Gilroy Gardens: Where Students Can Perform, Learn and Play

By Audrey Scrogham Educational Class Trip, Featured Destinations Band Trips, choir performance destination, Performance Travel, Student Travel

For over 25 years, Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park has been a magical destination where students can experience a unique blend of education and entertainment. Nestled in the scenic town of Gilroy, California, this enchanting, 536-acre park offers a distinctive opportunity for teachers to inspire their students while enjoying thrilling attractions and performance opportunities.

Michael Bonfante, the creator of Gilroy Gardens, loved trees—especially BIG ones. He dreamed of creating a park that would inspire young people to appreciate the beauty of trees. In 1985, he learned about the ailing “Circus Trees” in nearby Scotts Valley and engineered a rescue operation to dig them up and transplant them at his park grounds in Gilroy. Bonfante Gardens opened on June 15, 2001, and was renamed Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in 2007. The park now features over 40 family rides and attractions nestled among more than 10,000 trees. More than just another amusement park, Gilroy Gardens remains a remarkable testament to one man’s vision and enduring passion for trees.

Why Students Will Love Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy Gardens is not just another amusement park—it’s a wonderland of fun, discovery and natural beauty. With over 40 rides and attractions surrounded by lush gardens and over 10,000 trees, students can enjoy exciting experiences while soaking in the breathtaking scenery.

Thrilling Attractions: Students can spin inside a bright red strawberry, soar high above the treetops under a giant mushroom or race through twists and turns on the Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster.
Interactive Learning Opportunities: The park is a living classroom where students can explore nature, conservation and horticulture.
Refreshing Water Attractions: On warm days, students can cool off in the park’s fun-filled water play areas.

Educational Opportunities

Educators will appreciate that Gilroy Gardens offers a variety of educational components that align with STEM and environmental science curricula. The park’s founder created this magical space with a mission to instill a love for trees and nature in young minds.

The Famous Circus Trees: These awe-inspiring trees, rescued and transplanted to the park, are living works of art that provide fascinating lessons in biology and environmental stewardship.
Hands-On Learning: Students can explore interactive exhibits highlighting plant life, water conservation and sustainability.
Group-Friendly Facilities: With venues like Creekside Terrace, Picnic Grove and The Events Plaza, school groups have ample space to gather, learn and perform.

A Perfect Venue for Performing Groups

Gilroy Gardens isn’t just for thrill-seekers—it’s also an exceptional venue for student bands, choirs and dance ensembles. The park’s performance spaces provide a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their talents in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Diverse Performance Venues: Groups can choose from various performance spaces, including The Events Plaza and Creekside Terrace, which offer excellent acoustics and scenic backdrops.
Support for Performing Groups: The park offers audio support, stage setup assistance and dedicated performance schedules to ensure a seamless experience.
Exciting Post-Performance Activities: After their performance, students can enjoy the park’s rides, attractions and gardens, making it a fun and rewarding trip for young performers.
Memorable Group Experience: Performing at Gilroy Gardens allows students to gain confidence, teamwork skills and an appreciation for artistic expression in an inspiring environment.

Plan Your Student Trip Today!

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is a destination that offers the perfect mix of fun, education and inspiration. Whether you’re organizing a school field trip or a student performance opportunity, this park provides an experience like no other. Come for the rides, stay for the smiles and leave with memories that will last a lifetime!

Ready to plan your student adventure? Contact us today to book your trip to Gilroy Gardens.

More About Gilroy, California

Gilroy is a city in Santa Clara County, south of the San Francisco Bay Area. It has a population of 59,520 as of the 2020 census. Gilroy’s origins lie in the village of San Ysidro, which was developed in the early 19th century from Rancho San Ysidro.

The Gilroy Garlic Festival

In 1978, Dr. Rudy Melone, then President of Gavilan College in Gilroy, read a newspaper article about a small town in France that hosted an annual garlic festival and claimed to be the Garlic Capital of the World. “Nonsense,” he thought. Gilroy’s garlic production and processing were far greater. In fact, Christopher Ranch was then, and still is, the largest shipper of garlic in the world.

Melone then worked to convince ranch owner Don Christopher, along with other local farmers and businesses, to celebrate the hometown crop and host a garlic festival of their own. At first, many deemed the idea downright ridiculous. At that time, outside of Italian immigrant families, garlic was considered a somewhat esoteric ingredient. Due to its somewhat justified reputation as the “stinking rose,” it wasn’t generally shared in polite company. Most locals were more embarrassed about Gilroy’s garlic heritage and the town’s distinctive odor than proud.

Now, Melone’s Gilroy Garlic Festival has celebrated the local agricultural market for over 45 years.

Gilroy Gardens pays homage to the city’s signature crop with its Garlic Twirl ride.