Bringing the community together
Buttonwood Nature Center, home of The Institute provides free family-friendly community events throughout the year. From the Annual Kite Fly and Earth Celebration Day & Festival of Art in spring, Youth Festival in May, summer outdoor theatrical productions, a sizzling Jazz Fest in August, and the Winter Solstice Celebration in December, there are exciting family activities happening month to month. Most take place outdoors.
Check out these family-friendly, fun events!
30th Annual Kite Fly
Saturday, April 11, 2026 • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Underwriting support provided by Buchanan Auto Park
Free kite flying (all ages) with expert flying help from our Kite Masters—brothers Sam and George Adams—in the field adjacent to Hooverville Elementary School in Waynesboro. Bring your own kite. Free Build a Kite workshop, all welcome. Free raffle to win a FUN kite!
Watch this amazing video by local photographer, videographer, and video editor, Andrew Gehman, created during the 2013 Fun Fly. Watch the video here.
Earth Celebration Day
Saturday, April 25, 2026 • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Underwriting support by Lucinda D. Potter, CPA and Renewal by Andersen.
Buttonwood, home of The Institute celebrates spring with environmental exhibits, music, student clothesline display, and food stand. Free admission. Event will take place outdoors at Pine Hill Recreation Area near Waynesboro, Pa.
Please come prepared for an outdoor day, (light) rain or shine. Subject to cancellation in the event of heavy rain.
Watch a video of the 2013 event, created by Andrew Gehman.
Youth Festival—Our 37th
Let’s Play Outside!
Sunday, May 17, 2026 • 1 to 5 p.m. at Pine Hill Recreation Area
Underwriting support by Patriot Federal Credit Union
This fun event is an opportunity for families to enjoy being outdoors together. The day features giveaways, activities, exhibits and demonstrations from local organizations that are family and youth-centric. Each year a special guest performer entertains the crowd—highlighting music, theater, puppetry, magic or stunts—always exciting and fun!
Admission is FREE! [Rain site Waynesboro Area Middle School]
Check out this cool video from 2013, created for the institute by Andrew Gehman. Plus, visit our Flickr page to see great photos from 2015!
35th Annual Jazz Festival in 2026
Sunday, August 23, 2026 • 5 to 7 p.m. (date & time to be confirmed)
At The Wharf in Waynesboro (location to be confirmed)
Buttonwood Nature Center presents its annual jazz festival spotlighting top professional musicians with stellar performing artists that light up the outdoor stage with hot summer jazz.
The concert is followed by an informal question and answer period. Free and open to the public. [Rain site: Waynesboro Area High School auditorium].
Underwriting support for the 2025 event was provided by our Premier Sponsor, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The funds were received via a Flex Fund grant from the Cultural Alliance of York County, Pa. Further support by the Hamilton Family Foundation on behalf of Hamilton Nissan; Bev McFarland in memory of Tom McFarland; Rent In Waynesboro.com; Franklin County Visitors Bureau; Dave & Joyce Thompson, and Waynesboro Community Concert Association.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Monday, December 21, 2026 • 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Red Run Park (date & time to be confirmed)
Underwriting support provided by Steel Warehouse.
Buttonwood Nature Center presents an annual Winter Solstice Celebration, first launched in 2020. Marking the longest night—or shortest day—of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Since ancient times, people all over the world have recognized this important astronomical occurrence and celebrated the “return of the sun” in a variety of ways. After the solstice, the days get gradually longer.
Join this family-friendly celebration of the season with entertainment, storytelling, hands-on solstice activities for children including making garlands of popcorn and berries and edible ornaments for animals, live music, fire-pit warming stations, and hot chocolate stations.
Weather permitting, members of the Tri-State Astronomers club will be on hand with telescopes to observe the winter skies. Vendors and specific details are to be announced. The entire event is outdoors, so dress accordingly.
