Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center Events

With its gorgeous gardens and wealth of flora and fauna, Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is a great place to visit year-round. Yet there are certain times throughout the year that are worth setting aside time to visit. Throughout the spring and fall, the nature center hosts a variety of family-friendly exhibitions and festivals to celebrate nature’s beauty and the changing of the seasons. To help you plan your visit here, we’ve put together a list of Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center’s events. Mark your calendars, bring your sweetheart or your family, and enjoy an unforgettable day in Orange, Texas.

March

Davis Rogers’ Big Bugs Exhibition
A larger-than-life ant, praying mantis, spider, and other immense insects take over Shangri La from the beginning of March until the end of May. These big bugs, made by artist David Rogers, delight children of all ages as they loom over Shangri La’s gorgeous gardens. Shangri La offers expanded Sunday hours (noon – 5 p.m.) during this event.

Celebrate Orchids!
Shangri La’s orchids welcome spring in a veritable explosion of color. Stroll through the Epiphyte House and the Exhibition Greenhouse to see an astounding variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures that make orchids one of the most beloved flowers in the world. For a truly immersive experience, go on one of the daily Exhibition Greenhouse tours or attend an orchid-related lecture or workshop to learn more about these beautiful plants.

April

Eco-Fest and Butterfly Release
Celebrate Earth Day at Shangri La’s Eco-Fest and Butterfly Release, an annual event that offers plenty of family-friendly activities that promote sustainability and natural history. These activities include scavenger hunts, face painting, live animal programs, raffles, and a butterfly release.

October

Scarecrow Festival
Meander along Shangri La’s many scenic paths and you’ll spot something curious: dozens of odd hand-painted scarecrows. Welcome to the nature center’s annual Scarecrow Festival, the largest of its kind in Texas. From mid-October until early November, Shangri La is full of wacky scarecrows made by local community organizations, businesses, schools, churches, and families as a means to celebrate the beginning of autumn.

November

Autumn Fair
Held on the last day of the Scarecrow Festival, the Autumn Fair at Shangri La has something fun for everyone. Face painting, hayrides, live animal shows, live music, and raffles are just a few of the day’s exciting activities! Don’t forget to check out the scarecrows while you can, go on an Outpost Tour on Adams Bayou, or explore the gardens.

December

Christmas Strolls
Throughout December, Shangri La’s gardens are transformed into a holiday paradise with colorful lights, festive decorations, and community-decorated Christmas trees. Wander through the captivating gardens and the greenhouses bedecked with poinsettias and seasonal flowers. The lights and the sights makes this a great way to enjoy the holiday season at Shangri La.

Dreaming of a Green Christmas
Meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus, make your own holiday ornaments, and explore Shangri La’s gardens adorned with Christmas-themed decorations during this event, held throughout the month. Make sure to take your youngsters to the Here We Grow! Children’s Garden, which is transformed into a vibrant gingerbread house. With so many things to see and do, this is a great time of year to visit Shangri La.