Whimsical Woodlands

Embark on a Magical Adventure

Join us in our Forest Fairy Village for a day of Whimsy!

April 27, 2025

10am-4pm

Presented by

Enter the world of fairies and gnomes!

Follow the trails as you head down the streets of our Fairy Village, discovering magic around every corner! Who knows what whimsical creature you may meet next?

The Whimsical Woodland Festival is a celebration of our Earth and community.

Steward morning brings in volunteers to help with the earth by removing invasives, cleaning up from winter, and rejuvenating the trails. Volunteer “Builders” create fairy or gnome homes, establishing a whimsical neighborhood of small structures built out of natural materials from the environment.  

Engulf yourself in the beauty of nature within a fantasy world!

Interested in being a part of this event?

We’re looking for Volunteers, Vendors and Home Builders!

Follow the whimsical woodland path sprinkled with fairy houses and gnome homes for a magical experience through a fantasy world set in the woods.

Enjoy the forest filled with crafts, storytelling, adventurous activities, face painting, animals, climbing tower, vendors, and fairy-approved treats!


Be a Volunteer!

We have two areas of volunteering on this day.

  • Annual steward work morning

  • As part of the Whimsical Woodlands event

    Register to volunteer here.

Be a Builder!

Interested in building a dwelling to help populate our woods? We are looking for Volunteers to build whimsical fairy or gnome homes for us to place along our trails, creating our own Fairy Village. If you’re interested in participating, please see details HERE!

Join us as a Vendor

Interested in joining us as a Vendor? We are looking for unique and creative Vendors to help bring our bustling Fairy Village to life! We can’t wait for you to be a part of our Whimsical Marketplace! Look HERE for details and to register.

Join our partners in supporting festive activities:

  • Department of Natural Resources

  • Bloomfield Township Public Library

  • Girl Scouts of SE Michigan

  • Farmington Hills NC

  • Bowers School Farm

  • Friends of JNC

Other bits of information or questions:

  • All ages are welcome to enjoy Whimsical Woodlands! We can’t wait for your imagination to come alive as you enter the realm of Forest Fairies and Gnomes.

  • While costumes are not required, they are always welcome. Don your fairy wings and blend in with the Fae Folk if you desire. 

    (Costumes should be appropriate for all ages)


  • The parking lot at the JNC will be open, and alternative plans for parking and shuttling are being workshopped. More details about parking will be provided before the event. Do not park along Franklin Road.

  • Fairy-approved light concessions will be available during the event.

  • No. Pets are not allowed onsite at Johnson Nature Center (even if in costume).

  • The trail surface is dirt and wood chips.  We recommend strollers designed for uneven terrain if you need to bring one..

  • The event takes place throughout the JNC, so light hiking will be required. The trail is unpaved and made up of dirt and wood chips, there are also some moderate inclines and declines. Good walking shoes or boots are suggested.

  • The Whimsical Woodlands make-up day will be Sunday, May 4, 2025.

Check out what happened last year in 2024

Can’t make it but would like to support this event and mission?