With summer on our heels, there’s no better respite from NYC’s sweaty streets than a visit to the gorgeous green oasis, Brooklyn Botanic Garden. And this summer, there’s going to be live music, special events, and special after hours access to the grounds to keep the fun going all season long!
So instead of raising your electric bill by staying in your apartment cranking the AC, spend a summer day exploring the many exhibits and programs (all free with Garden admission) at the exciting events happening below:
Summer Evenings
Brooklyn Botanic Garden will host Summer Evenings with extended after hours access on Tuesday and Thursday nights for all visitors, and Wednesday exclusively for BBG members. Everything on the premises including the garden, shops and dining will remain open until 8:30pm.
On Thursday evenings there will be jazz at Cherry Esplanade & Plant Family Central Lawn. Running from 6-8pm on July 6, 13, 20 & 27, BBG has partnered with local arts organizations to curate each performance in part of its Art in the Garden series.
Other events to note include Floresta: Soundbath with Angélica Negrón, Darian Donovan Thomas, and Raquel Acevedo Klein on July 24th. Guests will be surrounded by unfolding soundscapes from three musicians using voices, violin, plants, flowers, bells, synths, accordion, water, found objects, and mechanical percussion. The dynamic and immersive production is inspired by the underground communication network between trees and will highlight nature as MIDI Sprout technology translates biodata from plants into music.
There will also be a Fête with I AM caribBEING on Tuesday, August 29 from 6–9 p.m. at the Lily Pool Terrace & Discovery Garden. This will be the event’s second year celebrating Brooklyn’s West Indian community. Expect DJs and summer cocktails, all happening ahead of the annual West Indian Day Parade.
Art in the Garden
This summer, Brooklyn Botanic Garden will host a variety of exhibits and outdoor sculptures to admire. You’ll want to catch Power of Trees (running from June 17 – October 22, 2023), complete with visual art, performances, special tours, family programming, science demonstrations and more. The garden-wide exhibit explores trees serving as the pillars of our natural and cultural worlds.
Six site-specific sculptures from upcoming New York artists will be showcased in another exhibition titled Branching Out. Co-commissioned by BBG and AnkhLave Arts Alliance and curated by Cecelia André, the exhibit is centered around the theme of trees as community hosts. Branching Out belongs to the AnkhLave Garden Project, a series highlighting local BIPOC artists through art exhibitions displayed in public gardens.
Lastly, don’t miss the multi-sensory exhibit, Jean-Michel Othoniel: The Flowers of Hypnosis. Scattered throughout the garden, onlookers will discover six sculpture’s all influenced by the observation of nature and flowers. Begin at the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden to find three golden sculptures around the pond before heading to Fragrance Garden to stimulate your sense of smell and touch. The exhibition will reach to the Lily Pool Terrace where two gigantic mirror bead sculptures will protrude from the pools to play with reflections.