Upcoming Events

From garden exploration classes for little ones to themed cooking classes for adults to our annual Seedling Soirée, you can find all our upcoming happenings here.

Day of Play 2026

Saturday, July 25, 2026   10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Join us for Day of Play on Saturday July 25th from 10am – 1pm for a FREE family-friendly event where learning, growing, and making healthy choices come to life! This year, we’re excited to offer even more hands-on gardening and cooking activities, brought to you by Olivewood Gardens and our amazing community partners. Get ready for a day filled with interactive fun, outdoor exploration, and inspiration for the whole family!

Family Cooking Class Summer Series: Grilled Veggie Pizzas

Thursday, August 06, 2026   4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Our family cooking classes are back! Join us for the first class of our family cooking class summer series. In this class, we’ll be making dough, homemade sauce and chopping garden veggies to create delicious veggie pizzas on the grill together. Join us to connect as a family and learn a new recipe together in the kitchen for hands-on dinner experience! Each ticket includes one adult and one child (K-6th grade).

Talls & Smalls / Altos y Pequeños (8/7/26)

Friday, August 07, 2026   11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Come join us for a morning in the garden exploring plants, bugs and more. Our outdoor adventure will include story time, a farm-to-table snack and exploration on our 8-acre garden property. Join us to spend quality time in nature with your little one while building a love for our environment and adventurous eating habits.

Ven a pasar una mañana con nosotros en el jardín descubriendo plantas, insectos y mucho más. Nuestra aventura al aire libre incluirá un rato de cuentos, una merienda con productos de la huerta y un recorrido por nuestro jardín de 8 acres. Acompáñanos para disfrutar de un rato especial en la naturaleza con tu pequeño, al tiempo que fomentas el amor por el medio ambiente y unos hábitos alimenticios aventureros.

Garden Explorers August: Petal Power!

Saturday, August 08, 2026   9:30 am – 11:30 am

Welcome all K-6th graders to Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center! Join us for a very special Garden Explorers to make crafts and learn about the power of flowers! Bring your curiosity and excitement to prepare for our time in the gardens! Saturday August 8th 9:30am-11:30am, Sign up today!

Chefcitos (August 8th, 2026 - 10AM)

Saturday, August 08, 2026   10:00 am – 11:30 am

Join us this month for a colorful and flavor-packed snack favorite at Olivewood Gardens, Rainbow Nachos with homemade guacamole and pico de gallo. Children in grades K-6 are invited to join us in the teaching kitchen to build skills, confidence, and adventurous eating habits! Register for your spot today.

Acompáñanos este mes en Olivewood Gardens para disfrutar de un tentempié muy colorido y lleno de sabor: los nachos arcoíris con guacamole casero y pico de gallo. ¡Invitamos a los niños de grados K-6 de primaria a que se unan a nosotros en la cocina didáctica para desarrollar sus habilidades, su confianza y unos hábitos alimenticios más atrevidos! Reserva tu plaza hoy mismo.

Chefcitos (August 8th, 2026 - 1PM)

Saturday, August 08, 2026   1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Join us this month for a colorful and flavor-packed snack favorite at Olivewood Gardens, Rainbow Nachos with homemade guacamole and pico de gallo. Children in grades K-6 are invited to join us in the teaching kitchen to build skills, confidence, and adventurous eating habits! Register for your spot today.

Acompáñanos este mes en Olivewood Gardens para disfrutar de un tentempié muy colorido y lleno de sabor: los nachos arcoíris con guacamole casero y pico de gallo. ¡Invitamos a los niños de grados K-6 de primaria a que se unan a nosotros en la cocina didáctica para desarrollar sus habilidades, su confianza y unos hábitos alimenticios más atrevidos! Reserva tu plaza hoy mismo.

Family Cooking Class Summer Series: Garden Veggie Fritters

Thursday, August 13, 2026   4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Our family cooking classes are back! Join us in the second class of our summer series. In this class, we’ll explore a fun way to include many different veggies on your plate – vegetable fritters with a dip! These are hands-on and often a crowd-pleaser for those who don’t always prefer vegetables. This class is an opportunity to connect as a family and learn together in the kitchen while building skills, confidence and adventurous eating habits – plus you’ll make a delicious dinner! Each ticket includes one adult and one child (K-6th grade). National City resident price available (must have 91950 zip code).

Open Gardens

Saturday, August 15, 2026   10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Join us for our monthly Open Gardens and Property Tour! You’ll learn about the history of the property, Olivewood programming, and more! This tour takes place on natural surfaces such as dirt and mulch so please wear appropriate shoes. Tours at 10:15AM & 11:15AM. No registration required.

August Garden at Dusk Dinner

Saturday, August 15, 2026   5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Featuring Chef Adrian Villarreal of Tahona Bar, San Diego

Join us for our August Garden at Dusk Dinner at Olivewood Gardens, an unforgettable outdoor dining experience under the stars. This special evening will feature Chef Adrian Villareal of Tahona Bar (San Diego), known for his bold, soulful approach to Mexican cuisine and deep respect for regional flavors and ingredients.

Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated, garden-inspired menu paired with refreshing beverages, live music, and the magic of dining outdoors in the heart of Olivewood Gardens. This intimate community dinner brings together food lovers, local chefs, and supporters of food justice for a night of connection, culture, and purpose. Tickets are limited and expected to sell out. Reserve your seat early for this one-night-only culinary experience.

Family Cooking Class Summer Series: Veggie Sushi

Thursday, August 20, 2026   4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Our family cooking classes are back! Join us in the third class of our summer series. In this class, we’ll make veggie sushi with cucumber salad and edamame! These recipes will be fully hands-on and result in a delicious dinner to enjoy together. This class is an opportunity to connect as a family and learn together in the kitchen while building skills, confidence and adventurous eating habits – plus you’ll make a delicious dinner! Each ticket includes one adult and one child (K-6th grade). National City resident price available (must have 91950 zip code).

Family Cooking Class Summer Series: Veggie Dumplings & Happy Rice

Thursday, August 27, 2026   4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Our family cooking classes are back! Join us for the final class of our summer series. We’ll be making an Olivewood famous recipe – Happy Rice along with vegetable dumplings. Happy Rice is my #1 trick for introducing kids to new vegetables, or re-introducing them to vegetables that they previously haven’t liked. It’s an easy week-night staple dinner recipe, along with dumplings, which are hands-on and a great thing to prep now and cook later. This class will be a fun way to connect as a family and learn together in the kitchen, building skills and confidence while practicing adventurous eating habits – plus you’ll make yourself a delicious dinner! Each ticket includes one adult and one child (K-6th grade).

Talls & Smalls / Altos y Pequeños (9/4/26)

Friday, September 04, 2026   11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Come join us for a morning in the garden exploring plants, bugs and more. Our outdoor adventure will include story time, a farm-to-table snack and exploration on our 8-acre garden property. Join us to spend quality time in nature with your little one while building a love for our environment and adventurous eating habits.

Ven a pasar una mañana con nosotros en el jardín descubriendo plantas, insectos y mucho más. Nuestra aventura al aire libre incluirá un rato de cuentos, una merienda con productos de la huerta y un recorrido por nuestro jardín de 8 acres. Acompáñanos para disfrutar de un rato especial en la naturaleza con tu pequeño, al tiempo que fomentas el amor por el medio ambiente y unos hábitos alimenticios aventureros.

Garden Explorers September: How Does Your Garden Grow?

Saturday, September 12, 2026   9:30 am – 11:30 am

As summer winds down and the weather shifts to fall, the garden undergoes a series of changes! In this program focused on teaching kids how to grow a garden, your little one will participate in an exciting and interactive garden explorers class where participants will explore Olivewood, do a few gardening activities and enjoy a garden snack and craft! Sign your little one up today to spend some quality time outdoors in nature with other explorers!

Open Gardens

Saturday, September 19, 2026   10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Join us for our monthly Open Gardens and Property Tour! You’ll learn about the history of the property, Olivewood programming, and more! This tour takes place on natural surfaces such as dirt and mulch so please wear appropriate shoes. Tours at 10:15AM & 11:15AM. No registration required.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Saturday, September 19, 2026   3:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Join former Olivewood intern and Masienda Vice President of Operations, Selina Pino, for a hands-on cooking class exploring the ancient art of nixtamalization. Selina is also the creator of Olivewood’s beloved Cauliflower Ceviche recipe, developed during her 2012 internship and still featured in our programming today. Learn how dried corn is transformed into hominy and masa before making a delicious vegetarian pozole from scratch while exploring the rich history and tradition behind one of Mexico’s most important culinary techniques.

Fall Day Camp- September 21st🍁

Monday, September 21, 2026   9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Are you looking for a fun camp for your child’s fall break? Olivewood is offering three day-long camps this Fall for K-6th graders! If your little one loves to get their hands in the soil, cook recipes, and explore nature – this is the camp for them! Families can register for individual days or join us for all three – every day will be filled with different hands-on activities and recipes!

Fall Day Camp- September 28th🍂

Monday, September 28, 2026   9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Are you looking for a fun camp for your child’s fall break? Olivewood is offering three day-long camps this Fall for K-6th graders! If your little one loves to get their hands in the soil, cook recipes, and explore nature – this is the camp for them! Families can register for individual days or join us for all three – every day will be filled with different hands-on activities and recipes!

Open Gardens

Saturday, October 17, 2026   10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Join us for our monthly Open Gardens and Property Tour! You’ll learn about the history of the property, Olivewood programming, and more! This tour takes place on natural surfaces such as dirt and mulch so please wear appropriate shoes. Tours at 10:15AM & 11:15AM. No registration required.