Franklin Park Conservatory Free Community Day, discounts and more

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is Central Ohio’s premier botanical garden, just east of Franklin Park approximately two miles from downtown Columbus.

Explore 13 acres of botanical biomes, stunning gardens, art installations and exhibitions, and seasonal attractions as you wander the Conservatory building, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden and the Grand Mallway. 

There are multiple discounts available in order to make FPC more affordable, including free community admission one Sunday a month, free passes from the library, and more. Read below for more details.

Permanent Exhibitions

Don’t miss the stunning Chihuly Collection throughout FPC, along with the other beautiful offerings, such as the Himalayan Mountain Biome, Rainforest Biome, Desert Biome, and Pacific Island Water Garden. Leave plenty of time for your visit!

There is truly a days’ worth of exploring at the Conservatory. While you’re there, visit the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse and view specimens from the Conservatory’s bonsai collection.

Check out all of the gardens and collections available for viewing at FPC.

Seasonal Exhibitions

Free Community Days at the Conservatory

On the first Sunday of each month, the Conservatory will be free for residents of Franklin County and the City of Columbus during regular operating hours of 10am to 5pm. Proof of residence and/or valid ID required. Community Days aim to make the gardens more accessible to all. 

Tickets are made available on a monthly basis, typically in the week following the previous Community Day.

Dates and themes

January 7, 2024: Yoga
February 4, 2024: Black History Month
March 3, 2024: Women’s History Month
April 7, 2024: Japanese Culture & Cherry Blossoms
May 5, 2024: Building Community
June 2, 2024: National Garden Week
July 7, 2024: Community Jam Session
August 4, 2024: VegFest
September 1, 2024: Regenerative & Local Agriculture
October 6, 2024: STEAM Celebration
November 3,  2024: Health and Wellness
December 8, 2024 (10 am – 4 pm)

Admission to Special Engagements (Chihuly Nights, Pumpkins Aglow, Conservatory Aglow) is not included.

Paul Busse Garden Railway

June 1, 2024 – January 5, 2025. Train lovers, check this out! The popular exhibition is back, and features model trains whirling through unique botanical themes on 1,122 feet of track in the Grand Mallway. 

Travel alongside 9 g-scale model trains to immerse yourself in Fairytale Land, Wild West Town, European Travels and the animal-themed Who Lives Here.

See the trains weave through the miniature world of 51 botanical models made from all-natural plant material, including an enchanted tree hollow, two waterfalls, a bubbling brook, and plantings specific to each theme.

Select trains in the Paul Busse Garden Railway train set were generously donated in memory of John F. Wolfe by the Wolfe Family.

Holiday Season at Franklin Park Conservatory

Holiday Blooms and Conservatory Aglow

November 23, 2024 – January 5, 2024

The Conservatory’s halls are decked and blooming with holiday spirit! Visitors can spend the season amidst extravagant scenes featuring hundreds of unique poinsettias, the poinsettia trees and more!

The outdoor gardens are full with festively styled containers, and hardy plants and evergreens are accented by lights and decorative elements.

The daytime experience, Holiday Blooms, is open 10am-4pm, while the evening experience, Conservatory Aglow, is open 5-9 pm. 

Holiday Blooms is included with regular admission, and Conservatory Aglow has after-hours special engagement rates which also includes access to the entire FPC property.

Enjoy favorites such as the musical light show, Gingerbread House, wintry color themed Light Tunnel, Starry Night Bonsai Courtyard, Ornament Trees, and the whimsical Whirly Tree.

Entertainers and musicians will perform in the gardens on select evenings to enhance the experience. Enjoy refreshments sold by The Conservatory’s Garden Café and Food Truck and other local food trucks from 5-9pm each evening.

You can roam the entire facility during Conservatory Aglow, so you’ll enjoy all of the exhibitions throughout the property.

The Conservatory is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.

See other holiday programming, including Breakfast with Santa, family events, live performances and music, and more at this link.

Franklin Park Conservatory Aglow, Holiday Blooms, Breakfast with Santa – reserve now!

Music at the Conservatory

On select dates at 2pm, live music will be performed in the Conservatory. See full schedule here. Included with general admission. 

Chihuly Nights

Select evenings each month from 7 pm – 10 pm. Chihuly Nights are an amazing way to see the Conservatory after hours in a new light.

The 18 Chihuly installations will be illuminated with the botanical gardens as a backdrop. Check out the biomes in the conservatory and the historic John F. Wolfe Palm as it’s illuminated by James Turrell’s Light Raiment II.

Special admission is $15.50-$26 for non-members, and $7.75-$13 for members. Access rates are available. It’s an amazing date night idea! 

Read more about Chihuly nights and other after dark fun. 

2024 Cocktails at the Conservatory

Enjoy fun nights with friends at a venue like no other from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm. Each event features a new theme, a rotating cast of local drink vendors, live music, access to the Conservatory, and more.

Savor local sips and snacks as you revel in the gardens at golden hour. Ages 21+ only. Tickets are $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Details here.

February 22 – Mardi Gras 
March 21 – Pajama Party
April 18 – Blooms & Bubbly
May 16 – It’s Gonna Be May
June 20 – Camp Conservatory
July 18 – Reds, Whites & Boozed
 August 15 – Sustainable Sipping
September 19 – Prost to Oktoberfest
October 31 – Booze in the Garden
December 5 – Jingle Brews

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden

Kids love exploring and playing in The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden. This fun outdoor park features natural play areas, special gardens, and other ways to connect kids with nature. There is SO much to do, so allow plenty of time for kids to play!

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and water-safe clothing if your kids intend to visit the garden, so they can explore the Sandstone Creek water feature. Diapered kids must wear swim diapers.

While the garden is open year round, the water feature will be off October – early May. Bring warm clothing if you come during colder weather – there’s so lots to do!

Food Options

The Conservatory’s Food Truck will offer house-made, pre-packaged snacks and lunch items, as well as beverages, including beer and wine. Cash will not be accepted; cards only please. 

The Garden Café offers a limited menu of snacks and lunch items, baked goods, as well as drinks and alcoholic beverages. Details.

Snacks and water bottles are permitted; no glass. Outside Food or beverages are not permitted. Picnic tables are available in the beautiful Franklin Park just south of the main Conservatory building. 

Admission to Franklin Park Conservatory

Admission to the Franklin Park Conservatory is $22 for adults and over age 12, $19 for seniors, and $15 for children 3-12 (free under age 2). These admission prices are valid 10 am – 5 pm. Special events and evening hours have different rates.

Franklin Park Conservatory discounts

AAA members: $1 off each adult ticket, $0.50 off each child ticket

Active or Retired Service Members: $1 off each ticket (any age)

Columbus Member Advantage Program

If you’re a member of select Central Ohio attractions, you can save $3 on general admission to Franklin Park Conservatory through the Columbus Member Advantage program.

No coupon is necessary. Show your valid participating membership card when you visit! Limited to 4 discounts per membership per day; can’t be combined with other discounts.  

If you’re already a member at FPC, use your membership to get discounts on admission to these attractions.

Member Advantage partners

• Columbus Museum of Art and Pizzuti Collection (see our article)
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (see our article)
• Dawes Arboretum (see our article)
• Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (see our article)
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus (see our article)
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum (see our article)
• Ohio History Center & Ohio Village (see our article)
• Wexner Center for the Arts (see our article)
• COSI (advanced tickets required)
• The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology (also qualifies for ASTC reciprocal admission) 

Free Culture passes at the Library

Conservatory Membership Cards are available for checkout at the Martin Luther King, Shepard, and Driving Park branches of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

With an active library card, you can check out a temporary Conservatory membership card that will grant up to two adults and six children free admission to the Conservatory for 2 days. 

Culture Passes are only available for in-person customer checkout at the specific CML locations listed above, as well as Pickerington Public Library.

Culture Passes cannot be reserved like traditional library items, however customers can check their availability at columbuslibrary.org by typing “Culture Pass” into the catalog search bar.

Access Pass discounts

The Conservatory provides special discounts to qualifying families to make programming and special events available to all. $3 general admission and special engagement tickets are available for SNAP, EBT, WIC and Medicaid participants.

Access Members also qualify for $3 special engagement tickets. Learn more. See website for specific discounts

Save money with Franklin Park Conservatory Membership

Love to explore the various exhibits and events throughout the year?  An annual membership would be worth the cost, as they range from $60 – $200. Senior (60+) memberships are just $45, and the $35 Access pass is for families who are eligible for benefit programs.

Members also receive discounts and free admission at various Reciprocal Admission Discounts to gardens and arboretums across the US.

Educator, Military & Student Discounts. Take 10% off any membership category if you are a full-time, active educator or an active or retired military personnel. Present current teacher or military identification at the Visitor’s Center to qualify for this discount. Students (with valid ID) receive 10% off the Individual membership.

You’ll also receive a $3 discount to many of the best museums and attractions in Columbus through the Columbus Member Advantage, including Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus, Ohio History Center & Ohio Village, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Pizzuti Collection, Wexner Center for the Arts.

Membership discounts

Educator, Military & Student Discounts: Take 10% off any membership category if you are a full-time, active educator or an active or retired military personnel. Present current teacher or military identification at the Visitor’s Center for this discount.

Students (with valid ID) receive 10% off the Individual membership.

Access Family Membership ($35) for families in eligible programs with proof of participation: CareSource, Ohio Directions card, Medicaid card, W.I.C. card or Molina card. Franklin Park Conservatory Access memberships are available by mail or at the Visitor Center only.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus

Next to the Conservatory, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus is a 4-acre garden with an apiary, rose pavilion, berry house and 40 community garden plots as well as, a demonstration kitchen and Live-Fire Cooking Theater.

This area is open to the public at no charge from dawn until dusk. Visitors also enjoy exploring Franklin Park before or after their visit to FPC.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1777 E Broad St
Columbus, OH 43203
614.715.8000
website

Events tba for 2024

Pollinator Palooza

Saturday, June 24, 2023, in conjunction with National Pollinator Week. Engage with various organizations that are raising awareness for pollinators, while enjoying learning opportunities, crafts, music, garden tours and more. This event is completely free to attend.

Please note that this event is held in the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus, just outside the main Conservatory building.

If you wish to explore the Conservatory during your visit, admission is required. Details.

Conservatory Explore Nights

Connect with nature with monthly themes and special explore nights full of family-friendly fun with activities and experiences throughout the Conservatory.

Saturday, June 10 from 5-9pm: Backyard Bugs
Saturday, July 8 from 5-9pm: Red, White & Bloom. See details for this special evening.
Saturday, August 5 from 5-9pm: Splish, Splash, Explore. See details here.

Garden Safari

June 3, 2023 – September 10, 2023. Go on a safari to see the animals of the Conservatory’s Topiary Collection in their natural habitat.

Thirty larger-than-life animal topiaries are on display! Explore the Conservatory Courtyards, Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden and Grand Mallway to discover topiaries filled with plants and colorful moss that mimic the colors and textures of fur, skin, scales and feathers.

Orchids at Franklin Park Conservatory

January 20 – March 10, 2024

Thousands of vibrant orchid blossoms will fill the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse, bringing with them a warm, tropical escape for the senses. This exhibition is a refreshingly colorful escape from the cold days of winter.

Orchids will also provide pops of color and fragrance throughout the rest of the interior Conservatory.

Farmer’s Market at FPC

Wednesdays, June 5-September 11, 2024, from 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm, rain or shine. Vendors offer a mix of local produce, baked goods, specialty foods, handmade items, and health and beauty products.

The market is located outdoors in the Conservatory’s Wells Barn parking lot, just off of East Broad Street and past the Conservatory’s main parking lot (where the market was previously). The public is welcome and parking is free. Details here.

The market accepts EBT for all qualifying purchases and offers incentive dollars through the Produce Perks Columbus program (formerly known as Veggie SNAPS) for fresh produce for all EBT users.

Columbus Blooms

March 15-May 5, 2024

More than 125,000 tulips, narcissus, pansies and other stars of the season will bloom in the botanical gardens and container displays. Throughout the Conservatory and Franklin Park, magnolias, lilacs, cherries, viburnum and thousands of perennials bring exciting bursts of scent and color after a long winter slumber.

Immerse yourself in the vibrancy of the season! Plants bloom throughout the season, starting in March and continuing through the following months.

Check the Spring Blooms Report to know what’s in bloom during your visit. Columbus Blooms is presented by GreenScapes.

Bloom and Butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory

February 24 – July 7, 2024

Hundreds of exotic butterflies will fill the Pacific Island Water Garden biome, a tropical haven filled with lush foliage and bright blooms. Patrons can visit at any time to see a diverse array of butterflies soaring overhead or basking on nearby plant life. 

Daily butterfly demonstrations will not be taking place this year due to social distancing precautions. See more details here.

Fall at Franklin Park Conservatory

Harvest Blooms

September 23 – October 29, 2023

Harvest Blooms instills the Conservatory’s outdoor gardens and courtyards with the magic of the harvest season.

Thousands of pumpkins, mums and ornamental cabbages decorate the landscape while two spectacular Pumpkin Houses stand ready to welcome guests. Details.

Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory

October 11–15, 18–22 & 25-29, 2023

Don’t miss fall favorite Pumpkins Aglow on select evenings in October 2023. Experience the magic of the harvest season at the Conservatory under the stars, surrounded by glowing pumpkins and enchanting scenery.

Enchanting decorations throughout the gardens, a spooky forest, a foggy creek and a ghostly graveyard. There are two Pumpkin Houses, plus singing jack o’ lanterns, dancing skeletons and more. There is live entertainment every night from 6-8 pm.

Pumpkins Aglow includes exhibitions, gardens and collections, and Botanica Gift Shop and Greenhouse. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden will close at dusk. Read more about Pumpkins Aglow.

Pumpkins Aglow requires special engagement rates, and discounts may not apply.

Tickets are $26/adults, $22/seniors and college students, $15.50/child ages 3-12, free under 3. Members qualify for discounted rates. 

Admissions for Museums for All (SNAP, EBT, WIC and Medicaid Participants) is $3.