Mount Pisgah Arboretum Wildflower & Music Festival
Now in its 47th year, this beloved single-day festival at Mount Pisgah Arboretum displays over 250 native wildflower species in bloom, with guided nature walks, live music, and local vendors along the banks of the Coast Fork Willamette River.
About the event
The Mount Pisgah Arboretum Wildflower & Music Festival is one of the longest-running nature festivals in Oregon, now celebrating its 47th year in 2026. The arboretum is a nonprofit botanical garden and nature center managed on land adjacent to Mount Pisgah in the Howard Buford Recreation Area, southeast of Eugene. The festival is presented by the arboretum in partnership with the Native Plant Society of Oregon (Emerald Chapter), Lane Community College botany students, and the University of Oregon's Environmental Leadership Program.
The festival takes place on the Sunday after Mother's Day each May — a date chosen to coincide with peak wildflower season in Oregon's southern Willamette Valley. At the heart of the event is the White Oak Pavilion wildflower display, where over 250 identified native species are arranged and labeled by NPSO and LCC botany students. For many visitors, this is the first time they have seen Oregon's wildflower diversity assembled in one place: camas, trillium, chocolate lily, shooting star, clarkia, and dozens of species less familiar than the spring standards.
The Coast Fork Willamette River runs along the arboretum's southern edge, and the trails that wind through oak woodlands, riparian forest, and native meadow provide the backdrop for guided nature walks led by local experts and UO student naturalists. The arboretum's grounds cover roughly 100 acres of diverse habitat.
What to expect
The festival runs 10 am to 5 pm in a relaxed, family-friendly format. Parking at the arboretum is free on festival day, and the site is accessible from Eugene via bike trail (the Amazon and Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail connects to the arboretum). The terrain includes flat riverbank paths and gently sloping oak woodland — most areas are accessible with effort, though some trails have rougher surfaces.
Live music from several local acts plays throughout the day at the outdoor stage. Food and drink vendors, art and craft booths, and native plant sales round out the festival grounds. The Art in Nature Trail features ephemeral sculpture and land art installations by local artists placed along the walking paths. Children's activities include pollinator crafts and flower-themed projects. The tone is unhurried and community-centered — this is a neighborhood celebration as much as a nature festival.
Admission is $15 at the gate; presale tickets are available. Children under 12 enter free, and arboretum members receive complimentary admission. Membership can be purchased at the gate, with the $15 admission credited toward the membership cost.
Key events
- Wildflower Display at the White Oak Pavilion — Over 250 labeled native wildflower species, identified and arranged by NPSO Emerald Chapter and LCC botany students. Running all day, 10 am–5 pm.
- Guided nature walks — Expert-led walks through the arboretum's oak woodland, riparian forest, and meadow habitats. Led by local naturalists and UO Environmental Leadership Program students. Free with admission; depart throughout the day.
- Live music — Multiple local acts perform throughout the day on the outdoor stage. 2025 performers included One More Time Marching Band, Moon Mountain String Band, and Ballet Folklorico Colibri.
- Art in Nature Trail — Ephemeral art installations by local artists displayed along the walking paths through the arboretum grounds.
- Native plant sale — Locally grown native plants for sale; good source for wildflower species seen in the display.
- Children's pollinator crafts — Drop-in craft activities themed around flowers and pollinators, suitable for young children.
- Food and drink vendors — Local food vendors and beverage options on-site throughout the day.