SUMMER EVENINGS: Extended Hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays

Make the most of the season’s long days and beautiful twilights with golden hour experiences at the Garden. Thursday Summer Evenings return, back by popular demand, and — new this year! — Extended Wednesdays offer even more opportunities to savor the summer. These events are rain or shine, and in case of inclement weather some activities will be moved indoors.

Extended Wednesdays and Thursday Summer Evenings are included with the cost of General Admission. We recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to secure your preferred date. You can also purchase tickets in person at the Garden. If a date is listed as SOLD OUT, no more tickets will be released for that date and additional tickets will not be available at the door.

Dinner: 5–7:30pm in June/July and 5–7:15pm in August/September
Drinks and Desserts: 5–8:30pm in June/July and 5–7:30pm in August/September

These exhibits are included with the cost of General Admission.

  • GREEN, New Paintings by Marie Anthony Inspired by the Garden: Join us to celebrate the work of Marie Anthony, a Boston-based painter whose vivid artworks on display are inspired by botanical forms found at New England Botanic Garden. Open June 1–August 11.
  • FLORA IN FLIGHT, Aerial Art by Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics: Experience a collaboration between art and nature. Get ready to explore a lively trilogy of kinetic art that’s sure to move you. Open June 22 through October 31.
  • NEW ENGLAND WILDFLOWERS, New England Society of Botanical Artists: Come learn more about the native and introduced wildflowers found throughout New England in an illustrated exhibit featuring artwork created by the New England Society of Botanical Artists. New England Wildflowers will adorn the Fern Gallery from June 8 through September 3.
Visitors enjoying a drink in the Winter Garden during our Summer Evenings.

NEW! EXTENDED WEDNESDAYS: Sunset Sips + Twilight Tastings
Wednesdays, starting July 3 | 5–9pm
August 7 through September 4 | 5–8pm

Join us for a midweek escape. Discover the Garden at twilight on your own or with guided tours, explore our new Craft & Cocktail series and other adult and family classes, soak in the sunset over the Wachusett Reservoir, and enjoy dinner and drinks from the Farmer and the Fork café. The Wednesday menu features delicious fare crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that pair with drink specials from a rotating list of breweries and distilleries who will be onsite to spotlight the best of the libations. 

Guided Walking Tours, 6:30–7:15pm:
Drop-in for a guided garden tour and explore our favorite summer spaces and blooms.

Massachusetts Master Gardener “Ask a Gardener” table 
Join us on Wednesday evenings to have all your plant-related questions answered! Whether you’re curious about a particular flower or plant in your garden or simply want to learn more about gardening, our knowledgeable Master Gardeners from the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association will be onsite to provide expert guidance and  answer questions related to your home garden.

View the Extended Wednesday café offerings.

Sunset Sips + Twilight Takeovers:

  • 7/31: Sap House Mead
  • 8/07: Dirigible Brewing Co.
  • 8/14: Short Path Distillery
  • 8/21: Berkshire Mt. Distillers
  • 8/28: Carlsons
  • 9/04: Berkshire Brewing Co.

*All Youth and Adult programs require advance registration. View our Events Calendar to register. Stay tuned for more information on our Craft & Cocktail Series and other classes & workshops.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Fantastic Frogs | Ages 4–8: Join us for a garden adventure as you learn about the unique species that call the Garden home.
Wednesday, August 14, 6:30–7:30pm

ADULT PROGRAMS

Craft & Cocktail Series: Get creative, learn a new skill, and enjoy the gardens by sunset as you sip on a craft beer or cocktail. All programs in our Craft & Cocktail series include one complimentary drink, your choice of soft drink, beer, wine, canned cocktails, or the evening’s signature cocktail.

A musician playing in the Winter Garden during Thursday Summer Evenings.

THURSDAY SUMMER EVENINGS
Thursdays, June 20 – July 25 | 5–9pm
August | 5–8pm

Enjoy live music by talented local musicians, a beer garden, lawn games, dinner specials, and more as you explore the Garden after-hours with friends and family. Hike serene, wooded trails, wander the gardens to enjoy the blooms, and catch the sunset over the Wachusett Reservoir. Plus, don’t miss our wide variety of scheduled workshops and classes for children and adults!

Live Music: Spend an evening at the Garden listening to live music performed by talented local artists.

  • 7/25, 6–8pm: Screen Door (modern folk, classic rock, and alternative)
  • 8/1, 5:30–7:30pm: Giuliano D’Orazio  (acoustic rock n roll, classic covers and originals)
  • 8/8, 5:30–7:30pm: Beer Rats Deluxe (laid-back family band featuring your favorite tunes from the last 50 years. Rock, folk, and more)
  • 8/15, 5:30–7:30pm: North Woods Band (rock, blues, and country)
  • 8/22, 5:30–7:30pm: Jessye DeSilva (piano-driven queer alt Americana)
  • 8/29, 5:30–7:30pm: The Hip Swayers (upbeat, fun, classic country & rockin’ Americana)

Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston: On select Thursday evenings, the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston will be setting up their telescopes in the gardens, allowing guests to interact with them and view the night sky in a whole new way.
*Please note, this activity is weather-dependent.

  • 8/8, 6–8pm
  • 8/15, 6–8pm

View the Thursday Summer Evenings Café and Beer Garden offerings.

Beer Garden: Features a variety of craft beers, wines, cocktails, mocktails, and snacks to enjoy on the grounds.
5–8:30pm in June/July
5–7:30pm in August 

*All Youth and Adult programs require advance registration. View our Events Calendar to register. Stay tuned for more information.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Family Paint Party | Ages 7+: Create your own flower meadow scene with this family friendly paint-along.
Thursday, August 8: 6–7:30pm

Blooms & Bouquets | Ages 7-12: Learn about the art of flower arranging and create your own floral arrangement to cherish the end of the summer.
Thursday, August 22: 5:30–6:30pm

ADULT PROGRAMS

Summer Thursday Yoga: Relax and refresh in this all-levels yoga class in the gardens. Beginning June 20 through August 29.
Every Thursday, 6–7:15pm (no class July 4 and July 18)
July 11, July 25
Check back later for August classes!

Botanical Mixology: Join us and learn how to craft the perfect version of a foundational cocktail, then discover how to transform the basic recipe into a unique libation with the addition of herbs, spices, flowers, berries, fruits, or vegetables.
Select Thursdays, 6–7pm

  • August 1: Whiskey Sour
  • August 15: Corpse Reviver #2
  • August 29: Side Car

Card to Culture Discount: New England Botanic Garden is pleased to offer individual with an EBT, WIC, or ConnectorCare card up to six free general admissions to the Garden during the months of June, July, and August 2024. This offer can be used during daytime visits and Thursday summer evenings. To redeem: Enter promotional code CTCST at checkout. We are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council and the Department of Transitional Assistance, Massachusetts Health Connector, and the Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program to broaden accessibility to cultural programming. See full list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.

Thank you to our sponsor:

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