Garvan Woodland Gardens Celebrates Winter Season With Daytime Garden Festival, High Tea

Garvan Woodland Gardens

These winter landscape installations designed by Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design interior design students are part of the new daytime Winter Garden Festival at Garvan Woodland Gardens.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Garvan Woodland Gardens is ushering in the new season with a daytime winter festival that opened last month, as well as a Holiday High Tea.

This year, the garden is celebrating the changing of the seasons with the new daytime "Winter Garden Festival" that will be open through Dec. 31 (except for Christmas Day, when the garden will be closed). There are plenty of photo opportunities by favorite garden displays, as well as a new display along the recently paved Camellia Trail featuring winter landscape installations designed by Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design students. The Garvan Pavilion will be transformed into a life-sized snow globe. The Chipmunk Café will be open each night, serving salads, sandwiches and snacks, and visitors can enjoy free hot chocolate. Because the festival takes place during daytime hours, areas that were previously inaccessible during Holiday Lights will now be available to experience, including the Evans Children's Adventure Garden, the Evans Tree House, the Hixson Nature Preserve and the Perry Wildflower Overlook. Masks are required for entry and in some areas of the garden.

"Holiday High Tea" will be held at 3 p.m. Dec 8 in the Magnolia Room. This traditional English style tea will feature a sampling of assorted scones, finger sandwiches, desserts and hot teas. Advance tickets are required. Seating will be limited for social distancing. Service will be in accordance with all health directives by the state.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas and part of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. The garden is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12, free for children ages 3 and younger, and $5 for dogs on a short leash. Some events and activities are free. Some require a fee, advance registration or prepayment.

Masks are required for entry to Garvan Gardens. The interiors of Anthony Chapel and the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Center are closed to the public. Restrooms at the Grooms Quarters and Brides Hall are also closed to the public. Golf Cart Tours are available on a limited basis. Café hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

For more information about these events or to check on upcoming events, call 501-262-9300 or 800-366-4664.