October is ArBOOretum month!
From October 1–31, celebrate fall at Morris ArBOOretum & Gardens with acres of colorful foliage and seasonal fun for the whole family.
Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a 92-acre public garden in Chestnut Hill, where plants, people, and place come together. From seasonal exhibitions to peaceful garden spaces, there’s always something new to explore.
Upcoming at the Morris
19th Annual Scarecrow Walk
Thursday, October 1–Sunday, November 1
Free with general admission
This Halloween, we're taking a trip through the 70s—any 70s! In honor of America's 250th anniversary, see scarecrows inspired by the 1770s, the 1970s, the 2070s, or any decade ending in "70" throughout history and beyond. Plus, vote for your favorite by October 18!
Fall First Friday for Kids and Families
Friday, October 2 • 11 am
Free with general admission
Spiders may seem scary, but they're an important part of our ecosystem! Would you like to be friends with spiders? We'll be reading I'm Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton and you can make your own spider friend to take home.
Experience the Unexpected
Saturday, October 3 – Sunday, October 4 • 10 am – 12 pm
Free with general admission
Join us this weekend as we celebrate October by making magical wands and potions from natural materials to take home with you. Free with general admission.
The Wetland: A Unique Ecosystem
Saturday, October 10 • 11 am
Free with general admission
This specialty tour investigates many native plants and trees in the Natural Areas near the Wissahickon Creek.
Plant Politics: Images, Knowledge, and Power
VIRTUAL
Tuesday, October 13 • 12 pm
Registration required
Join Tracy Qiu (Concordia University) and Catherine Seavitt (University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design) for an interactive lunchtime virtual conversation that explores how botanical knowledge is created, shared, and challenged.
October Storytime
Wednesday, October 21 • 10:30 am
Free with general admission
Join us for a spooky storytime where we will be reading The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams. Wear a costume and make your own scarecrow craft, just in time for Halloween!
Oaks of the Mid-Atlantic Tour
Saturday, October 24 • 11 am
Free with general admission
Join an experienced Garden Educator in discovering and identifying the Mid-Atlantic oaks in the Morris’s extensive collection.
Spooky Season Nature Crafts: All About Carnivorous Plants
Thursday, October 29 • 11 am
Free with general admission
Learn all about carnivorous plants this Halloween season, and make your own plant monster to take with you while you trick or treat. Costumes encouraged!
From Plate to Press: Print a Botanical Specimen Book
Thursday, October 29 • 2 pm
Registration is required
In this unique workshop with Common Press, we will print historic botanical letterpress printing plates using a portable letter press.
Botanical Pressure Prints with Ferns
Friday, November 6 • 1 pm
Registration is required
This special program will explore pressure printing, a method of making printing plates using low-relief botanical materials, using fern fronds collected from our Fernery.
Wild Philly
Saturday, November 7 • 10:30 am
Registration is required
Philly is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Presented by writer-naturalist Mike Weilbacher, this illustrated lecture is the perfect companion to Mike’s book by the same name, which he will be selling and signing after the lecture. Registration is required.
Garden Highlights
Weekends: 1 pm year round
Weekdays: 10:30 am
Free with general admission
Our knowledgeable guides will design a tour around the interests of the attendees. Every tour is different so come back as many times as you’d like.
Water shapes every landscape, sustains every ecosystem, and connects communities to the natural world. This year’s Tree Canopy Conference explores the vital relationship between trees and water, from the mechanics of tree physiology to the hydrologic history of our region and everything in between.
Fall 2026 Courses
Join us for an exciting lineup of courses, conferences, tours, and hands-on experiences designed to educate, inspire, and bring you closer to nature.