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.

Interested in performing or vending at one of our special events? Please fill out our Performer Application Form or Vendor Application Form.

KEYS ACROSS AMERICA CONCERT

Thursday, September 10
*SOLD OUT

Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the United States, Keys Across America celebrates the spirit, landscapes, and voices of America through works by composers.

Fairies observing fairy lights

FAIRIES AGLOW

Select Fridays & Saturdays,
September 19 – October 23
*Advance registration required

On select evenings this fall, discover a magical world filled with fairies and folklore as The Ramble is transformed with dazzling light displays, illuminated fairy houses, and enchanting activities.

Illuminate your evenings.

Visitors dressed as fairies walking near the Cottage Garden

WEEKEND OF WONDER

Saturday, October 10 –
Monday, October 12
*Included with general admission

Join us for a weekend full of whimsy this autumn as the Garden is transformed into a realm of imagination and wonder.

Explore Weekend of Wonder.

FAERIE MASQUERADE BALL (18+)

Saturday, October 24, 2026
*Advance registration required

Step into the realm of the fae and lose yourself in an evening of music, magic, and mystique.

Your invitation awaits here.

Blue ceramic bowls and mugs

AMERICAN CRAFT FAIR

Saturday & Sunday, October 17 & 18
*Included with General Admission

Held in collaboration with the Worcester Center for Crafts and featuring over 30 fine artisans representing ceramics, jewelry, wood, metalworking, glass, mixed metals, painting, fiber arts, and more.

Celebrate the artistry of craftsmanship.

Pink Begonias in the garden

PLANT SHOWS & SALES

Upcoming Plant Shows:
Begonia Show & Sale, September 19 & 20
*Included with general admission

Learn from expert growers while enjoying dazzling plant displays, unusual plants for sale, lectures, demos, and more.

View our Plant Shows here.

FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

After parking your vehicle, proceed up the path into the Visitors Center. Please have your ticket/confirmation email printed or available to show on your phone for our front desk staff to check you in.

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.

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).

While we love our furry, four-legged friends, pets are not permitted during special after-hours events. Leashed dogs are allowed to visit the Garden year-round during our general admission hours. Service animals are welcome throughout the property during all open hours. Click here to learn more about dog walking guidelines.

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.

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 Hightlights

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 enjoying the Orangerie lit up and filled with Orchids during Orchids after Dark
  • 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 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.