Our programming and place of Grace Farms invites visitors of all ages and backgrounds to learn more about our work, from exploring the world of sustainable and fair-labor teas to creating biodiverse habitats to providing healthy meals to our neighbors in need.
We are free and open to the public six days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and 12 to 5 pm. Enhance your visit and discover Grace Farms from anywhere with our new digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app. Here, explore an interactive map of the River building and grounds, learn about our art installations and exhibits, and register for upcoming programs and events.
Below are highlights May through August:
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Discover Nature
Experienced and new bird watchers of all ages are invited join in our birdwatching events. Our Master Birder Frank Mantlik provides an opportunity to learn more about the wonders of birdwatching, one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities.
Spring Birdwatching Walk
Saturdays in May | 11 am – 12 pm
Birdwatchers of all ages and experience are guided through our nature trails by Master Birder Frank Mantlik to learn about the natural world and discover the species of birds that make Grace Farms their home. Bird watching guides and binoculars are available at the Welcome Desk.
$10 | member: free | children: $5
The Nashville Warbler, a boisterous yellow songster, is one of the over 100 species of birds that can be found at Grace Farms, thanks to the restoration of the land and creating biodiverse habitats throughout Grace Farms’ 80 acres. Listen to their songs.
Native Meadows Walk
Saturdays, May 13, June 10, July 9, August 12 | 11 am – 12 pm
Discover the restoration process and sustainable land care practicesthat have helped our meadows become a more bountiful habitat for birds, bees, and other native plants and animals. Includes a cup of cool, refreshing tea.
$10 | member: free | children: $5
Meet the Bees | Backyard Beekeeping
Saturday, May 20 | 10 – 11 am
It’s World Bee Day! Master Gardener Lauren Elliott invites guests of all ages into the buzzing world of backyard beekeeping. This morning features Tammi Worsham, Chair of the Outreach Committee at the Back Yard Beekeepers Association in Weston. Ph0to by Leah Mosher
Lauren Elliott, in her bee-keepers’ outfit in our Community Gardens, a 1,450-square foot garden that grows organic food and serves as an educational space for visitors of all ages and experiences.
$10 | member: $8 | children: $5
Meet the Bees | Pollinators Transforming the Landscape
Saturday, June 24 | 10 – 11 am
Learn about bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that help transformour landscape every spring and summer, from our Master Gardener Lauren Elliott and Horticulture Advisor Kimberly Kelly.
$10 | member: $8 | children: $5
Living Classroom | The Wisdom of Trees
Saturday, June 24 | 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Majestic, diverse, and wise in their age, trees have a lot to teach us. Stroll the landscape with our Horticulture Advisor Kimberly Kelly to learn more about incredible wisdom of trees and their crucial role purifying air, water and soil.
$10 | member: $8 | children: $5
Living Classroom | Uninvited Guests
Saturday, July 15 | 11 am – 12 pm
In this interactive session, Horticulture Advisor Kimberly Kelly explores invasive species in Connecticut and the strategies and alternatives we can implement to help protect our natural landscapes so that they may flourish and thrive.
$10 | member: $8 | children: $5
Meet the Bees | Honey Harvest & Tasting
Saturday, July 22 | 10 – 11 am
Master Gardener Lauren Elliott shares her experience tending the two beehives in our Community Garden and demonstrates honey extraction, followed by a sweet tasting.
$10 | member: $8 | children: $5
Seasonal Nature Walks | Meadow Walks
Saturday, August 12 | 11 am – 12 pm
Journey into the meadows to see firsthand how our restoration process and sustainable land care practices have helped the land become a more bountiful habitat for birds, bees, and other native plants and animals. Cool down with a cup of tea before or after. This walk follows a scenic, sunny path. Hats and sun protection are highly recommended.
$10 | member: free | children: $5
Living Classroom | Butterfly Ambassadors
Saturday, August 26 | 11 am – 12 pm
The wonder and beauty of butterflies capture hearts and imaginations — and stories of their successful conservation are starting to emerge! Walk the diverse landscape with Horticulture Advisor Kimberly Kelly to learn how to attract butterflies into your backyard and make a difference.
$10 | member: $8 | children: $5
The restoration of Grace Farms’ 80 acres has brought back our essential pollinators to the area, including butterflies, birds, and over 100 species of birds.
Meet the Bees | Summer Produce
Saturday, August 26 | 10 – 11 am
Stroll through the bountiful Community Garden to sample fresh summer produce, try our honey, and sip sun tea, all while admiring the tireless work of our amazing honey bees.
$10 | member: $8 | children: $5
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Journey into a world of tea | featured series
Tea lovers are invited to step into the tranquil glass-enclosed Pavilion for an in-depth foray into the intricate world of tea, including tastings of different varietals from cultures around the world, demonstrations, and more, led by Tea Expert Frank Kwei.
$15 per class | member: $12
“Tea at Grace Farms started as a way for us to welcome people to our place and into our mission, but it has become much more than that. Tea is still a symbol of hospitality — but now it also serves as a way for us to educate visitors on ethical and sustainable supply chains.” – Adam Thatcher, Co-Founder of Grace Farms Foods, a Certified B Corporation supporting Grace Farms Foundation’s humanitarian work.
Distinct Black Teas from India, Sri Lanka, and China
Saturday, May 13 | 3 – 5 pm
Oolong and Pu-erh Teas, with Taiwan’s famed “Two Sister” oolongs
Saturday, June 10 | 3 – 5 pm
The Soothing World of Herbal Teas and Sips
Saturday, July 22 | 3 – 5 pm
Eastern and Western Tea Culture & Practice
Saturday, August 19 | 3 – 5 pm
Grace Farms Foods’ ethically and sustainably-made teas.
Afternoon Tea
Wednesdays | 3 – 4:30 pm
June 14, July 19, August 23
Be our guest! We invite you into our glass-enclosed Pavilion to enjoy a delicious pot of tea and tasty assortment of English and Japanese-inspired bites created by the Grace Farms Culinary Team during this social afternoon inspired by English tea service.
$30 | member: $24
Tea Tasting
Thursdays | 3 – 4 pm
May 11 and June 8
Experience teas from around the world during an interactive tasting that celebrates the impact of sustainably and ethically sourced tea, led by tea expert Frank Kwei and Grace Farms Foods Co-Founder Adam Thatcher.
$15 | member: $12
Coffee Tasting
Fridays | 1 – 2 pm
May 19 and June 16
Discover different coffee varietals in an interactive tasting that celebrates the impact of sustainably and ethically sourced coffee led by tea expert Frank Kwei and Grace Farms Foods Co-Founder Adam Thatcher.
$15 | member: $12
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Celebrate the seasons with picnics
Friday, June 23, July 14, August 18 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Celebrate the joy and bounty of summertime with family, friends, and neighbors! Enjoy extended hours of the Community Garden, summer-themed crafts, and a delicious picnic dinner created by our culinary team.
$22 | member: $18 | children: $12
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Experience Music
Marcus G. Miller, our Music Director at Grace Farms. Marcus has performed at the Obama White House, Madison Square Garden, The World Economic Forum at Davos, The Montreux Jazz Festival, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert alongside Jon Batiste, and Carnegie Hall.
Voices of Culture | Jazzmeia Horn
Saturday, May 20 | 7:30 – 9 pm
Jazzmeia Horn, among the most compelling jazz vocalists of her generation, brings her soulful voice to the Sanctuary for an inspirative concert. Her inventive style has earned her numerous awards. She has performed with luminaries in the New York scene, including Billy Harper, Delfeayo Marsalis, Mike LeDonne, and many more. Voices of Culture is curated by our Music Director, Marcus G. Miller, and explores beauty in different musical traditions.
$25 | member: $20
Masterclass with Jazzmeia Horn is free with proof of purchase of a concert ticket.
Masterclass with Jazzmeia Horn
Saturday, May 20 | 10:30 – 11:30 am
Amateur and professional singers from high school and up are invited to explore the transformative power of the human voice alongside Grammy-nominated jazz singer and songwriter Jazzmeia Horn during this soulful masterclass.Deeply influenced by Sarah Vaughn, Abbey Lincoln, Betty Carter, and Ella Fitzgerald, Jazzmeia combines her sensational vocal aptitude, inventive sense of arrangement, and spiritual calling to inspire and heal through music to deliver unforgettable performances. Jazzmeia will cover vocal exercises and technique, phrasing, mastering lyrics, and creative expression.
$15 | member: $12 | student: $10
Beauty and Logic | An Exploration of Music and Math
Saturday, August 26 | 7:30 – 9 pm
Join us in the Sanctuary for a lively exploration of how creativity and aesthetics interact with math and science, and how this interaction can enrich our lives. This evening features a discussion and musical performances from Music Director Marcus G. Miller and special guests.
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Ongoing Children and Family Programs
In imagination playground, children can build skills, solve problems, and make friends in the Court using an innovative system of large-scale, lightweight blocks designed to encourage fun and learning through curiosity-driven play.
Animal Encounters
Saturdays | 11 am – 12 pm
June 17, July 22, August 19
This family-friendly drop-in program brings the entire family face-to-face with a range of animals.
free
Bunny Book Group
Tuesdays | 3 – 3:30 pm and Fridays | 11 – 11:30 am
Children are invited to gather on SANAA-designed rabbit chairs in our Library to hear stories from our curated collection of children’s books exploring topics related to our initiative work, and to take part in an arts and crafts activity. For ages 1-5 with adult caregivers.
free
Open Arts Studio
Thursdays | 1 – 5 pm and Saturdays | 10 am – 2 pm
Wednesdays and Fridays | 10 am – 2 pm from May 31 – September 1
Drop in and enjoy a facilitated series designed by artists, curators, and educators that invites families to think, play, create, and spend time together experimenting with sensory-rich materials and different modes of artmaking. Activities change monthly. Please arrive at least half an hour before the studio closes. Recommended for ages 5-11 with adult caregivers.
$5 | member: free
Imagination Playground
daily
Children are invited to build skills, solve problems, and make friends in the Court, using an innovative system of large-scale, lightweight blocks designed to encourage fun and learning through curiosity-driven play. For ages up to age 8 with adult caregivers.
free
School visits & tours
We offer programs for K–12 students that align with the Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core, Connecticut State Social Studies Frameworks, and Social and Emotional Learning practices. These innovative programs engage students with our award-winning building and nature preserve, inviting them to re-imagine the built environment and collaborate on new outcomes for a more ethical and sustainable world.
Full descriptions, and our school group application, are available at gracefarms.org/school-programs.
Weekly Grace Farms Tour
Thursdays and Saturdays | 10:30 am – 12 pm
Sip complimentary tea in the Pavilion and follow a guided exploration of the River building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA, and encounter four site-specific installations by artists Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson, Teresita Fernández, and Beatriz Milhazes.
Grace Farms Tours are approved for AIA CES 1.5 LU
$25 | member: free
Private Grace Farms Tour
By request, private tours of Grace Farms are available for parties of 8 or more, Tuesday through Friday at 10:30 am or 12:45 pm for 90 minutes. To request a private tour, please visit gracefarms.org/visit.
$20 per person | member: $16
Behind the Scenes with Toshihiro Oki
Saturday, June 3 | 10:30 am – 12 pm
Get a rare look at Grace Farms through the eyes of our Architecture Advisor, Toshihiro Oki, who worked for the firm SANAA responsible for the design of the River building. This in-depth architectural tour concludes with tea in the glass-enclosed Pavilion.
The award-winning River building designed by SANAA. Throughout the building, visitors can experience 360-degree views of natural landscape.
$25 | member: $20
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About Grace Farms
Grace Farms is a center for culture and collaboration in New Canaan, Connecticut. We bring together people across sectors to explore nature, arts, justice, community, and faith at the SANAA-designed River building on 80 acres of publicly accessible, preserved natural landscape. Our humanitarian work to end modern slavery and foster more grace and peace in our local and global community includes leading the Design for Freedom movement to eliminate forced labor in building materials supply chain.
Become a member
Grace Farms members enjoy special access to member-only events, experiential activities, and thought-provoking programs — and the opportunity to be a part of our mission to pursue a more peaceful world.
Learn more at gracefarms.org/membership
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