Swing Night – Dance Concert on the Lawn
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 (Rain date: Tuesday, August 12)
6-8:30PM (doors open at 5:30PM)
Enjoy a high-energy dance concert of timeless big band swing featuring the 18-piece local talent, the Beantown Swing Orchestra. Step back in time as the band brings the golden age of swing to life with a vibrant mix of instrumental and vocal classics. Learn basic swing moves to dance the night away or sit back and enjoy the music with a picnic and a pint on the Lawn. Whether you are a seasoned dancer, a curious beginner, or simply want to take in the sights and sounds, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The band will be offering a beginner swing dance lesson at 6pm, then will play from 6:30–8:30pm with a Shim Sham line dance lesson during their break. The lesson rotates leads and followers frequently which is a great way to meet people! No partner or experience is required. In addition to the Shim Sham and other line dances, the band will organize other fun activities, including a dance-off, Soul Train Line, circle jam, beach ball bonanza, bubble machine, and more.
This event takes place in our Lawn Garden. Chairs and benches will not be available. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own picnic blankets or lawn chairs for seating and wear comfortable shoes for dancing on the grass.
A selection of food and drinks will be available for purchase during the event. Outside alcohol is not permitted at the Garden. Click here to view the menu.
Tickets must be reserved in advance. General admission discounts and passes do not apply to this special event. All ticket sales are final.
Member Adult: $16; Member Youth (age 4-12): $8
Adult: $26; Youth (age 4-12): $12
Children 3 and under: Free (must still register)
About the Beantown Swing Orchestra:
The Beantown Swing Orchestra specializes in performing Swing Era (1935-1946) music with young, energetic musicians using vintage instruments from that period to achieve the most authentic sound and look possible. Its mission is to introduce young people to this classic American music and to keep it alive and thriving for generations to come. The band recruits and trains talented, local high school students to perform this music, which is rarely taught anymore and rapidly becoming a dying art. Their current focus is on the music of Glenn Miller, which was pop music at the time and created specifically for dancing. As a result, the band’s outdoor concerts tend to draw people of all ages, including teens whom this music originally and naturally appealed to.
FAQs
Swing Night is a lively outdoor concert featuring the 18-piece Beantown Swing Orchestra, a talented group of young musicians performing with authentic vintage instruments from the Swing Era (1935-1946). The band will perform a mix of instrumental and vocal classics, and visitors will have the opportunity to participate in beginner swing lessons led by dance instructors at the start of the night. Dance along to the music as the band performs throughout the evening or simply sit back and enjoy the performance. Dancing is optional but encouraged!
This event takes place in our Lawn Garden, which is a flat, mown grassy area. Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes for dancing on the grass. The evening begins with a swing dance lesson at 6pm, and the band will play from 6:30-8:30pm with another short dance lesson taking place about halfway through the performance.
Doors and concessions open at 5:30pm. The beginner swing dance lessons will be offered from 6-6:30pm and the band will play from 6:30-8:30pm. Please plan to arrive no earlier than 5:30pm.
New England Botanic Garden will be closed from 5pm to 5:30pm. If you arrive early, please wait in your vehicle until doors open at 5:30pm.
If you are visiting during general admission hours but have tickets to Swing Night that evening, we ask that you please exit the property and return at the time listed on your event ticket.
Seating is not provided, so visitors are encouraged to bring their own picnic blankets or lawn chairs if they would like a seat. Seating space is on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival and a large area up front near the stage will be reserved for dancing. This event is intended to be a picnic-style format where visitors can enjoy watching the performance in a casual setting with food and drink.
A selection of food and drinks will be available for purchase throughout the evening. Click here to view the menu. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own picnics. Outside alcohol is not permitted at the Garden.
No, the Garden Shop will not be open during this event.
Swing Night takes place in our Lawn Garden. Our other outdoor gardens and trails will not be accessible during this evening.
While we love our furry, four-legged friends, pets are not permitted during special after-hours events like Swing Night. Service animals are welcome throughout the property during all open hours.
In the case of inclement weather, we may decide to reschedule the event to the designated rain date Tuesday, August 12, 2025. If so, you will be notified by email as soon as possible and all tickets will be automatically transferred. Refunds will not be issued.
Tickets for Swing Night are non-refundable and are only valid for the date and time selected.
If the event is rescheduled to the rain date due to inclement weather, all tickets will be automatically transferred, and refunds will not be issued.
Please plan to arrive between 5:30pm and 6pm. 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.
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 the event. Please plan to be picked up before the event ends at 8:30pm.
This event is generously sponsored in part by:
