Garden Speaker Series
Join us for the 2026 season Garden Speaker educational series. Talks held throughout the year. All talks are FREE and each spotlights a different Garden Topic. Some talks include hands-on workshops and take-home projects. View upcoming dates and details on The Community Gardens Page
Winter Lip Balm Workshop
Saturday, November 28
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Alcosta Senior and Community Center
$55 R / $63 N Activity #37466
This lip balm workshop will teach you how to use all natural ingredients to make bespoke holiday gifts that will enrich the senses and delight your loved ones.
Details: During the workshop each participant will create 2 lip balm tubes and receive a take home guide to create more lip balm at home. Starter kits to create more lip balm at home will be available for an additional supply fee.
Holiday Lotion Bar Workshop
Saturday, December 5
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Alcosta Senior and Community Center
$55 R / $63 N Activity #37465
This lotion bar workshop will teach you how to use all natural ingredients make bespoke holiday gifts that will enrich the senses and delight your loved ones.
Details: During the workshop each participant will create one Lotion Bar and receive a take home guide to create more lip balm at home. Starter kits to create more lip balm at home will be available for an additional supply fee.
Winter Wassail
Saturday, January 9
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Crow Canyon Gardens
FREE Event
Join us for our third annual Winter Wassail!
Learn about this ancient tradition where we got our modern-day caroling. Enjoy some garden tasting and cider sips (while supplies last) and kick up your feet with the Morris Dancers! Looking for ways to participate or support this event? Contact alightfoot@sanramon.ca.gov.
Heavy rain will cancel or reschedule.
Star Party
Saturday, January 9
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Amador Rancho Community Center
Join us under the starry skies for a Star Party! Members of Dark Skies International and local astronomy clubs will illuminate topics of astronomy, light pollution, and what to look for in the night sky this stargazing season!
Program will be indoors and outdoors, so please dress in layers.
Rainy or cloudy weather will cancel or reschedule this event. Chaperoned children welcome; chaperones are expected to ensure children do not disrupt program.
DarkSky Walk and Talk
Friday, February 5
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
San Ramon Community Center
$10 R / $12.50 N Activity #37825
Back by popular demand! Join DarkSky International on a special evening walk. The evening will include a discussion on how city lighting affects human behavior and psychology, as well as the effects of different lighting on animals, insects, and the environment.
This program has indoor portions and an outdoor walking portion. Walking path is mostly flat, less than 1 mile round trip on paved paths and sidewalks. Heavy rain will cancel or reschedule.
Chaperoned children welcome; chaperones are expected to ensure children do not disrupt program.
"Coloring Nature" Valentines Hand Tinting Workshop
Saturday, February 6
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Forest Home Farms
$20 R / $25 N Activity# 37828
Put a unique and personalized twist on Valentines and learn the art of hand-tinting while connecting with nature, during this fun and relaxing workshop.
Participants will learn both natural history and the history of this enjoyable art while hand tinting black and white photos of plants observed in the garden.
Participants will learn how to create their own hand-tints from scratch to make unique and personalized postcards or Valentines that can be sent to friends and family.
All Supplies included.
Great Backyard Bird Count
Friday, February 12
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Forest Home Farms
Free Event but pre-registration requested Activity# 37827
Need a date idea for Valentines weekend? Looking for something to do during Superbowl Ad breaks? Join us for the kick-off of the 2027 Great Backyard Bird Count! No prior experience necessary! We'll give you tips and tricks for identifying birds and show you how to participate in this fun citizen science event!
The Great Backyard Bird Count takes place over 4 days (Feb 12 - 15), count birds for 15 minutes or the whole weekend, then submit your observations to eBird.org and help scientists with global bird research. It's an easy and fun way to connect with nature and get to know your feathered neighbors.
If rain, will move program indoors. Otherwise, dress for outdoors.