We ask that all guests visit the Conservatory only with members of their immediate households, reserve tickets before visiting, and wear face coverings indoors and outdoors.

Skip to content

Holiday Brochure

Holidays At The Conservatory

Did something catch your eye in the Holiday Brochure? Find more information here.

Read The Full Brochure

Visitor Experience

Health & Safety Procedures illuminated-children-garden-entrance We are maintaining additional health and safety procedures and continuing to prioritize the health of our community. Our visitors continue to show tremendous support and appreciation for these procedures. It’s for this reason that the Conservatory can remain open and a safe place for all to enjoy the beauty of nature.

 Know Before You Go
Ticketing family-enjoying-conservatory-aglow All guests, including members, must reserve their tickets online before their visit.

 Buy Tickets
Face Coverings staff-members-wearing-face-coverings In accordance with state and local mandates, face coverings are required for both indoor and outdoor experiences. Exceptions will be made for children under the age of 6 and individuals
with medical exemptions.

While eating, diners must wear face coverings unless actively eating and remain in designated dining areas.

 Masks available for $1 at front entrance
Memberships purple-and-white-holiday-lights Please make all membership purchases or renewals online before your visit.

 Join Or Renew
Vulnerable Population Hours stairs-leading-to-the-palm-house Every Thursday, the Conservatory will open at 9am for guests with high-risk considerations, such as seniors or individuals with compromised immune systems.

 Buy Tickets

Exhibitions

November 14 to January 10 Holiday Blooms poinsettia-tree-in-showhouse The Conservatory halls have been decked out and the plant collections are blooming with holiday spirit! Holiday Blooms is the Conservatory’s newly imagined holiday horticulture exhibition. Visitors can spend the season amidst extravagantly themed holiday vignettes featuring hundreds of colorful, unique poinsettias and the famous 10’ poinsettia tree.

 Included With General Admission & Special Engagements Holiday Blooms Exhibition
November 14 to January 10 Conservatory Aglow parent-and-child-walking-through-rainbow-tunnel Each evening the gardens will be illuminated by a wonderland of lights and transform into a magical holiday spectacle. The grounds during Conservatory Aglow look absolutely stunning, don’t miss your chance to see them illuminated by thousands of lights.

 Special Engagement Admission Rates Apply Conservatory Aglow Exhibition
Through January 10 Paul Busse Garden Railway garden-railway-and-holiday-decorations Paul Busse Garden Railway, located in the Grand Mallway, is now a holiday destination! Nine model trains travel through four unique botanical themes which have been decorated with glowing lights.

 Included With General Admission & Special Engagements Paul Busse Garden Railway Exhibition
December 1 To December 31 Gingerbread House Display Central Ohio’s culinary creativity is on display in the Grand Atrium as the annual gingerbread house display returns to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This year’s theme is “Inspired by the Conservatory” in honor of the 125th anniversaries of the John F. Wolfe Palm House and Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. Peruse these delectable delights and vote for Best of Show.

 Included With General Admission & Special Engagements Gingerbread House Display
On Permanent Display Chihuly Collection details-of-chihuly-ceiling The Conservatory owns 19 installations of breathtaking Chihuly glass artwork, the largest private collection on display in a botanical garden. The colorful glass artwork is placed throughout the interior biomes and plant collections creating dynamic scenes that highlight the connection between art and nature.

 Included With General Admission & Special Engagements Chihuly Collection Exhibition
Coming Early 2021 Early next year, a beloved exhibition returns to bring the beauty of ornate orchids to the Conservatory. Local artist Lea Gray will also display her artwork in the Cardinal Health Gallery.

Orchids
January 23 - March 7, 2021

Lea Grey
January 23 - May 9, 2021

Subscribe to our newsletter and follow our social media to get the latest updates.

Events

November 16–18, 5-9pm Conservatory Aglow Member Preview Nights parent-and-child-walking-through-conservatory-aglow Members will have Special Engagement admission waived. Reserving an arrival time is still required and should be done online before arrival.

 Make A Reservation
Pre-order by November 20, Pick up November 27-28 Graham Cracker Gingerbread Kit graham-cracker-gingerbread Just because we can’t build graham cracker gingerbread houses on site this year, doesn’t mean it can’t still be a family tradition! Graham cracker gingerbread house supplies will be available in convenient take home kits, making it easy for you to continue this family tradition at home.

 Pre-Order
November 21-December 5 Sweet Turkeys turkey-made-from-sweets Three activities to inspire an afternoon of Thanksgiving fun at home. The virtual experience will be free for all! Learn More
Drop Off November 28-29 14th Annual Gingerbread House Competition colorful-gingerbread-houses Need a fun family project for home? Register now for the Conservatory’s 14th annual Gingerbread Competition! This year’s theme, as we celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the John F. Wolfe Palm House and Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse, will be “Inspired by the Conservatory.”

 Join The Competition
December 5, 2-3pm Holiday Blooms Entertainment: Promusica Quartet band-performing-in-showhouse This string quartet from the Columbus Promusica Chamber Orchestra will play both traditional and contemporary holiday music.


 Included in General Admission Learn More
December 12, 2-3pm Holiday Blooms Entertainment: Clemens & Elliott band-performing-in-showhouse Clemens & Elliott is an acoustic duo composed of Eric Clemens and Kristen Elliott, two incredibly versatile Columbus musicians who play music with a unique blend of influences from blues rock to folk.


 Included in General Admission Learn More
December 19, 2-3pm Holiday Blooms Entertainment: Four Harmony's Sake band-performing-in-showhouse Four Harmony's Sake is an all women’s a cappella barbershop quartet. Included in General Admission Learn More
Now Booking Host Your Event Here couple-kissing-during-wedding Host a small, intimate ceremony at the Conservatory. The botanical gardens look beautiful all year round and are a lovely setting to celebrate with close family and friends before the year ends. Prime dates are still available for ceremonies and receptions in 2020 and 2021.

614-715-8100 | eventsales@fpconservatory.org
Now Booking Proposals proposal-in-palm-house Looking to propose to a loved one this holiday season? Contact our team for more details.

614-715-8100 | eventsales@fpconservatory.org

Education & Programs

New For The 2020-2021 School Year Virtual Field Trips educator-teaching-on-laptop Calling all educators: the Conservatory is an ideal learning environment to engage with your students this year. Our virtual field trip experience can now be brought to your classroom!

 Learn More
In Person & Virtual Offerings Take A Class plant-material-on-table-for-craft A class with the Conservatory is a festive way to learn something new this season. Classes range from winter gardening and floral arrangements to holiday decorating and self-care.

 View The Calendar

Check Off You Gift List At The Conservatory

Give The Gift Of Membership Membership pink-blossoms-in-front-of-palm-house This gift includes a year of memorable experiences! Children and adults of all ages and interests can enjoy the many benefits of membership, including a year of free admission to daytime exhibitions, discounts at Botanica Gift Shop & Greenhouse and Garden Café, special member events and more!

 Membership Page
Give A Gift From The Gift Shop And Greenhouse Botanica Gift Shop & Greenhouse cardinal-ornament-on-pine-tree Make light work of your gift list at our award-winning gift shop! Products include home and garden decor, books, toys, jewelry, accessories and more.

Jewelry Sale: November 14-15
Black Friday Special: November 27
Happy Hannukah Sale: December 6

 Botanica Gift Shop & Greenhouse Page
Give An Experience Gift Cards white-poinsettias Conservatory gift cards, available at the Visitor Center, make easy and thoughtful gifts. Recipients can use these gift cards for admission, membership, classes and at Botanica and the Garden Café.

614-715-8000 | visitorservices@fpconservatory.org

Contact Us To Purchase
Give The Gift Of Goodwill Donations holiday-blooms-decorations For the person who has everything or is hard to shop for, consider a gift that gives twice. By making a gift in their name, you can honor them while directly funding programs like the Conservatory’s children and adult education series, outreach initiatives to make the Conservatory more accessible to all in our community, and beautiful natural displays.

 Donations Page

Get Involved With The Conservatory

Volunteer star-on-top-of-whirly-tree Volunteers generously bring their time, talents, enthusiasm and energy to the Conservatory. Volunteering opportunities are available for individuals and groups on a weekly, monthly, seasonally or on a one-time basis.

 Learn More
Follow the Conservatory ornament-trees-and-traditional-trees Our social media accounts can be found using the tag @FPconservatory.

 Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Subscribe to the Newsletter The weekly newsletter shares the latest on upcoming exhibitions, events, and classes.

 Subscribe

Stay Connected

Join our email list to get exclusive offers and updates on Conservatory events