If you’re looking for interesting fall events for your family look no further than the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. They are hosting several whimsical activities (scarecrows made of giant hay bales! glass pumpkins!), colorful autumn traditions (apples! all sorts of pumpkins!), and more (a sugar beet harvest!), all happening this fall at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska.
AppleHouse
Happening throughout August – October!
Celebrate Minnesota’s apple season at the Birthplace of the Honeycrisp at the Arboretum’s satellite destination AppleHouse, just 1.5 miles west of the main Arboretum grounds entrance. First Kiss apples — the earliest-ripening variety developed by the U of M — go on sale starting with the official opening on Aug. 21.
The AppleHouse is known for its locally grown apples, table grapes, pies, strudels, ciders and gourmet food items, offered from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. North Star Donuts food truck will serve up their famous hot apple cider mini donuts, cold cider slushies and cold-press coffees with fun fall flavors — every day except Mondays. When pumpkin season arrives around Oct. 1, the AppleHouse and surrounding lawn will offer more than 380 types of pumpkins, squash and gourds to choose from for holiday displays and cooking.
In November, the location turns into a Holiday Boutique with apples and squash for holiday baking. Parking and admission are free at the AppleHouse.
Find out more: https://arb.umn.edu/apple-
They also have new pumpkins, gourds and squash with more than 300 varieties to be sold this October at the AppleHouse.
Field Fest
Happening from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 12th
Experience the harvest season at the Farm at the Arb with this annual family-friendly festival, complete with hands-on harvesting sugarbeets, corn and potatoes; a beer garden and food trucks; live entertainment and activities for all ages. Afterward, take home your harvest — and a deeper knowledge of Minnesota agriculture.
Website: https://arb.umn.edu/fieldfest
Arb Glass Pumpkin Patch
Happening September 17 – 20
Shop or simply admire a selection of more than 5,000 glass pumpkins and glass garden art made by 12 award-winning, professional glass artists from across the U.S. Artists will chat with visitors about their work and offer free glass-blowing demonstrations daily, while running a furnace full of hot molten glass. Proceeds benefit the artists as well as the Arboretum.
Find out more: https://arb.umn.edu/auxiliary-
Scarecrows in the Garden
Happening September 18th – November 1st
This popular tradition of creative scarecrows adds a festive note to the Arboretum’s autumn displays on the Dahlberg Terrace and Scarecrow Hill. Check out the artistry of the experts from Bachman’s, Arboretum staff and members of the community. Giant hay bales, which will serve as some extra-extra-large “scarecrows” as part of this friendly competition. Vote for your favorite!
Website: https://arb.umn.edu/events/
Apple and pumpkin harvest at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Happening from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on October 3rd
Join us at the Farm at the Arb on Oct. 3 to celebrate the Apple and Pumpkin Harvest Day. Gather friends and family to spend a crisp autumn day at the farm and experience the bounty of the season through immersive, hands-on activities.
- Walk the orchard with an expert! Join apple researchers to learn about the remarkable apple varieties developed here in Minnesota, including the world-famous Honeycrisp, developed at the Arboretum’s Horticultural Research Center.
- Explore the pumpkin patch. Pick and take home a pumpkin of your own!
- Get crafty and taste-test. Try your hand at a pumpkin craft, then put your taste buds to work with an apple taste test featuring varieties grown right here on the farm.
- Savor the flavors of the harvest. Stop by the kitchen for a cooking demonstration with our Chefs Beth and Cheo! Seasonal dishes and tastings will feature apples from the farm’s harvest.
- Visit our activity stations. Engage with interactive STEM activities and creative workshops designed to inspire curiosity in visitors of all ages.
- Grab lunch and snacks from the Rootstock Pop-Up featuring CFANS sausages, pulled pork sandwiches, vegetable sandwiches, cold beverages, and snacks. Open from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Earn your pollinator pal badge. Embark on the Pollinator Quest, brought to you by Great River Energy’s Pollinator Strong initiative.
- Enjoy music and play games on the lawn. Relax and listen to music by Minnesota-based Americana band Traveled Ground and play family-friendly games on the lawn.
- Explore our Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center. Investigate the science behind Minnesota pollinators.
- Strike a pose with the giant pumpkins. Snap a photo with our show-stopping giant pumpkins!
Website: https://arb.umn.edu/events/apple-pumpkin-harvest
Pumpkin Palooza: A Record-Breaking Display
Throughout the month of October
Check out artful displays, including a Pumpkin Tree, Pumpkin Key identifying 400 varieties of pumpkin and squash grown by staff at the Arboretum’s Horticultural Research Center.
Find out more: https://arb.umn.edu/events/scarecrows-pumpkins-harvest
Full Moon Hikes
Happening September 26 & October 26
Delight in the full moon during after-hours hikes at the Arboretum! Experience the September Full Harvest Moon on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Delight in the full moon during after-hours hikes at the Arboretum! Experience the October Full Hunter’s Moon on Monday, Oct. 26 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
This fall, visitors can also shop the Arboretum’s Library Book Sale, Minnesota Herb Society Sale and Auxiliary Harvest Sale.
Website: https://arb.umn.edu/
More!
Beyond all the fall events , the Arboretum is a wonderland of nature with colorful annuals, perennials, vegetables putting on fabulous displays for casual observers and hardcore home horticulturalists alike. Fall color will soon be lighting up Three-Mile Walk and Three-Mile Drive, as well as miles of other walking trails and the gorgeous, newly enhanced Dog Commons. As I mentioned earlier, the Farm at the Arb has a new chef for its gorgeous, high-tech Kitchen Classroom and a new half-acre Foodscape to go with it!
Images Provided by Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is located at 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318.
