norfolkbg

Sunset Kayaking
2026-08-04 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-06 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-11 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-13 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-18 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-20 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-25 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-27 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Enjoy a relaxing paddle on Lake Whitehurst with experienced guides. No experience necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I bring my own kayak?
No, we do not allow guests to bring their own equipment. We partner with Tula Paddle Sports, they will supply all of the equipment needed.
Is the price per person?
Yes, kayaking is $50/person for members and $65/person for not-yet-members.
Is there an age limit?
Yes, we allow children 10 and up, as long as they are in a double kayak with a parent or guardian.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations 5 or more business days prior to the program state date: refund, less 20% processing fee. Cancellations 1-4 business days prior to the program state date: No refund. $50 ($65 for not-yet-members)
Register Online

Wednesday Morning Yoga (4-Week Class)
2026-08-05 09:30 - 10:30
Looking for a fantastic yoga instructor and convenient yoga classes? NBG offers yoga classes to fit your schedule, taught by experienced instructor, Carly Joelle. Discover the multitude of health benefits that can be gained from this low impact relaxing exercise during this four week course. Join us and learn how you can increase your strength, flexibility, posture and energy! The instructor will lead you through a series of stretches, positions and deep breath work. Preregistration required.
This is a four week course that meets on Wednesdays, August 5-August 26 from 9:30-10:30 AM. $50 ($65 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Salvia Walk & Talk
2026-08-05 10:00 - 11:30
These casual informative walks allow plenty of time for questions and photos. Outdoor program with moderate walking, weather permitting. Mobility scooters available upon request-call to reserve when registering.
Please meet in the Baker Hall Visitor Center.
Space limited; pre-registration required. $5 per person; garden admission required. Register Online

Jr Garden Artists: Picnic Plates
2026-08-08 10:00 - 11:00
Paint the perfect set of plates to take on your summer picnics! Program includes two 7-inch ceramic plates. Recommended for children ages 4+ with some chaperone assistance. All attending adults and children are required to have a registered ticket.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
All participating children must have a paid, pre-registered ticket to attend the program.
Attending adults must have a registered ticket, including all free Member adult tickets.
Dressing for the weather and wearing comfortable walk shoes are encouraged.
Tickets must be pre-registered. Walk-up tickets may not be available.
Program tickets include Garden admission.
Price for NBG Members: $14/Child (Adult members may attend for free with a registered child).
Price for Not-yet Members: $22/Child and $20/Adult (Tickets for class must be purchased for both children and adults and includes daytime admission to NBG).
All participants ages 3+ must have a registered ticket to participate. Any child under 3 who will participate in the program must have a registered child ticket.

Subtropical Garden Walk & Talk
2026-08-11 10:00 - 11:00

SOLD OUT Tropical Centerpiece
2026-08-11 13:00 - 14:30
This class is sold out. To be added to the waitlist please email registrar@nbgs.org.
Create a beautiful centerpiece to enjoy. All supplies included. $70 ($85 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Fairy & Gnome Summer Homes
2026-08-13 10:00 - 11:00
Make the perfect miniature summer home for the fairies and gnomes in your garden! Each fairy garden includes an air plant! Recommended for ages 5+ with some chaperone assistance. Due to the use of small decorative items for the fairy gardens, it is recommended that no children under 5 years old participate. All attending adults and children are required to have a registered ticket.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
All participating children must have a paid, pre-registered ticket to attend the program.
All attending adults must have a registered ticket, including all free Member adult tickets.
Dressing for the weather and wearing comfortable walk shoes are encouraged.
Walk-up tickets the day of the program may not be available.
Program tickets include Garden admission.
Price for NBG Members: $14/child. Adult members may attend for free with a registered child.
Price for Not-yet Members: $22/child and $20/adult. Tickets for class must be purchased for both children and adults and includes daytime admission to NBG.
Children under 3 years old are not required to have a ticket; however, a ticket must be registered if children under 3 years old are participating in the program.

Invasive Plant Management
2026-08-14 10:00 - 12:00
What is an invasive plant? Do you recognize these invasive plants? How do you get rid of them? Dr. Laurie Fox with Virginia Tech will answer all these questions and more in her presentation on managing these difficult plants in our landscapes. $20 ($25 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Family Twilight Trek - Possum Night
2026-08-14 19:30 - 21:00
Meet staff in the WOW Children’s Garden to learn about the behavior and diets of the Virginia opossum before going on an exclusive, after-hours sunset tour of the Garden! Recommended for children ages 3+ with caregiver participation. All attending adults and children are required to have registered tickets.
Moderate walking required – program includes an approximately 1 mile walk through the Garden.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
All participating children must have a paid, pre-registered ticket to attend the program.
All attending adults must have a paid, pre-registered ticket.
Dressing for the weather and wearing comfortable walking shoes are encouraged.
Walk-up tickets the day of the class or program will not be available.
Check-in for the program takes place in the WOW Children’s Garden.
Price for NBG Members: $12/child and $5/adult.
Price for Not-yet Members: $20/child and $16/adult (tickets for class must be purchased for both children and adults and includes daytime admission to NBG).
All participating children ages 3-17 and attending adults must have a paid, pre-registered ticket for the program. If children 2 and under are participating in the program, they must have a registered child ticket.

Still Life Drawing and Painting
2026-08-15 09:30 - 12:30
Summer is a perfect time to observe nature. Students will be asked to bring a specimen from nature- bloom, leaf, shell, plant with which to observe with sighting tools and draw with pencil and pens. $75 ($85 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Branch Loom Workshop
2026-08-15 09:30 - 12:30
Branch out and create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind nature-inspired woven art piece. In this workshop we’ll be taking mother Natures’ bounty of abundant natural elements such as Y-shaped branches, twigs, colorful yarns and strings, various lichens, mosses, feathers, and shells to customize and make your art piece flourish. Supplies are included but feel free to bring any items of your own to add to your branch loom. $35 ($45 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Jam, Jelly, and Canning 101
2026-08-15 10:00 - 12:00
Learn the basic fundamentals of canning as you make and take home your own jars of pepper jelly. You’ll learn various skills and techniques to take your jelly from basic to the high-end bistro sandwich. We will be sampling foods that compliment pepper jelly recipe so save room for snacks. $45 ($55 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Honey Bee Festival
2026-08-15 10:00 - 16:00
Join Norfolk Botanical Garden for The Honeybee Festival in partnership with Beekeepers Guild of Southeast Virginia !
This event will take place at our Baker Hall Visitor Center from 10AM to 4PM. Attendees can enjoy local vendors, learn all about Honeybees and see our active onsite hives. Beekeepers Guild of Southeast Virginia is a local non-profit organization serving Hampton Roads beekeepers. It offers education, a mentorship program, and community outreach for hobbyists and professionals. Monthly meetings feature guest speakers, and the guild coordinates swarm removals and starter hive programs. Norfolk Botanical Garden (voted #3 Best Botanical Garden in the U.S. through Newsweek) represents an oasis of more than 65 themed gardens encompassing 175 beautiful acres. The Garden is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, recognized as a Virginia Historic Landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Virginia Green attraction. It is managed by Norfolk Botanical Garden, Inc. and supported by the City of Norfolk. The mission of Norfolk Botanical Garden is to immerse visitors in a world of beauty, lead through environmental action and inspire through education and connection to nature.

Knitting with Beads
2026-08-18 18:00 - 20:00
In this class, students will get an introduction to embellishing knit projects with beads. Experiment with several methods for placing beads while creating a mini project. This class is designed for students that already know the basics of knitting. Prerequisite: Knit 102/Learn to Knit Series or students should be able to independently work both knit & purl stitches. All supplies included. $45 ($55 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Dinosaurs in the Garden
2026-08-20 10:00 - 11:30
Join us in the WOW Children’s Garden to learn about the dinosaur plants and animals who live in the Garden, then make your own dinosaur terrarium to take home. Each dinosaur terrarium includes an air plant! Recommended for children ages 8+ with some chaperone assistance. Moderate walking required.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Dinosaurs in the Garden is strictly recommended for children 8+ due to the extensive content topics included in the class.
All participating children must have a paid, pre-registered ticket to attend the program.
All attending adults must have a registered ticket, including all free Member adult tickets.
Dressing for the weather and wearing comfortable walk shoes are encouraged.
Walk-up tickets the day of the class may not be available.
Program tickets include Garden admission.
Price for NBG Members: $14/child. Adult members may attend for free with a registered child.
Price for Not-yet Members: $22/child and $20/adult. Tickets for class must be purchased for both children and adults and includes daytime admission to NBG.

Owl Prowl
2026-08-20 19:00 - 21:00
Join us for a guided tour of the Garden in search of these magnificent night hunters–after meeting them in person! Walking required. $25 ($35 for not-yet-members)
Register Online

Plant Propagation
2026-08-21 10:00 - 12:00
Ever wish you could make more of your favorite plants—for free? Welcome to the magic of plant propagation! In this hands-on talk, we’ll dig into the basics of making new plants from seeds, cuttings, divisions, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious beginner, you’ll learn simple, practical techniques to multiply your plants and grow your garden. $20 ($25 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Beginning Beekeeping (3-Week Class)
2026-08-25 18:30 - 20:30
Learn about bee biology, equipment and management before you start you own beehive!
This is a 3-week class that meets on Tuesdays, August 25, September 1, and September 8 from 6:30-8:30 PM. $50 ($65 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Meadow Walk & Talk
2026-08-27 10:00 - 11:30
These casual informative walks allow plenty of time for questions and photos. Outdoor program with moderate walking, weather permitting. Mobility scooters available upon request-call to reserve when registering. Space limited; pre-registration required. $5 per person; garden admission required. Register Online

SOLD OUT Bespoke Arrangement
2026-08-27 13:00 - 14:30
This class is sold out. To be added to the waitlist please email registrar@nbgs.org.
Create a beautiful centerpiece to enjoy. All supplies included. $65 ($80 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Garden Stars
2026-08-27 20:30 - 22:00
Come out for an evening under the stars with the Back Bay Astronomers and their powerful telescopes. Walking required. $10 ($20 for not-yet-members) Register Online

Setting up Young Trees for Success: A Guide to Structural Pruning
2026-08-28 10:00 - 12:00
In many landscapes, tree pruning is often a reactive process where trees are pruned only after they start to interfere with traffic, structures, utilities, or pose an unacceptable level of risk due to decay or structural defects. Much of this can be prevented or mitigated through proper pruning. Structural pruning in particular focuses on training young trees to have a strong structure beforehand. By focusing on future branch placement and structure while a tree is young, we can train trees to be stronger and healthier while avoiding conflict with structures or clearance requirements. Attendees will learn proper pruning techniques for everyday gardening as well as the specifics behind structural pruning. Indoor presentation followed by an outdoor tour. Walking required. $20 ($25 for not-yet-members) Register Online

WOW End of Summer Celebration!
2026-08-28 19:00 - 20:30
Join us to celebrate 20 years of the WOW Children’s Garden by completing crafts, games, and other activities. Make sure to come out early to play in the splash fountains! Recommended for ages 3+ with some chaperone assistance. Moderate walking required. All child and adult participants must have a registered ticket. The WOW Splash Fountains turn off at 6PM. Price for NBG Members: $12/child & $5/adult. Tickets must be purchased for both children and adults.
Price for Not-yet Members: $20/child & $16/adult. (Tickets for program include admission for the attending children and adults and program supplies for the participating children).
Members and Not-Yet-Members: Any attendants 2 years old and younger do not require a ticket; however, if they are to participate in the program’s activities, they are required to have a registered child ticket. REGISTER ONLINE – WOW End of Summer Celebration
