THURSDAY SUMMER EVENINGS
Thursdays starting June 19
June & July | 5–9PM
August | 5–8PM
(Rain or Shine)
Unplug, recharge, and escape to the Garden this summer. Enjoy live music from talented local musicians, sip refreshing craft beers and cocktails in our beer garden, play lawn games, and savor delicious dinner specials. Wander our woodland trails, admire the vibrant summer blooms, and enjoy colorful sunsets over the Wachusett Reservoir. Plus, discover an exciting lineup of workshops and classes for all ages — perfect for sparking creativity and connecting with nature. Let the summer fun begin! Thursday evenings are perfect for an after-work social, a fun night with friends, or a memorable evening with your family. Your new favorite tradition awaits!
Please note outside alcohol is not permitted at the Garden.
These 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.
New England Botanic Garden is pleased to offer individuals with an EBT, WIC, or ConnectorCare card up to six free general admissions to the Garden during the months of June, July, and August 2025. 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.
Live Music: Spend an evening at the Garden listening to live music performed by talented local artists.
- 6/19, 6–8PM: Sunta Jones (blend of soul, blues, R&B, and reggae)
- 6/26, 6–8PM: Sarah Louise French (acoustic singer/songwriter with folk, country, and 60s/70s pop influences)
- 7/3, 6–8PM: Dwayne Haggins
- 7/10, 6–8PM: Giuliano D’Orazio (acoustic rock n roll, classic covers and originals)
- 7/17, 6–8PM: Act to be announced soon!
- 7/24, 6–8PM: Pickleback Jack (laid-back family band featuring your favorite tunes from the last 50 years. Rock, folk, and more)
- 7/31, 6–8PM: Zikina (East African folk music with flavors of reggae, rock, and Caribbean dance beats)
- 8/7, 5:30–7:30PM: Clatta Bumboo
- 8/14, 5:30–7:30PM: Evan Murphy (family-friendly mix of jazz, folk, and originals)
- 8/21, 6–7:30PM: Music Includes (featuring and celebrating musical performances by talented individuals of all abilities)
- 8/28, 5:30–7:30PM: North Woods Band (rock, blues, and country)
Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston: On select evenings, the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston will set 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 and may be cancelled if conditions are too cloudy or rainy.
- 7/3, 6–9PM
- 7/31, 6–9PM
- 8/28, 6–8PM
Check back soon for the Thursday Summer Evenings café and beer garden menu. Outside alcohol is not permitted at the Garden.
Beer Garden: Choose from a variety of craft beers, wines, cocktails, mocktails, and snacks to enjoy while you explore the grounds.
5–8:30PM in June & July
5–7:30PM in August
Café: Features Thursday Summer Evening specials in addition to the regular menu.
Dinner: 5–7:30PM in June, July, and August
Drinks and Desserts: 5–8:30PM in June & July and 5–7:30PM in August
*All Youth and Adult programs require advanced registration. View our Events Calendar to register. Stay tuned for more information.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Family Firefly Walks | Ages 3–14: Explore the gardens and trails by moonlight and search for our favorite nocturnal insect.
Thursdays, June 19 & June 26, 8–9pm
ADULT PROGRAMS
Summer Twilight Yoga: Relax and unwind as you flow through gentle yoga sessions under the soft glow of summer evenings.
Select Thursdays, 6–7:15pm
These exhibits are included with the cost of General Admission.
- ART IN MOTION, 25 Years of Sculpture by George Sherwood: Get lost in the interplay of wind, waves, and light with this stunning collection of kinetic sculptures by artist and engineer George Sherwood. Open May 3 through October 12.
- Chinese Empresses, by Xiang Li: Immerse yourself in the vibrant and detailed works of internationally acclaimed artist Xiang Li. This curated collection features hand-painted silk tapestries depicting over 200 Chinese empresses throughout history. Open June 14 through August 24.
FAQs
Thursday Summer Evenings provide visitors with an additional opportunity to visit the Garden during the week. Every Thursday in the summer, this year starting June 19 and running through August 28, the Garden extends our general admission hours to 9 p.m. in June and July, and to 8 p.m. in August. Visitors can explore our gardens and trails during golden hour while taking in the sunset, admiring our vibrant summer blooms, and spending a fun summer night out socializing with friends and family.
These evenings also feature the opportunity to relax in a casual outdoor setting while enjoying live music, lawn games, and a variety of food and drink options from our beer garden bar and Farmer and the Fork café.
Workshops and classes for all ages will also take place during select Thursday evenings. Please note that these programs require advanced registration through our Events Calendar.
The Garden is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in June and July, and until 8 p.m. in August, with last admission at 8:30 p.m. in June and July and 7:30 p.m. in August. Visitors are welcome to arrive at any point prior to the last admission time.
If you would like to enjoy the live music, performances will take place from 6–8 p.m. in June and July and from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in August unless otherwise noted in the music schedule under “Thing to Do.” Please note that these evenings are not formal concerts. They are intended to be free flowing, allowing you to choose how you would like to spend your evening — exploring the gardens and trails, enjoying food and drinks, listening to live music, socializing with friends and family, or a little bit of everything!
While the Garden offers a variety of outdoor seating options, including benches and tables scattered throughout the property, seating is not provided specifically for the live music performances. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic blankets or lawn chairs if they would like to sit while enjoying the live music, but please be mindful of other visitors wanting to enjoy the performance as space is limited.
The Farmer and the Fork café will be open serving Thursday Summer Evening food specials in addition to the regular café menu. Orders can be placed in person in the café or online for pick-up at your selected time. Our beer garden bar will be open featuring a variety of craft beers, wines, cocktails, mocktails, and snacks like soft pretzels to enjoy on the grounds. Menu coming soon.
Visitors are also welcome to bring their own picnics. Outside alcohol is not permitted at the Garden. See below for the café and beer garden hours.
Café:
Dinner: 5–7:30 p.m. in June, July, and August
Drinks and Desserts: 5–8:30 p.m. in June & July and 5–7:30 p.m. in August
Beer Garden:
5–8:30 p.m. in June & July
5–7:30 p.m. in August
Yes, the Garden Shop will be open during these evenings. Please note that the Shop closes 15 minutes prior to the end time of our general admission hours.
Yes, all our formal gardens and wooded trails will be open to explore during your visit. Once you are checked in, you are welcome to stay until New England Botanic Garden closes (at 9 p.m. in June and July, and at 8 p.m. in August). Please note that some garden paths and wooded trails may be more difficult to navigate at dusk.
Leashed dogs are welcome during general admission hours, including Thursday Summer Evenings. Please note that pets other than leashed dogs and service animals are not permitted at the Garden. Click here to learn more about our dog policies and guidelines.
We are open rain or shine for our Thursday Summer Evenings. In the case of inclement weather, live music and our beer garden bar will be moved indoors into one of our conservatories. Additional tables and chairs will be set up for audience seating. Outdoor activities such as lawn games and the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston will be cancelled. The Farmer and the Fork café will operate as normal.
In the case of hazardous weather, New England Botanic Garden may decide to close. If so, you will be notified by email as soon as possible on the day of your visit and you will receive a full refund for your general admission reservation.
Tickets for general admission are non-refundable after you have checked in. If you reserved your tickets in advance but decide before you arrive that you can no longer attend on the date for which you purchased tickets, you have several options. Click here to view our general admission Ticket Refund and Exchange Policy. None of these options will result in cash or credit card refunds for unused ticket purchase price.
After parking your vehicle, proceed up the path into the Visitors Center. If you reserved your general admission tickets in advance, please have your ticket/confirmation email printed or available to show on your phone for our front desk staff to check you in.
If you did not purchase your general admission tickets in advance, your reservation and payment will be completed on-site upon check-in at the front desk.
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 property closes at 9 p.m. in June and July and at 8 p.m. in August. We recommend scheduling rideshares in advance.
This event is generously sponsored by:
