Did you know you can learn how to make maple syrup and candy from the sap of maple trees in Philadelphia?
Maple sugaring season runs through February and March.
All species of maple can provide sap to produce sugar. Sugar maple is the preferred species because it contains a higher concentration of sugar. It takes roughly 40 galloons of sap to make one galloon of maple syrup!
If you would like to learn more about maple sugaring, attend one of Parks & Rec’s environmental education centers’ maple sugar events. In addition to Maple Sugar days, some environmental centers host educational afterschool activities for youth. At these sweet events you can learn how to:
- Identify a maple tree.
- Tap a sugar maple tree.
- Harvest the sap.
- Boil the sap.
- Create maple syrup and candy.
2023 MAPLE SUGAR EVENTS
Maple sugaring afterschool activities
Feb. 9, 10, 16 and 17, 2023
2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Wissahickon Environmental Center – 300 W. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, 19118.
Take a hike to see a sugar bush, tap a tree, and see how maple syrup is made. Taste some locally-made syrup. Buy tickets on Eventbrite.
Backyard sugaring
February 11, 2023
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Pennypack Environmental Center – 8600a Verree Road, Philadelphia, 19115.
Learn about the journey of maple syrup from the tree in your yard to all the sweetness that can be made from sap. Learn more and register now.
Sugaring story and stroll on the farm
February 13, 2023
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Fox Chase Farm – 8500 Pine Road, Philadelphia, 19111.
Enjoy a maple sugar story and stroll with your kids. Then come meet the new goat kids. View more details about this free event on Facebook.
Maple Sugar Festival
February 25, 2023
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wissahickon Environmental Center – 300 W. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, 19118.
Enjoy tree tapping demonstrations, syrup making, syrup tasting, candy making, and more! Find out more information about this free event!
Sugaring for seniors
February 27, 2023
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Fox Chase Farm – 8500 Pine Road, Philadelphia, 19111.
Experience the journey of maple syrup from tree to table at Fox Chase Farm. Register for this free event.
Maple Sugar Day at Fox Chase Farm
March 4, 2023
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fox Chase Farm – 8500 Pine Road, Philadelphia, 19111.
Learn the process of maple sugaring, watch the making of maple candy, and sample pancakes with pure maple syrup. There will also be vendors, food truck, games, and more. No registration is required. Read more on Facebook .
Full sugar moon hike
March 7, 2023
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Pennypack Environmental Center – 8600a Verree Road, Philadelphia, 19115.
Take the last looks of bare tree silhouettes of the winter, listen for owls and returning geese, and take in the beauty of the night sky as we hike through our sugar bush. No flashlights will be used on the hike. Register for this free event.
Sugaring on the farm
March 17, 2023
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Fox Chase Farm – 8500 Pine Road, Philadelphia, 19111.
Enjoy a story, simple craft, and short walk. Do a story walk with Curious George, and learn how to make maple syrup. This program is for children 5 years old and under with an adult. Buy tickets on eventbrite.
