Hidden Lake Gardens : Events
FEBRUARY
ACA Exhibit: Rooting Around at Lindisfarne
Now - April 6, 2026 | 10:00 - 4:00 PM
Discover how creativity takes root in the natural world. In the fall of 2025, ACA members foraged the 80‑acre woodland of Lindisfarne Bridge in Tipton—gathering twigs, bark, stones, seeds, and other found materials much like earlier cultures once did for survival. But here, these natural elements fuel artistic expression.
Each work in Rooting Around at Lindisfarne incorporates materials gathered from the land, celebrating the diversity, texture, and spirit of the forest. The resulting pieces reveal how deeply art and nature intertwine when artists create directly from the world around them. Learn more on our Art Exhibitions page.
Dates & Hours:
Open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the Gallery of the Visitors Center
Closed on Mondays
MARCH
The Spring Flower Show
March 1 - 29, 2026 | 10:00 - 4:00 PM
Last Admission at 4:30 p.m.
Open for a special after-hours evening on Friday, March 27 until 7:00 p.m. with last admission at 6:30 p.m., featuring a special walk‑and‑talk program through the Conservatory, Forcing Bulbs for Indoor Blooms – How Does HLG Do It? Learn more on our Friday After Five page.
Admission to HLG includes full access to this dazzling celebration of spring along with all garden attractions, free to members of HLG. Immerse yourself in nature’s finest blooms and be part of our 100‑year story! Learn more at our Spring Flower Show page.
2026 GRCC Spring Kick-Off
Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Join the Grand‑Raisin Conservation Community to welcome the arrival of spring with our annual Spring Kick‑Off—held this year at YMCA Storer Camps at 6941 Stony Lake Rd, Jackson, MI 49201. Please note: This event is NOT being hosted at Hidden Lake Gardens in this year.
This gathering invites nature lovers, land stewards, and community members to come together for an afternoon of connection, learning, and outdoor exploration. Guests will enjoy GRCC updates, a featured conservation panel, and a guided Sense of Place walk through the scenic landscape of Storer Camps. Light refreshments will be provided.
Admission to YMCA Storer Camps is free for the day, and registration is highly encouraged.
Learn more and register at: https://stewardshipnetwork.org/event/grand-raisin-conservation-community-spring-kick-off-meeting/
Whether you are an experienced land steward or simply enjoy spending time outdoors, you are invited to join in celebrating the new season and connecting with fellow community members.
Volunteer Fair
Sunday, March 15, 2026 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Coffee & Connections
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 8:30 - 9:30 AM
Start your morning with great conversation, community connections, and a warm cup of coffee at Coffee & Connections, hosted in collaboration with the Irish Hills Regional Chamber of Commerce at Hidden Lake Gardens. This relaxed networking hour is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow business leaders, expand your professional circle, and learn more about Chamber resources.
Whether you're a long‑time member or considering joining, all are welcome to attend and enjoy a friendly, informal atmosphere surrounded by the natural beauty of HLG.
Special Bonus for All Attendees:
All participants will receive free admission to Hidden Lake Gardens for the day simply by attending the event. After Coffee & Connections, guests are invited to explore the grounds—including the Spring Flower Show, which should be in full bloom, as well as visitor favorites like the Sky Walk, hiking trails, and Conservatory attractions.
Admission:
- Free for IHRCC Members
- $10 for Potential Members
Friday After Five - Forcing Bulbs for Indoor Blooms: How Does HLG Do It?
Friday, March 27, 2026
Hidden Lake Gardens invites the public to experience the 2026 Spring Flower Show after hours with a special one-night extension on Friday, March 27. For this evening only, the gardens will remain open until 7:00 p.m., with last admission at 6:30 p.m., offering visitors an expanded opportunity to enjoy the vibrant seasonal displays.
From 5:30–6:30 p.m., guests are encouraged to join the featured walk‑and‑talk program, Forcing Bulbs for Indoor Blooms – How Does HLG Do It?, led by Managing Director Paul Pfeifer. This immersive experience will guide participants through the behind-the-scenes process of bulb forcing and provide a rare look into Conservatory areas not usually open to the public.
This extended-hours evening also kicks off the new Friday After Five series, during which Hidden Lake Gardens will stay open until 7:00 PM on one Friday each month from March through October. Each date will feature a unique educational program from 5:30–6:30 p.m. More details, dates, and monthly topics can be found on the Friday After Five page.
APRIL
Adopt-a-Highway Clean-up
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 9:15 - 11:15 AM
Children 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult
Dress for the weather, including closed-toe shoes/boots and work gloves.
Pants and long sleeves are highly recommended for protection.
MAY
Hidden Lake Gardens Annual Plant Sale
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 10 AM - 2 PM
Open to the Public: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. or until sold out
- Limited supply of pine needle bales for mulching
- Specially curated selections from Hidden Lake Gardens
JUNE
ACA Exhibit: Light and Form, VanBenschoten Retrospective
June 1 - July 19, 2026 | 10:00 - 4:00 PM
Shirley and Bryan VanBenschoten were instrumental in the establishment of the Adrian Center for the Arts, lending their vision and dedication to transform Studio One from a former office building into a thriving creative space. As president of the Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts (LCVA), Shirley helped guide the organization from having no physical home to a growing arts community with 55 acres and six buildings.
Following her passing this past year, the LCVA honors Shirley’s legacy with this special exhibition, featuring a selection of her paintings alongside Bryan’s ceramic works—celebrating two artists whose impact continues to shape the region’s creative landscape. Learn more on our Art Exhibitions page.
Dates & Hours:
Open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the Gallery of the Visitors Center
Closed on Mondays
JULY
Adopt-a-Highway Clean-up
Monday, July 20, 2026 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Children 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult
Dress for the weather, including closed-toe shoes/boots and work gloves.
Pants and long sleeves are highly recommended for protection.
ACA Exhibit: CompARTments
July 21 - September 27, 2026 | 10:00 - 4:00 PM
Explore the inventive world of assemblage art, where ACA artists transform found objects into three‑dimensional works of imagination. Inspired by pioneers like Joseph Cornell, Louise Nevelson, and Betye Saar, artists reimagine cast‑off boxes—metal, wood, plastic, clay, and more—by creating artworks in, on, and around these everyday forms.
CompARTments invites visitors to discover how ordinary materials gain new meaning when placed in the hands of artists who see potential in the overlooked and beauty in the unexpected. Learn more on our Art Exhibitions page.
Dates & Hours:
Open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the Gallery of the Visitors Center
Closed on Mondays
SEPTEMBER
RUN FOR THE HILLS! 5K and 1 Mile Run / Walk
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Start Time = 8 AM
The most scenic and hilliest course in southeast Michigan! Come enjoy a beautiful fall morning at Hidden Lake Gardens for the 16th Annual RUN FOR THE HILLS! 1 Mile & 5K Run or Walk along paved roads. Proceeds from the race will benefit Hidden Lake Gardens and Oh These Irish Hills! organization.
Learn more at our Run for the Hills! page.
Check back for race registration to open or contact us at hlg@msu.edu with questions.
Adopt-a-Highway Clean-up
Thursday, September 27, 2026 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Children 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult
Dress for the weather, including closed-toe shoes/boots and work gloves.
Pants and long sleeves are highly recommended for protection.
OCTOBER
Fall Fruit & Foliage Bonsai Exhibition
October 17 & 18, 2026
Experience the inaugural Fall Fruit & Foliage Bonsai Exhibition at Hidden Lake Gardens, presented in partnership with the North American Bonsai Federation (NABF). This special event will showcase outstanding bonsai from across the region, highlighting the beauty of fall color and fruiting varieties.
Guests will enjoy a curated exhibition featuring exceptional trees selected through a juried application process, celebrating both artistry and horticultural excellence. In addition to the displays, the event will include an opening ribbon-cutting ceremony, VIP reception, tea ceremony, educational presentations, on‑site vendors, auction, food and beverage offerings, and more.
Whether you're a lifelong bonsai artist or simply appreciate the craft, this exhibition invites you to explore the diverse styles, colors, and creativity that define fall fruiting and foliage bonsai.
Bonsai artists are invited to apply to have their work considered for display in the exhibition. The NABF aims to present the finest fall fruiting and/or fall‑color bonsai in North America, and applicants may submit up to two bonsai for juried review.
This is a wonderful opportunity for bonsai practitioners to share their artistry, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and be part of a signature new event at Hidden Lake Gardens.
Learn more at our Fall Fruit & Foliage Bonsai Exhibition page.
