Into the Woods Cabaret!, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Location: the Arboretum's Ernst Terrace. Donations at the event are encouraged. R.S.V.P. here for tickets.

Join us for an hour-long cabaret performance featuring songs from Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods. This special performance comes ahead of Into the Woods, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, which runs at the Forbes Center Studio Theatre Nov. 13-15; for more information about this longer performance, including show times and tickets, visit jmuforbescenter.com.

Tickets for the cabaret performance at the Arboretum are first-come, first served. We look forward to having you join us! R.S.V.P. here.

Open Scopes at the Arboretum, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Location: the Arboretum's Frances Plecker Education Center. FREE event!  Register here.

Explore the world we can't normally see! Microscopes will be set up for you to look at tiny life in pond water, vascular systems in plants, hairs on the legs of a bug and whatever other tiny things we can find.

Appropriate for 5th graders through adults. Our younger friends can explore with our more sturdy stereoscopes, bug viewers, and hand lenses. (Minors under 18 must have an adult attend with them.)

We look forward to having you join us! Register here.

Saturday, Nov. 7, Noon-1:00 p.m. Meet at the Arboretum's Frances Plecker Education Center. FREE event!  Register here.

Fall is a wonderful time to observe the natural world as it prepares for the transition from the hot summer to colder winter! Let’s fall into gratitude with our last seasonal Gratitude Walk of 2026, and witness the lessons and gifts we have received. We’ll do this through the lens of Positive Psychology, which is the Science of Human Flourishing. We do not just survive, but learn to thrive. It is not toxic positivity where we pretend everything is great when it is not. We do develop tools and strategies like gratitude, savoring, and mindfulness to help us process the harder and changing seasons and times. It can be meaningful to slow down, observe, reflect, and share in community. Join us for a stroll to witness the beautiful fall season and learn a well-being model to help us in the changing times. Free and usually about a 30min-1 hour walk with stops along the way.

We hope you will join us! Register here.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Meet at the Arboretum's Frances Plecker Education Center. $30 per person -- $15 per person for Arboretum Members and JMU students! Registration is required. Register here.

Explore ways to stay connected with nature through journaling during the winter quiet months. We will do an overview of nature journaling and then jump right in to studying specimens with guided lessons. Art skills are not a prerequisite for this class because renderings are based on careful observations. All necessary art supplies will be provided but you are also welcome to bring your own.

Audience: adult and mature youth

We hope you will join us! Register here. When you register, call the Arboretum at (540) 568-3194 for payment, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

1st & 3rd Fridays | Dusk | FREE 

Next Meeting: April 17, 2026-Sept. 18, 2026

Location: Arboretum Pond

Members of our local chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists, in partnership with Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia, will be hosting an Evening with Bats! by the Arboretum's pond on the first and third Fridays of the month, beginning on April 17 and concluding Sept. 18. (See registration link for exceptions and starting times.)

Visitors should arrive 15 minutes before sunset to hear a brief presentation about bat conservation and behavior, followed by the opportunity to watch bats of the Arboretum emerge for their evening hunt. Master Naturalists and BCRV volunteers will also be hosting a bat call monitoring station as part of the evening, and visitors can watch and learn more about acoustic monitoring, and what it's telling us about the bats who live in the Arboretum. Dress for the weather and bring a light to return to your vehicle after dark. 

Registration is strongly recommended (it allows us to notify you if the program is changed, canceled, etc.). Walk-ins are welcome, too.

Parking: Park in the EJC Arboretum R5 lot at the top of the hill (Costco side). Meet at the Pond parking lot.

Please call 540.568.3194 or email ejcarboretum@jmu.edu with any questions or concerns.

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before sunset.

Register Here

1st Tuesdays | 6-8 PM | FREE

Location: Frances Plecker Education Center

Join presenters, Clark Driver and Simon Jilg for a short lecture, bonsai displays, and door prizes!

Register Here

Next dates: Check back for Fall 2026 dates.

Location: Meet at the Frances Plecker Education Center

A JMU Health 100 Passport event sponsored by the Counseling Center. Check in at the Frances Plecker Education Center to get your materials for this self-guided experience.

Next dates: November 10; Tuesday, December 8| See below for registration details and locations

Join us for a deep healing and relaxation experience with pure sound frequencies. Sound healing resets the nervous system, equalizes brainwaves and provides a cellular detox of the highest order. 

Tuesday, November 10, Indoors at Frances Plecker Education Center, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Sound Bathing, $25, Register here.

Tuesday, December 8, Indoors at Frances Plecker Education Center, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Sound Bathing, $25, Register here.

Select "RSVP Here" for times and locations.

Harrisonburg Songtuary is a community song circle that seeks to propagate co-enchanting cohorts of contemplayful singers, sponsored by the Arts Council of the Valley and the Office of Creative Propulsion.

RSVP Here