SPECIAL EVENTS

New England Botanic Garden hosts a wide variety of special events throughout the year, from family-friendly festivals and date nights to community celebrations, plant shows, and more. Each of these events offer visitors the opportunity to create memories, cultivate connections, and discover something new. Come enjoy the Garden in a whole new way when you join us for live performances, unique experiences, drop-in activities, and everything in between. Check back frequently for updates and upcoming events. Select an event below to learn more and reserve your tickets. Please note, many events require advance registration.

View our Special Events refund policy.

A pink and yellow dahlia blooms on a sunny day in the garden during the dahlia plant shows.

DAHLIA TUBER SALE
Sunday, April 21

*Included with general admission
Browse a wonderful selection of dahlia tubers representing a wide array of forms at the New England Dahlia Society’s annual sale.

Learn more here.

African Violets in bloom

PLANT SHOWS
Upcoming Plant Shows: African Violet, Rhododendron
*Included with general admission
Learn from expert growers while enjoying dazzling plant displays, unusual plants for sale, lectures, demos, and more.

Learn more here.

The Flower Catalog branding.

THE FLOWER CATALOG: AN EVENING OF SOLO PIANO
Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19
*Advanced registration required
Join Pianist Julia Scott Carey and Composer Stephanie Ann Boyd for a special piano performance of the Flower Catalog, a collection of 13 botanically inspired preludes.

Learn more here.

What special events can I look forward to every year?
Many special events are annual events that visitors can look forward to all year long. These include Night Lights, Thursday Summer Evenings, plant shows, Orchids After Dark, Music in Bloom, and our Pride Celebration. Other event series change annually. Check the Events Calendar or sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our programs. View the slideshow below to see highlights from past events.

Do members receive a discount on special event tickets?
Yes! Members have access to discounted special event tickets. General admission to the Garden is always free for members. Become a member now to access discounted event tickets immediately. Or, join during your visit and a portion of your ticket(s) will be deducted from the cost of your membership.

I’m a member of the Garden. How do I get my member discount?
To access member-priced tickets you must be logged in to your online account. If you have not registered an account with our ticketing system, click here to create an account. The number of member-priced tickets you have access to is determined by your membership level. Additional tickets may be purchased for your guests at full price.
* If your membership is set to expire before your desired ticket date you may receive an error message and will have to renew your membership to purchase tickets at the member rate.
Please note: Member Gate Passes are only redeemable for general admission and cannot be used for special ticketed events at the Garden.

Are special events family-friendly?
Many of our events are family-friendly and geared toward all ages. Some events may be 21+ and will be labeled as such, while other events may be specifically geared toward families. No matter your age, there is something for everyone!

Do general admission discounts or passes apply to special events?
General admission discounts, such as reciprocal memberships, MTA, Card to Culture, library passes, or military discounts, are not valid on special ticketed events. These discounts are only applicable to public events that are included with general admission.

Can I purchase tickets at the door on the day of an event?
Many special events require advance registration. General admission tickets can be purchased at the door for events included with admission, but online reservations are recommended on busy event days like Thursday Summer Evenings, exhibition openings, and weekend festivals.

When should I arrive for an event?
Some events use timed ticketing to stagger visitor arrival times in increments to make for a better visitor experience. Once you are checked-in, you may stay until the property closes.

We ask that you arrive as close to your selected arrival time as possible. Early arrivals may be asked to wait outside until setup for the event is completed or until it has reached the time of your arrival window.

If you are visiting during General admission hours but have tickets to an after-hours event, we ask that you please exit the property and return at the time listed on your event ticket.

How does check-in work and do I have to bring my printed email confirmation to the event?
After parking your vehicle, proceed up the path into the Visitors Center. We can look up your reservation by the name of the patron who reserved the tickets, but it can be helpful to have your confirmation email printed or available to show on your phone.

Can I reschedule or get a refund for special event tickets?
Reschedule and refund policies may vary depending on the event. Click here to review our Special Events refund policy or refer to the information on the specific event’s webpage.

What happens in the case of inclement weather?
Many special events take place in all weather conditions or have a designated rain date. However, if weather presents a risk to safety, New England Botanic Garden may decide to cancel an event. If so, you will be notified by email as soon as possible and a refund will be issued for your ticket(s).

Is there parking? Can I use a rideshare service?
We have a large, well-lit parking lot on site. There is no charge for parking.

Accessible parking is located closest to the building in the first parking lot on the right. You can learn more about accessibility at the Garden here.

If you choose to use Uber, Lyft, or another taxi service, please note that our entry gate on French Drive will close automatically for arriving vehicles at the end of an event. Please plan to be picked up before the event’s end time.

Do you host private events?
We host weddings, showers, social events, weekday meetings, holiday parties, and more. Click here for more information about private events and rentals.

PAST SPECIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS

Explore special events at the Garden. Click through the slideshow below to view highlights from past events. Please note, events change annually and may not be repeated.

  • Visitors sitting in the Winter Garden during Thursday Summer Evenings.
  • A visitor stops at a vendor booth during the Holiday Marketplace.
  • A young child on a pony ride during Enchanted Weekend.
  • Visitors posing for a photo in the sun tunnel from Night Lights 2023.
  • Visitors enjoying swing night from the summer.
  • A drag show held in the Orangerie during the Pride Celebration event in September.
  • Visitors in the Limonaia during Orchids After Dark, an after hours event during our annual exhibition.
  • Visitors sit in the Secret Garden listening to live music during Music in Bloom.
  • A young girl talks to the fairy during Magic by Moonlight.
  • Visitors during Killer in the Conservatory in the Orangerie.
  • Many visitors dance in the Lawn Garden during Salsa Night.
  • A small fairy house lit up at night during Fairies Aglow in fall 2022.
  • Visitors enjoying Diwali Lights in the winter of 2022.