La Calavera Catrina
November 1, 2022 – March 5, 2023
La Calavera Catrina features eight towering sculptures of La Catrina, one of the most recognizable figures of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Designed by Los Angeles-based artist Ricardo Soltero, these 8-foot-tall, brightly adorned sculptures will add an element of surprise to your Garden stroll. La Calavera Catrina is organized by Denver Botanic Gardens.
Music in the Garden
November 2022 – June 2023
Area musicians grace the outdoor stage overlooking the Water Garden the second Saturday of each month from October through June. Showtimes are 2 – 4pm during the months of October – May and from 12 – 2pm in June. Dates: November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10.
Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden
November 25 – December 23; December 26 – December 30, 2022; and January 1, 2023
Thousands of lights transform the Garden into a unique winter wonderland in this ever-changing annual display. See plants of the tropics and subtropics in an entirely new way, enjoy musical performances, and savor special fare from the Garden’s Fogg Café.
Frida and Her Garden
January 14 – September 10, 2023
Venture into the world of Frida Kahlo (1907 – 1954) as you explore a re-creation of La Casa Azul, the artist’s iconic blue home in Coyoacán, Mexico City. A year in the making, this exhibition is a garden within the Garden, teeming with plants that inspired her paintings, those that embellished her home, and those that reflect Mexico’s rich heritage. Throughout the Garden, you’ll also encounter monumental animal sculptures adorned with folk art representing important influences on Kahlo’s life and work. Special thanks to Banco de México Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums Trust.
Plein Air Fest
January 28, 2023, 10am – 2pm
Celebrate art in the Garden! Find inspiration in nature as over a dozen local artists work in the tradition of painting en plein air (“in the open air”). Visitors can ask questions, engage in conversation, and gain insight into a variety of artistic practices. Art-themed family activities will provide a hands-on experience, and aspiring artists of all ages are invited to get creative and make their own piece of plein air art to take home.
Sunset Wednesdays
Wednesdays in February, March, and April 2023, 5 – 8pm; Wednesdays in May, 5 – 8:30pm
Nothing beats winter in Florida. Celebrate midweek, as the Garden stays open late for guests to delight in the magic of a Naples sunset overlooking the Preserve and curated collections from throughout the tropical world.
ORIGINS: Patricia Cavazos
February 3 – May 29, 2023 in Fogg Café
Inspired by Mexican Folk art and her many visits to Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul, Patricia Cavazos uses vivid colors and forms to tell stories of the culture and history of her homeland, Mexico.
Frida After 5
First Fridays in February, March, and April 2023, 5 – 8pm; May, 5 – 8:30pm
Celebrate first Fridays with Frida! Bring your friends and family to meander through the Frida and Her Garden exhibition after hours, sip on themed cocktails, and enjoy festive music and dance on select nights. Dates are: February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5.
Annual Ikebana Exhibition
February 10 – 12, 2023, 9am – 5pm
Ikebana, the centuries-old meditative art of flower arrangement, is rooted in traditional philosophy and ancient Japanese folklore. Its modern interpretation enhances our living spaces with a personal touch of nature. This exhibit, hosted by Naples Ikebana International #160, features designs in the schools of Ikenobo, Sogetsu, Sensho Ikenobo, and Ohara.
Naples Orchid Society Show & Sale
February 24 – 26, 2023, 9am – 5pm
Orchids abound at this annual show celebrating the allure of these beauties. The show features prize-winning orchids of many species and hybrids, artistic displays of orchids in full bloom, and container and cut arrangements. Vendors offer a large selection of plants and orchid care supplies.
Naples Flower Show & Garden Market
March 17 & 18, 2023, 9am – 5pm
The Naples Flower Show, an annual partnership between the Garden and Naples Garden Club, has blossomed into the largest juried flower show in Florida, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy spectacular floral designs, botanical arts, tropical plants, educational displays, and interactive demonstrations. This year’s show is titled Just Imagine.
Mexico as Muse by Isabelle de Borchgrave
April 7 – June 11, Kapnick Hall
Inspired by a trip to Mexico and Frida Kahlo’s home, La Casa Azul, Isabelle de Borchgrave explores iconic symbols and traditions in Mexican culture. Through her intricately fashioned works of art, de Borchgrave acknowledges the interconnection between life and death — something of great importance both to Kahlo and Mexico. De Borchgrave’s works are constructed entirely from paper, playfully inviting the viewer to look deeply at the work as well as the complex ideas they represent.
Blooms & Brews
April 15, 2023, 6 – 10pm
Raise a glass to the plants that make beer happen! Savor the sunset, experience the Garden by night, enjoy bites available for purchase from Fogg Café, and sample craft beers from an assortment of microbreweries. Tickets go on sale March 15 and include beer samples and a commemorative Blooms & Brews glass.
Family Wonder Days
May 27 & 28, 2023, 9am – 5pm
Garden-wide adventures await with a weekend of wonderful games, activities, and scavenger hunts for the whole family! Grab an activity guide, and journey through the lush landscape to observe the birds, pollinators, and plants that make the Garden special. Local performers add to the fun with family-friendly music throughout the weekend.
Tasting the Tropics
July 1, 2023, 9am – 2pm
Enjoy the Garden’s most fruitful season with this tasty festival! Sample tropical fruits from around the world and discover some lesser-known fruiting plants grown in the Garden. Have you ever wondered how to open a coconut or jackfruit? Or wanted to know how to grow a pineapple? Learn the answers to these questions and more during our hands-on demonstrations, lively talks, and tours.
Waterlily Weekend
September 2 & 3, 2023, 9am – 2pm
This two-day festival will celebrate these water nymphs with special tours, demonstrations, and more when these blooming beauties are at their peak.
Supported by:
Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
