HOURS & ADMISSON

The Holden Arboretum is open Tuesday –Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is$20 per adult and $14 per child ages three to 12 (free for children two and under). Admission is free for Holden Forests & Gardens members. Tickets can be purchased in person or online at holdenfg.org.

About the Holden Arboretum and Holden Forests & Gardens

The Holden Arboretum, located east of Cleveland in Kirtland, Ohio, sprawls over an enchanting expanse of 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. Holden Forests & Gardens is making a positive impact through urban greening and forestry initiatives, environmental research, educational programs, and world-class visitor experiences at its two campuses. For more information, visit holdenfg.org.