Gilroy Gardens Alphabet, Chapter 5: QRS

Posted on October 2, 2026October 5, 2026 by Angelica Rodezno

Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 5: QRS

In 2026, we’re making our way through the 26 letters of the alphabet here at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. Come along as we explore the letters Q, R and S!

Q is for Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster

The biggest, fastest, and most thrilling ride at Gilroy Gardens is the Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster. It’s quite exciting!

“Quicksilver” is an old term for mercury, which is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Our rollercoaster ride was inspired by New Almaden Quicksilver Mines, which were established in 1847 and located in southern San Jose about 30 miles north of our park.

The mines are now closed, but between 1850 and 1875, miners dug up millions of pounds of red cinnabar rocks, hauled them out on rolling carts, and extracted liquid mercury from the ore. Mercury (or quicksilver) was very important during the California Gold Rush, because it forms a chemical bond with tiny gold particles so they can be separated from crushed rock or river sediment.

Our thrilling mine coaster does not contain any actual quicksilver—but it does move quite quickly as you speed through dips and turns surrounded by nearly 600 trees!

R is for Rainbow Garden Boat Ride

Ever dreamed of floating in a flower? The Rainbow Garden Boat Ride takes you on a gently rocking round boat through a spectacular annual color garden full of brightly colored blooms.

On this ride you can also spot some fun and unusual topiaries. Those are shrubs that have been carefully shaped and trimmed over years to become living sculptures. While you’re on the ride, see if you can spot a friendly deer, a cuddly teddy bear, and even some buzzing bumblebees!

What else starts with “R” at Gilroy Gardens?

Redwood Trees (found throughout the park)
Revolving Door Tree
Royelle the Garlic Bulb Mascot

S is for …Several Things!

With these ABC blogs we’ve been striving to spotlight one solo attraction for each letter, but there are just so many “S” options, it’s hard to select just one!

Which of these three “S” rides is your favorite?

Sky Trail Monorail
Enjoy sky-high views of the Monarch Garden greenhouse and Mission Plaza on this monorail ride through the western side of the park. The entrance is located near Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster.

South County Backroads
One this popular ride, you get to choose your ride: either an old-timey roadster from the 1920s or a classic Chevy sportscar from the 1950s. Either way, you’ll take a winding road trip back in time through the “Valley of the Heart’s Delight,” the way Santa Clara Valley used to look back when our founder Michael Bonfante was just a boy. Just be sure not to go too fast, or you might get pulled over for speeding!

Strawberry Sundae
Where else can you take a spin in a giant strawberry? This gentle ride is fun for all ages and makes a great place to take a family photo. Strawberries are a sweet summertime treat grown by both home gardeners and farmers in this part of California. During the summer months, local fruit stands are full of sweet, juicy, fresh-from-the farm berries that almost melt in your mouth.

Some other things that start with “S” at Gilroy Gardens:

Stay tuned for the next installment: TUV!

Natural Science Days: Powered by the Passion of our Docents

Posted on October 1, 2026October 2, 2026 by Angelica Rodezno

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Natural Science Days: Powered by the Passion of our Docents

Our incredible volunteers make learning interesting, interactive…and fun!

Natural Science Days at Gilroy Gardens

The popular Natural Science Days (NSD) field trip program at Gilroy Gardens is held on select dates every spring and provides a unique chance for elementary school-aged kids to learn more about nature and the environment while having fun in our beautiful park.

Working in groups, kids move through six interactive learning stations that spark curiosity and creativity. Every station is designed for kids to have fun while learning something new!

Plants with Funny Shapes
The Food We Grow and Eat
Food Chains
Clean Energy
Flower Anatomy
You Rock!

This event is a great experience for kids, teachers, and parent chaperones—but it requires a LOT of hard work to host each year. Our volunteer docents are the ones who donate their time, energy, and enthusiasm all year long to make the magic happen in April and May!

Learn More

Docents Do a LOT!

Each year, about 75 volunteer docents put in more than 1,000 hours of time preparing, planning, and hosting Natural Science Days, which features high-quality curriculum and immersive, hands-on learning stations.

During the event, some docents serve as greeters. They welcome classes to the park and help everyone find their way to all the different learning stations. With hundreds of kids visiting each day, that is a very important job!

Other docents serve as teachers, educating the students (and grownups!) about various topics that include renewable energy, the food chain, and flowers and plants. Many docents are retired educators or horticulture experts, and others are just passionate about science and learning. All of them know how to make each topic interesting and engaging, providing hands-on experiences that make kids excited to explore.

Making Education Exciting and Fun

Docent Diana Wright says kids are always “wowed” by the live animals at the Food Chains station. Those include not just cute and cuddly mammals, but also reptiles, birds, insects, and arachnids.

While working this station one year, a wide-eyed kid told Diana, ‘I’m going to always remember Gilroy Gardens, because it’s where I touched a snake for the very first time.” And then the girl’s friend chimed in that “It felt soft and smooth…like cold bunny fur!”

Another volunteer docent, Patty Porter, often leads the Clean Energy station, where she shows students how solar panels collect and provide energy. She loves seeing the “light bulb” (no pun intended) go off—like when one student said to her, “Now I understand how light from the sun is used to create energy!”

One of Patty’s favorite memories is when a young girl came up to her and said she was so excited about clean energy that she was going to go home and learn more about it. She hoped that she would someday become a scientist who discovers a new way to harvest resources that create clean energy.

Fueling that kind of passion for learning and nature is exactly what our docents love to do!

Group of four girls in green goggles smiling while holding rocks

Lifelong Learning…at Any Age

All our docents agree that they end up learning just as much as the kids do during Natural Science Days! The experience serves as a reminder for all ages of how important it is to appreciate the benefits and beauty of nature—and to protect it for future generations.

Volunteers also learn that there are many kids who have little, if any, contact with the natural world in their daily lives. Without experiences like NSD and beautiful spaces like Gilroy Gardens, they simply cannot appreciate the value of nature. NSD offers a safe, fun environment to introduce their minds to natural science and develop a reverence for the resources that nature provides for us all.

Patty Porter adds that one other important lesson she has learned (from working at the Food Chains station) is that “it is very difficult to catch a chicken!”

Children and man pointing up in the air while they smile

Want to Become a Volunteer Docent?

We’re always looking for more volunteers to help during Natural Science Days (and all year round) at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park!

All of our 100+ docents contribute their unique talents, perspectives, and a shared passion for creating fun educational experiences. They enrich the lives of our guests and embody the heart and soul of Gilroy Gardens.

If you are interested in volunteering for Natural Science Days, please fill out the interest form on our website at GilroyGardens.org/docents/. Once submitted, someone from our Docent Program will be in touch with you to discuss next steps.

BECOME A DOCENT

Group of guests walking across a bridge with water flowing under the bridge

Sign Up Now for Natural Science Days!

Natural Science Days at Gilroy Gardens are field trip experiences full of hands-on learning, smiles, and moments that kids remember for years. Each station helps students see how everything in nature connects, from the food they eat to the rocks beneath their feet.

K-5 teachers and home school families are encouraged to sign up now, as dates do fill up fast for this popular event that combines fun and learning in our beautifully landscaped gardens.

Natural Science Days provide a unique partnership between Gilroy Gardens and all schools in the Gilroy Unified School District. Many other California schools find our Natural Science Days program worth a longer trip to give their students the unique learning opportunity that only Gilroy Gardens provides.

The Natural Science Days program meets Next Generation Science Standards for California Schools (2015) as well as California Common Core State Standards in ELA/Literacy and Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts: Visual Arts Content Standards.

Learn more and book your learning adventure today:

NATURAL SCIENCE DAYS

Sustaining our Educational Mission

Gilroy Gardens is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization and a 36-acre botanical garden that provides learning experiences for thousands of children and families every year. The park is home to more than 10,000 trees, eight distinct gardens, and 19 of the last remaining “Circus Trees,” found nowhere else on earth.

Although we are known for our beloved theme park rides and attractions, we continually strive to serve our education-based mission: “To educate and inspire families, especially children, to appreciate horticulture and the importance of trees in our lives, by providing fun and memories in a beautiful garden setting.”

Sustaining our world-class educational programming—and the extraordinary “living laboratory” that makes it possible—requires year-round fundraising and a dedicated team of volunteers. If you’re interested in helping support our mission, please visit our website to learn more.

SUPPORT GILROY GARDENS

Gilroy Gardens Alphabet, Chapter 4: LMNOP

Posted on August 26, 2026August 27, 2026 by marcos

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Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 4: LMNOP

Come along on our journey through the alphabet at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park!
This time, we’re exploring the letters L, M, N, O and P.

L is for Lakeside Splash

Life is good at Lakeside Splash—a fun water play area designed for little kids who love to splash, spin, spray and play! From this lovely location, you can look out over the scenic Coyote Lake and Bonfante River below.

L is for “luxury,” which is what you’ll experience as you lounge lazily inside one of our colorful cabanas. Each cabana (available for daily rental) comes with comfy couches, a table, a mini-refrigerator stocked with cold drinks, and even a 32-inch TV.

It’s a great place for everyone to take a break from all the splashy fun and just lay around. You can even enjoy tasty BBQ food delivered right to your lounge chair from the nearby Lakeside Smokehouse Restaurant!

L is also for “learning,” and interactive water features like sprinkler towers and a water maze are a great way for kids to learn about water while playing in it!

What else begins with “L” at Gilroy Gardens?

Labor Day Weekend

M is for Monarch Garden

Monarch Garden is a massive 60-foot tall greenhouse that contains many, many tropical and sub-tropical trees, shrubs, flowers and vines.

It’s a must-see any time you visit Gilroy Gardens—and can be viewed from both Bonfante Railroad and the SkyTrail Monorail rides!

Some of the interesting fruit-bearing plants in this garden include Avocado, Banana, Coffee, Lemon, Lemon and Mango trees. You can also find Banyan, Date Palm, Hibiscus, Jacaranda, and Silk Trees—and even the giant-leaved “Dinosaur Food” (Gunnera tinctoria)!

Named for the butterflies that frequent areas of nearby Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove, this garden also features a Monarch Butterfly exhibit. Here you can learn more about these magnificent creatures. During certain times of the year, you might even get to see caterpillars transforming into butterflies—an incredible process known as metamorphosis.

What else begins with “M” at Gilroy Gardens?

Members (they help keep the magic growing!)
Memorial Day Weekend
Mother’s Day Tea Party
Mushroom Swing

N is for North Pole Nights

North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens is a nighttime event full of wintertime fun and a sprinkling of holiday magic. This very merry experience includes jolly characters, fun live shows, ice skating under the stars, festive food and drinks, magical light displays, and much, much more.

In the live musical show The Magic of Santa, you’ll meet Rudy the Polar Bear, who uses Santa’s magic scanner to see who’s been nice and who’s been…well…not-so-nice. You can even take a ride on Rudy’s Road Trip to see if you’re on the naughty or nice list!

While you’re here, be sure to visit Santa in his workshop, climb aboard the Tinsel Groove Train, and “ooh” and “ah” as you walk through the North Pole Light Tunnel. Next, lace up your ice skates and glide across the ice beneath the night sky.

You can even write a note to Santa—and send your letter right from the North Pole Post Office!

What else begins with “N” at Gilroy Gardens?

O is for Oak Park Playground

Even with all the fun rides, water slides, and other exciting attractions at Gilroy Gardens, our Oak Park Playground is an all-time favorite with kids of all ages. Tucked away amongst the trees, this whimsical forest-themed playground is a place where you can climb, slide, and explore to your heart’s content.

With rope ladders, bridges, stairs, and twisting slides, it’s the perfect place to play chase or tag with your friends while the grownups enjoy a peaceful break in the shade.

FUN FACT: In central California, the three most common oak trees are the Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), the Interior Live Oak (Quercus lobata) and the Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii).

Other things that start with “O” at Gilroy Gardens:

P is for Paddle Boats

One of the most unique attractions at Gilroy Gardens isn’t really a “ride” at all—because you have to provide your own pedal power to make these giant Duck and Swan Paddle Boats glide across the water!

You can board boats at the Coyote Lake dock. If it’s a busy day at the park, get in line early. Be sure to strap on a life vest for safety!

Depending on what boats are available at the time, you may get to choose between a big yellow duck, a green-headed Mallard duck, or an elegant white swan. If you look carefully, you might even spot a single Canadian Goose boat—that one was made especially for the former manager at Gilroy Gardens, who came from Canada!

Then hop right in and start paddling. As you make your way across the lake, you can get a unique look at the waterfalls, trees and gardens that surround the lake. Keep an eye out for funny-shaped topiaries outside the Rainbow Garden Boats Ride.

Be sure to enjoy the peace and quiet when you’re all by yourself out in the middle of this pretty lake!

Check out these other fun attractions at Gilroy Gardens that start with “P”:

Happy Birthdays are Blooming at Gilroy Gardens!

Posted on March 26, 2026May 26, 2026 by marcos

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Happy Birthdays are Blooming at Gilroy Gardens!

We LOVE celebrating birthdays here at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park! In fact, we built “The Party Place” right in the middle of our park so kids of all ages would have the perfect place to celebrate while enjoying all the fun rides and attractions.

While you get ready to plan your own birthday party, we thought it might be fun to learn more about birthday celebrations from all around the world!

How Do YOU Say “Happy Birthday”?

Practice saying these birthday greetings from around the world:

Chinese: 生日快乐
French: Joyeux anniversaire
German: Alles Gute zum Geburtstag [Everything good on your birthday]
Italian: Buon compleanno
Japanese: 誕生日おめでとう
Spanish: Feliz cumpleaños
Tagalog: Maligayang kaarawan
Vietnamese: Chúc mừng sinh nhật

Fun Birthday Traditions

Here in America, common birthday traditions include giving gifts, singing “Happy Birthday,” and blowing out candles on a cake. Other countries have their own unique traditions, including:

Brazil: Family and friends will pull on your ear lobes—one tug for each year
Canada: You might get “greased” with butter on your nose to ward off bad luck
Jamaica: Birthday kids might get a surprise dusting of flour—from head to toe!
Mexico: Everyone takes a turn trying to break open a colorful piñata filled with candy
Nepal: Brightly-colored rice yogurt gets smeared on your forehead

Tasty Birthday Treats

Many different cultures enjoy different types of cakes on birthdays. But there are a few different food items you might encounter at birthday parties in other parts of the world:

Unlimited visits for the rest of 2026
FREE parking on every visit a $25 value each time
FREE admission to all Signature Events Voyage to the Islands, Cherry Jubilee, Carnival Nights, The Great Big BOO, North Pole Nights, and New Year’s Eve
25% off food and merchandise
Bring a Friend FREE every Friday
Access to Member only events and exclusive discount offers

Want a good giggle? Check out this funny video from HiHo Kids:
Kids Try Birthday Food from Around the World

Plan Your BEST Birthday Party Ever at The Party Place!

Got a special celebration coming up? Bring all your best friends out to The Party Place at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park for the BEST birthday party ever! (And tell Mom and Dad, it’ll also be the EASIEST birthday party ever.)

Here’s everything you get when you book your party at Gilroy Gardens (March through September):

Full-day park admission for 10-25 guests
Access to all rides and water play areas in operation on day of your visit
2-hour party in The Party Place! with balloons and birthday-themed decorations
4 picnic tables that seat 8-10 people each, with shade umbrellas
Pizza and soft drinks, plus plates, cups, and napkins
Vouchers for Pitch ’n’ Win games
Optional add-ons: Platter of cookies, chocolate cupcakes, extra game vouchers, additional pizzas, or Dippin’ Dots vouchers

Reserve your date and time now—and get ready for a celebration to remember at Gilroy Gardens!

Note: If you have an even bigger bash in mind, contact Group Sales to plan your event for groups of 50 or more.

Book My Birthday Party

Bust-a-Gut Birthday Jokes

Keep your party guests giggling with these funny birthday jokes!

What do you always get on your birthday?
Another year older.
Why didn’t the teddy bear want any cake?
He was stuffed.
Why do we put candles on the top of birthday cakes?
Because it’s too hard to put them on the bottom.
What did the pirate say on his 80th birthday?
“Aye, matey!”
Where do you get a birthday present for your cat?
From a cat-alogue.
Why didn’t the pony sing “Happy Birthday”?
She was a little horse.

Sources:

DuoLingo: How People Celebrate Birthday All Around the World

Little Passports: 12 Birthday Celebrations Around the World

Readers Digest: 102 Birthday Jokes That Are Better Than Cake

Gilroy Gardens Alphabet, Chapter 3: HIJK

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Angelica Rodezno

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Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 3: HIJK

H is for Holly Garden

Holly Garden is one of six themed gardens at the park. It’s a charming “pathway garden” that’s a little tricky to find, as it’s hidden away on the western end of Coyote Lake (look for the entrance across from The Green Barn).

The Holly Garden is definitely worth looking for, as it features a unique collection of over 20 different varieties of holly trees, holly shrubs, and whimsical holly topiaries.

This garden was designed to show the variety in holly leaf sizes and growth habits. Did you know that hollies can range from low-growing 12-inch shrubs all the way up to full-size trees of 75 feet or more? Holly plants can be either evergreen or deciduous, but they all produce colorful berries in the fall.

One of our favorite secret places in the Holly Garden are the hidden observation decks where you can catch stunning views of the Lily Pond and waterfalls cascading into Coyote Lake. These are great places to relax, enjoy a little peace and quiet, and take some amazing family photos!

What else starts with “H” at Gilroy Gardens?

Hall’s Mercantile: The best place to shop for Gilroy Gardens souvenirs

History: Many park attractions are inspired by local history, including Sugar Plum Farm, South County Backroads, Quicksilver Express, and San Juan Grill

I is for Illions Supreme Carousel

This fan-favorite carousel, one of the most ornate ever built, was created by Marcus Charles Illions. Born in Russia c. 1871, Illions honed his woodcarving skills in Germany and England. He later moved to America and became a master carver of wooden carousel horses at Coney Island in New York. He became so good at his craft that the New York Times called him “The Michelangelo of carousel carvers.”

The Illions Supreme Carousel at Gilroy Gardens was one of three in the “Supreme Carousel Series,” built in the 1920s, and was once part of the Los Angeles County Fair. The 48 horses are fiberglass replicas of the wooden originals. The rest of the carousel includes 1,200 lights, 64 beveled glass mirrors, 96 carved figures, and 2 dragon chariots. Park staff spent more than 8,500 hours (and over 3 years!) to completely restore this carousel to its former glory.

FUN ACTIVITIES: A single original wooden horse from an M.C. Illions carousel is worth over $50,000 today!

What else starts with “I” at Gilroy Gardens?

Voyage to the Islands (an all-new event coming May 2-31)

ICEEs and ice cream (found at Oasis Bar, South County Cones, Sugar Plum Farm, and Sweet Station)

J is for Jubilee

To be more specific, the Cherry Jubilee! This award-winning festival of food and family fun is filled with cherry-infused delights, live entertainment from The Merry Cherry Bunch, CherryDome Challenges, and so much more!

Cherry Jubilee debuted at Gilroy Gardens in 2025 and won the IAAPA Brass Ring Award for Best New Food & Beverage Event. This award celebrates innovation, originality, and impact in the global attractions industry and recognizes special events that elevate the guest experience in new and exciting ways.

Cherry Jubilee returns to Gilroy Gardens June 5 through July 5, 2026. This “cher-rific” event is included with regular park admission and is FREE for Gilroy Gardens Premium Members.

Want to learn more about the sweet fruit that inspired this event? Check out our blog: Let’s Learn About Cherries!

What else starts with “J” at Gilroy Gardens?

Japanese Maples (you’ll find over 40 of them growing in Claudia’s Garden!)

K is for Keep the Magic Growing!

More than just an amusement park, Gilroy Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution whose mission is to educate and inspire families, especially children, to appreciate horticulture and the importance of trees in our lives by providing fun and memories in a beautiful garden setting.

Our park is supported by park Memberships (which are tax-deductible donations) as well as public entrance fees, grants from local, regional, state and national governments, and private foundations. That vital support allows us to maintain this beautiful park and continue expanding the quantity and quality of educational projects.

Every visit and every Membership (and every kid who loves Gilroy Gardens) helps keep our gardens — and our mission — growing for generations to come.

If you’d like to join the family, learn more about becoming a Premium Member today!

What else starts with “K” at Gilroy Gardens?

Teriyaki Chicken Kebobs at Uncle John’s Grill

Kickin’ Cherry BBQ Wings – available exclusively during Cherry Jubilee

Catch up with our other Gilroy Gardens Alphabet blogs—and stay tuned for more to come!

A-B-C-D

E-F-G

Gilroy Gardens Alphabet, Chapter 2: EFG

Posted on February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 by marcos

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Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 2: EFG

Our A-to-Z journey through Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park continues! Each month in 2026, we’re highlighting a new set of letters and sharing the rides, attractions, and experiences that make our park so special.
This time, we’re exploring E, F, and G. From our nonprofit park’s eco-friendly efforts, to magical family memories under the stars and a favorite park mascot, these letters are full of fun and discovery.

E is for Environment

Gilroy Gardens began as a tree nursery, and our founder Michael Bonfante’s love for nature is still at the heart of everything we do today. Even as we’ve grown into a family theme park, we’ve never lost our “roots” (get it?) when it comes to caring for the environment.

Gilroy Gardens is now home to over 10,000 trees (including the world-famous Circus Trees), and the lush green canopy they provide helps keep guests cool in the warm summer months—while providing a natural home for countless birds and other animals. Wherever possible, the trees and other plants in the park are watered using recycled water.

You’ll also find many water features throughout the park. Guests can splash and play at Water Oasis and Lakeside Splash, talk a walk through thundering Bonfante Falls, or enjoy a relaxing ride across Coyote Lake on our Paddle Boats.

At all of these attractions, sustainability flows too. There are powerful pumps that recycle all the water used in the park’s creeks and waterfalls. Both Water Oasis and Lakeside Splash have closed micro-watershed systems that clean, recycle and reuse water—so not a drop goes to waste! Kids can even learn more about the water cycle and ways to conserve water from the educational signs throughout these areas.

FUN FACT: The pump in Bonfante Falls recycles 5,000 gallons of water every minute!

Gilroy Gardens is a very unique place “where fun grows on trees”—and we remain dedicated to protecting the environment while creating unforgettable family fun.

What else starts with “E” at Gilroy Gardens?

Axel Erlandson (the man who created the Circus Trees)
Easter Celebration
Explorer Program Self-Guided Field Trips
The Emblem Tree (on the left side of Bonfante Falls)

F is for Family Camp Nights

Have you ever loved a theme park so much that you wished you could stay all night? At Gilroy Gardens, that wish comes true with Family Camp Nights.

Families pitch tents together, kids make new friends, and everyone enjoys a cozy dinner before heading into the park for a family-friendly movie (and popcorn!) under the stars. After a night of camping, the morning kicks off with some hands-on crafts and a tasty breakfast to fuel up for a full day of riding, exploring, and soaking up the fun inside the park.

Family Camp Nights at Gilroy Gardens are part sleepover, part theme park day, and all about making unforgettable family memories.

FUN ACTIVITIES: Looking for fun ways to keep the kids entertained during your next Family Camp Night? Check out some DIY camping games and activity ideas from Sugar Creek Glen Camping to get inspired!

What else can you find that starts with “F” at Gilroy Gardens?

G is for Gil

Meet Gil (short for Gilbert), one of our popular garlic bulb mascots and a true Gilroy Gardens favorite! Gil first appeared in 2007, born from the magic of the Santa Clara Valley’s rich soil.

Gil loves trees, especially the Four-Legged Giant you’ll spot in the park. And he really loves bringing smiles (and even some giggles) to everyone he meets. Gil also has a little sister named Roy (short for Royelle), and you may spot her in the park from time to time too. She’s the one with the glamorous sunglasses and garlic braid.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Gil and Roy during your next visit. You never know where they might pop up!

What else starts with “G” at Gilroy Gardens?

Garlic Fries (get ‘em at Castroville Corners)
Garlic Twirl
Gilroy Reads Program
The Great Big BOO!
The Green Barn
Group Events

Stay tuned for Chapter 3 of the Gilroy Gardens Alphabet, coming in March 2026!

Cherry Jubilee Wins the IAAFA Brass Ring Award

Posted on February 13, 2026February 19, 2026 by marcos

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Cherry Jubilee Wins the Prestigious IAAPA Brass Ring Award!

We are thrilled to share some exciting news — Cherry Jubilee at Gilroy Gardens has won the IAAPA Brass Ring Excellence Award for Best New Food & Beverage Event!

Announced in February 2026, this prestigious honor from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) recognizes innovation, originality, and excellence across the global attractions industry. Cherry Jubilee stood out as a flavorful and fun-filled celebration that elevated the guest experience in truly “cherr-ific” ways.

A Sweet Celebration of Local Flavor

First introduced at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in 2025, Cherry Jubilee quickly became a guest favorite. Inspired by the rich agricultural heritage of Gilroy and the local cherry harvest, the month-long festival transforms the park into a vibrant celebration of food, family, and fun.

Returning June 5 – July 5, 2026, Cherry Jubilee features:

Cherry-Infused Delights: From sweet treats to savory surprises, guests can enjoy a mouthwatering variety of limited-time cherry food and drinks
Live Entertainment: High-energy performances and festive music add to the lively atmosphere
Interactive Games and Challenges: Family-friendly activities bring out everyone’s playful side
Cheerful Cherry Characters: Delightful themed characters pop up throughout the park for smiles, shows, and photo opportunities

Cherry Jubilee blends Gilroy Gardens’ horticultural roots with immersive entertainment, creating an experience that is as meaningful as it is delicious.

The Meaning Behind the Brass Ring

The IAAPA Brass Ring Excellence Award draws inspiration from a nostalgic amusement park tradition. In early carousel rides, guests would reach for a brass ring — a symbol of luck, accomplishment, and triumph. Today, IAAPA honors that legacy by presenting Brass Ring Awards to the very best in the attractions industry worldwide.

IAAPA President & CEO Jakob Wahl shared, “The Brass Ring Excellence Awards represent the highest professional honor presented to an IAAPA member facility, recognizing those who are raising the bar and setting new standards for the industry worldwide.”

A Proud Moment for Gilroy Gardens

Winning this award is a very big deal for all of us at Gilroy Gardens!

“Gilroy Gardens is thrilled to be honored with this award,” said Hoa Minh Le, President and General Manager at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. “It is a meaningful recognition of our team’s hard work, innovation, and commitment to giving our guests new ways to enjoy our beautiful park—and celebrate the local cherry harvest.”

This recognition reflects the creativity and dedication of the entire Gilroy Gardens team and reinforces the park’s mission to provide unique, family-friendly experiences rooted in agriculture, nature, and community.

We had so much fun hosting the first-ever Cherry Jubilee last year and are excited to bring it back for even more “cherr-ific” fun in 2026!

Join in the Fun in 2026!

Gilroy Gardens reopens for 2026 on Saturday, March 28, and we can’t wait to welcome families back for another year of memory-making moments.

Come play this spring and be sure to mark your calendars for the return of Cherry Jubilee, June 5 – July 5, 2026, to experience all the award-winning food, flavors, and family fun for yourself!

The best way to visit is with a 2026 Premium Membership. Become a Member now to enjoy unlimited admission, FREE parking, in-park discounts and more for the entire 2026 season—including exciting events like the award-winning Cherry Jubilee.

Hope to see you here “cherry” soon!

Get Tickets & Memberships

Gilroy Gardens Alphabet, Chapter 1: ABCD

Posted on January 30, 2026February 19, 2026 by marcos

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Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 1: ABCD

Since there are 26 letters in the alphabet and we’re now in the year 2026, we thought it would be fun to highlight every letter in the alphabet with some of the fun rides and attractions here at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. Each month we’ll feature a different section of the alphabet.

So cuddle up in your favorite storytime spot…and join us as we begin our journey from A to Z!

A is for Apple & Worm

Let’s start at the very beginning! You probably all know that “A” is for apple—and here at Gilroy Gardens, we have a very large apple being nibbled on by a very large worm!

Apple & Worm is one of the original rides that has been at the park since Opening Day in 2001. It’s a popular first ride for little ones, as they get to ride inside the giant smiling green worm (who actually looks more like a caterpillar) as he slowly makes his way around what’s left of the apple. How many seeds can you count inside the apple core?

FUN FACT: Once an apple tree is planted, it usually needs to grow for about 4-5 years before it begins producing fruit. But after that, the tree might live as long as 100 years!

What else can you find at Gilroy Gardens that starts with “A”?

Artichoke Dip
Arch Tree
Art Studio (inside The Green Barn)

B is for Banana Split

If you’re big enough and brave enough, you’ll have a blast going on the Banana Split ride at Gilroy Gardens!

Prepare to hold on tight as you swing back and forth, going higher and higher, on the biggest banana you’ve ever seen!

And did you know you can also find actual bananas growing here at Gilroy Gardens? It’s just one of many tropical fruit-bearing trees found in our Monarch Garden greenhouse. Be sure to check it out and see if you can see any baby bananas growing!

FUN ACTIVITY: No matter how old you are, bananas are always a tasty treat! Check out some fun Favorite Ripe Banana Recipes (courtesy of Yummy Toddler Food) that you can make at home.

What else can you find that starts with “B”?

C is for Circus Trees

When you visit Gilroy Gardens, you may notice some funny-looking trees throughout the park. These are our world-famous Circus Trees—and you won’t see anything like them anywhere else in the world!

The Circus Trees are living trees that were originally twisted and trained into crazy shapes by a man named Axel Erlandson. Some of these trees are almost 100 years old!

Some of the Circus Trees are actually multiple trees that have grown together over the years into amazing living sculptures, like the Arch Tree and the Four-Legged Giant.

The Basket Tree is actually made up of six Sycamore trees that were woven together into a “basket” shape. We love it so much, we made it part of the Gilroy Gardens logo!

After Mr. Erlandson died, his trees were left behind up in the mountains with nobody to take care of them. Michael Bonfante and some other tree-loving friends carefully dug them up, loaded them onto trucks, and moved them to Gilroy Gardens. They were replanted here and now can be enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year!

LEARN MORE: Go to the Park History page to learn more about these fascinating trees—and the exciting rescue mission to bring them to Gilroy Gardens!

What else can you find that starts with “C”?

D is for Dinosaur

D is indeed for Dinosaur—and did you know we have one right here at Gilroy Gardens?

“Rocko” the baby Triceratops was originally carved from a 20-ton serpentine boulder in 1988 by rock sculptor John Cody, who worked that on site at Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California. Guests got to see “Rocko” come to life as part of the park’s “Kingdom of the Dinosaurs” attraction.

After spending many years hanging out in Camp Snoopy at Knott’s Berry Farm, Rocko was donated and moved to his new home at Gilroy Gardens. You can now find him that in front of The Green Barn, which is a perfect place to explore nature, science, and art.

(And yes, Rocko’s very friendly, so you are welcome to climb on him if you want. However, we don’t recommend doing that if you ever encounter any actual live dinosaurs!)

What else can you find that starts with “D”?

Stay tuned for Chapter 2 of the Gilroy Gardens Alphabet, coming in February 2026!

Natural Science Days

Posted on December 3, 2025October 2, 2026 by marcos

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Science is in Full Bloom!

Discover Natural Science Days at Gilroy Gardens

Explore Our Natural Science Day Learning Stations

At Gilroy Gardens, learning and fun grow side by side! Our Natural Science Days field trip program (held each year on Fridays in May) provides a unique chance for kids—and grownups—to learn more about trees, plants and the environment while having fun in our beautiful “living laboratory.”

During Natural Science Days, students get hands-on with nature through exciting, interactive learning stations that spark curiosity and creativity. Every station is designed for kids to have fun while learning something new!

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at a few of our most popular learning stations—and also provide some crafts and projects you can do at home to reinforce some of the same scientific principles. If you do try any of these, please take a photo and post on your favorite social media channel with #GilroyGardens and #ShowYourScience!

Fun Fact: More than 28,500 elementary school students have participated in Natural Science Days since its inception.

Learning Station #1:
Create a Food Chain

Kids love food—so this is always one of our most popular learning stations during Natural Science Days. Students discover how all living things are connected through what they eat. From plants that get their energy from the sun to animals that depend on those plants, everything in nature has a role to play. Students see how energy moves from one link to the next—and learn how each creature helps keep the environment balanced.

Try This at Home: Food Chain Mobile Craft

You’ll Need: Construction paper, scissors, markers, string, and a hanger or stick.

Steps:

Think of your favorite insect, animal, or plant, and then think about how it gets energy. Then think about what other organisms eat it. This is the “food chain.” (For example, grass is a plant that gets energy from sunlight and water. Deer get energy from eating grass. And mountain lions get energy from eating deer.)
Make a drawing of each part of the food chain on a small piece of paper.
Label each drawing. What is it called? Is it a producer, consumer, or predator? You can ask a grownup for help with this part.
Cut out your drawings and punch holes in the top.
Connect them with string in order, showing which direction the energy flows.
Hang up your finished mobile and show off your science skills!
Something to think about: What would happen if one part of your food chain disappears?

Learning Station #2: Plant Parts

This colorful station at Natural Science Days digs into the science behind plants! Students get to learn about the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds that make up the plants we see every day—and discover how each part helps a plant grow strong and healthy.

Fun Fact: You’ll Need: a few celery stalks (with leaves if possible), 3-4 clear cups of water, and food coloring.

Try This at Home: “Drink Up!” Celery Experiment

You’ll Need: A few celery stalks (with leaves if possible), 3-4 clear cups of water, food coloring

Steps

Fill each cup with water and then add a few drops of food coloring. Use different colors in different cups.
Place one celery stalk into each cup, then wait a few hours or overnight.
Watch the colored water travel up through the stem and into the leaves!

Learning Station #3: You Rock!

Get ready to dig into geology fun! At this hands-on Natural Science Days learning station, students explore different types of rocks and minerals, learning how they’re formed and what makes each one unique. They’ll even discover that rocks can tell stories about Earth’s history.

Try This at Home: Go on a Rock Hunt Adventure

Walk around your yard (or, with a grownup, to a nearby park or other natural area). Collect three rocks and compare them. Are they smooth, rough, shiny, or dull? Try sorting them by color or texture, just like a real geologist!

Fun Fact: If you find a really interesting rock and would like to learn more about it, bring it in to The Nature Exchange inside The Green Barn at Gilroy Gardens! Our friendly docents can help you identify what it is, look at it up close under our powerful microscopes, and even trade it for another natural treasure from our collection. Open spring through fall.

Keep the Learning Growing

Natural Science Days at Gilroy Gardens are full of hands-on learning, smiles, and moments that kids remember for years. Each station helps students see how everything in nature connects, from the food they eat to the rocks beneath their feet.

If you’d like to experience all these learning stations (and more) for yourself, encourage your teacher to sign up and bring your whole class out in May. It’s an unforgettable field trip that combines fun and learning in the great outdoors.

Dates fill up fast, so don’t wait! Learn more and book your visit today:

Natural Science Days

If you can’t make it on our official Natural Science Days, then check out our Explorer Program, which offers similar hands-on educational adventures in a self-guided format that your group can do any time during the regular season. It’s the perfect way to keep learning growing all year long!

Goodbye 2025—and Hello 2026!

Posted on October 21, 2025November 4, 2025 by marcos

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Goodbye 2025—and Hello 2026!

Reflections and Resources for a Fun Family New Year’s Eve

Our 25th Anniversary Year in Review

2025 was certainly an exciting year here at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park! Here are just some of the highlights:

Our milestone 25th Anniversary Celebration with a musical show, vintage displays, and the return of some of our original mascots
Hundreds of elementary school students getting to learn in our “living laboratory” during Natural Science Days
The first-ever Cherry Jubilee, a “cherr-ific” summer event full of fantastic flavors and family fun
Exciting new acts during Carnival Nights including acrobats and bubble artists
All the sweet, silly and not-too-spooky fun of our popular Halloween event, The Great Big BOO
Large groups getting together for company events, picnics, school dances and other special celebrations in our gorgeous venues
A brand-new Explorer Program offering self-guided, hands-on educational adventures throughout the park
The debut of The Party Place and the return of our popular Birthday Party packages
More than 1,700 campers joining us for unforgettable overnight adventures during our Camp Nights events

We are so grateful to all of our Members and guests who made this (and every) year possible—and we’re excited to keep the fun growing in 2026!

Counting Down to 2026

Speaking of 2026, we hope you’ll be bringing the whole family to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Gilroy Gardens on December 31 (4pm – midnight). Enjoy the park’s exciting rides, North Pole Nights holiday fun, and a DJ Dance Party with specialty appetizers and drinks. Then join the countdown to midnight and our big fireworks show over Coyote Lake!

But if you’re not able to join us this year, don’t worry. We’ve pulled together some fun ideas and tips you can try at home to keep the whole family smiling until the clock strikes midnight.

Fun Family New Year’s Eve Tip #1: Prepare Some Tasty Treats

The chefs at Gilroy Gardens have a delicious New Year’s Eve menu planned with savory snacks and scrumptious desserts. For home cooks of all ages, we’ve got a Pepperoni Pizza Cups recipe the whole family will love! These bite-sized treats are fun to create together and perfect for fueling up before the big countdown.

Pepperoni Pizza Cups
Recipe from The Country Cook

Ingredients

8 ounce can crescent roll dough
1½ cups shredded mozzarella
½ cup pizza sauce, plus more for dipping
½ cup mini pepperoni (or regular pepperoni cut into quarters)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
5 basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray 8 sections of a muffin tin with baking spray.
Roll out the dough on a clean work surface and cut it into 8 equal-sized sections.
Carefully press the dough into the greased sections of the muffin tin, making sure the corners of the dough overlap the sides.
Add half of the cheese to the bottom of the cups.
Evenly distribute the pizza sauce on top of the cheese.
Add the pepperoni evenly.
Top with the remaining cheese.
Take the corners of the dough and fold them over the filling to form a package.
In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, garlic, and chopped basil. Brush the tops of the cups with the butter mixture.
Bake for 14-15 minutes until golden brown.
Pop them out of the pan immediately. (If left too long in the pan, they can get soggy on the bottom.)
Serve with more pizza sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

You can use store bought or homemade pizza sauce.
Switch it up and use any of your favorite pizza toppings–just don’t overfill the cups.
These can be frozen for 2-3 months.

Dangling white lights hanging from the ceiling and people dancing at Events Plaza at night

Fun Family New Year’s Eve Tip #2: Get Your Groove On

At Gilroy Gardens, we have a professional DJ spinning tunes at our New Year’s Eve Dance Party all the way until midnight. When you’re at home, you can turn up the music and keep the energy going with your own family dance party!

Just queue up the Gilroy Gardens Dance Party playlist on Spotify for family-friendly songs that are perfect for games like musical chairs or a silly round of “Finish the Lyrics.”

The main thing is to just keep moving, laughing, and making memories together!

Several children smiling while playing a tossing game.

Fun Family New Year’s Eve Tip #3: Make Every Minute Count

Of course, there’s plenty to do during the New Year’s Eve Celebration at Gilroy Gardens, including exciting rides, games, ice skating, a DJ dance party, and more. But even if you’re at home, you can plan some fun activities so waiting for midnight won’t feel quite so long.

Keep everyone excited (and awake!) with these fun activities:

Blow up balloons and take turns popping one every hour to mark the countdown.
Create a time capsule (inspired by the Gilroy Gardens 25th Anniversary time capsule) with mementos of 2025 that you can open up in 5, 10, or even 25 years from now.
Get creative with our downloadable coloring pages.
Make New Year’s resolutions as a family—and dream big for 2026!

Fun Family New Year’s Eve Tip #4: Make a Magnificent Mess at Midnight

When the clock finally strikes 12:00, it’s time to celebrate!

Skip the store-bought supplies and make your own fun with DIY confetti poppers. These are a festive way to ring in the New Year and shower your family in sparkles and smiles.

All you need are some toilet paper tubes, balloons, duct tape, paint or markers, and some homemade “confetti” (such as paper hole punches, glitter, sequins or little pompoms).

Check out the Instagram reel from @melodyinthemaking to follow the simple steps.

(And don’t worry—you can leave the cleanup until the next day!)

Fun Family New Year’s Eve Tip #5: Discover Science with a Spark

The New Year’s Eve Celebration at Gilroy Gardens concludes with a spectacular fireworks show at midnight over Coyote Lake. But if you can’t be here to “ooh” and “ahh” in person, you can still cap off your celebration at home with a fun, safe “fireworks” science experiment inspired by Science-Sparks.com.

Although this is a simple and safe science craft, be sure to get a grownup to help you. It’s a fun way to bring the sparkle indoors while learning how colors mix and rise.

Fireworks in a Glass

What You Need:

A tall glass jar
Warm water
Oil
Food coloring

What You Do:

Fill the jar about ¾ full of warm water and then add a layer of oil.
Carefully drop a few drops of food coloring into the oil.
Watch what happens. Experiment with mixing in different colors (just a few drops at a time).
Draw a picture of your “fireworks” show!

How It Works:

Oil and water do not mix! Because oil is less dense than water (meaning there is less of it in the same volume), it floats on top of water in a nice layer.

Most food coloring is water-based and therefore does not mix with oil. Instead, it sinks through the oil into the water below, leaving behind “trails” that look like fireworks streaking through the sky.

Thank You for 25 Years of Love, Learning and Laughter

As we get ready to welcome a brand-new year, we want to pause and sincerely thank every guest who visited Gilroy Gardens during this very special 25^th anniversary season.

Every Membership and ticket purchase makes a difference and directly supports our nonprofit educational mission. Your continued support helps us nurture a greater appreciation of horticulture and trees—so that future generations can experience the same beauty, wonder, and joy.

While Gilroy Gardens will be closed for the winter season after December 31, we look forward to reopening in March 2026 for more exciting adventures!

View Park Calendar

The BOO is Back!

Bring the whole family for Halloween fun

The BOO is Back!

Bring the whole family for Halloween fun

The BOO is Back!

Bring the whole family for Halloween fun

Book Your 2027 Field Trip

Natural Science Days registration is now open

The BOO is Back!

Bring the whole family for Halloween fun

Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 5: QRS

Q is for Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster

R is for Rainbow Garden Boat Ride

S is for …Several Things!

Natural Science Days: Powered by the Passion of our Docents

Natural Science Days at Gilroy Gardens

Docents Do a LOT!

Making Education Exciting and Fun

Lifelong Learning…at Any Age

Want to Become a Volunteer Docent?

Sign Up Now for Natural Science Days!

Sustaining our Educational Mission

Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 4: LMNOP

L is for Lakeside Splash

M is for Monarch Garden

N is for North Pole Nights

O is for Oak Park Playground

P is for Paddle Boats

Happy Birthdays are Blooming at Gilroy Gardens!

How Do YOU Say “Happy Birthday”?

Fun Birthday Traditions

Tasty Birthday Treats

Plan Your BEST Birthday Party Ever at The Party Place!

Bust-a-Gut Birthday Jokes

Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 3: HIJK

H is for Holly Garden

I is for Illions Supreme Carousel

J is for Jubilee

K is for Keep the Magic Growing!

Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 2: EFG

E is for Environment

F is for Family Camp Nights

G is for Gil

Cherry Jubilee Wins the Prestigious IAAPA Brass Ring Award!

A Sweet Celebration of Local Flavor

The Meaning Behind the Brass Ring

A Proud Moment for Gilroy Gardens

Join in the Fun in 2026!

Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 1: ABCD

B is for Banana Split

C is for Circus Trees

D is for Dinosaur

Science is in Full Bloom!

Explore Our Natural Science Day Learning Stations

Learning Station #1: Create a Food Chain

Try This at Home: Food Chain Mobile Craft

Steps:

Learning Station #2: Plant Parts

Try This at Home: “Drink Up!” Celery Experiment

Steps

Learning Station #3: You Rock!

Keep the Learning Growing

Goodbye 2025—and Hello 2026!

Our 25th Anniversary Year in Review

Counting Down to 2026

Fun Family New Year’s Eve Tip #1: Prepare Some Tasty Treats

Instructions

Notes

Fun Family New Year’s Eve Tip #2: Get Your Groove On

Fun Family New Year’s Eve Tip #3: Make Every Minute Count

Fun Family New Year’s Eve Tip #4: Make a Magnificent Mess at Midnight

Fun Family New Year’s Eve Tip #5: Discover Science with a Spark

Fireworks in a Glass

Thank You for 25 Years of Love, Learning and Laughter

Learning Station #1:
Create a Food Chain