NYBG’s newest event, Starry Nights, is a botanical celebration inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s love for nature and the open sky. With real sunflowers, contemporary art installations, live music, light bites and delicious drinks for purchase, and—conditions permitting—a drone show, it makes for a lovely summer night out in the city. Here’s why we think you should check it out:
It’s a botanical wonderland with seasonal blooms
Summer’s officially here, so Starry Nights at NYBG make for the perfect adventure! We’d go just for the flowers alone — stunning blooms and contemporary art installations — but the handcrafted cocktails, light bites and French bistro-inspired live music add to the summer vibes. Evoking the Provençal cafés Van Gogh frequented, a local acoustic quartet will transport you to 19th-century France without leaving NYC.
The drone show is the first of its kind in NYC
What’s more, Starry Nights ends with a breathtaking drone show, conditions permitting. The 10-minute spectacle brings Van Gogh’s art to life overhead, capturing “the twinkling allure of the artist’s nighttime scenery.” It’s the first experience of its kind at a cultural institution in NYC, with hundreds of drones painting the sky with light and color. You don’t want to miss it!
It reimagines Van Gogh’s art in an interactive way
Van Gogh is one of the most influential artists in the world. NYBG highlights this legacy in stunning ways, whether it be through a field of real sunflowers, contemporary art installations (by Lee Baker and Catherine Borowski of Graphic Rewilding, sculptor Amie J. Jacobsen, and immersive artist Cyril Lancelin), or the breathtaking drone show in the evening. It’s a true celebration of the artist’s genius!
It’s the family-friendly adventure of the summer
Starry Nights at NYBG is open to all ages! Kids will be mesmerized by the interactive installations and activities of the Garden. You can even make an entire day out of it — visiting the stunning gardens by day and taking in the drone show by night if the weather allows. Plus, group bundles go for $51 (compared to $59 general admission) so you’ll want to make the most of it!
It will only be around for a limited time
Starry Nights won’t be at NYBG forever. The experience is set to pack its bags in late October as the seasons change, so be sure to book your spot while you still can. Nothing screams ‘summer’ quite like stunning flowers, outdoor activities and seasonal drinks… So book your spot for Van Gogh’s Starry Nights!
People can’t rave about it enough
Since it opened, NYBG’s Starry Nights has charmed NYers:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Van Gogh installation, sunflower garden, Pilobolus dancers, and stunning drone show made it a night to remember. Emily R.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Van Gogh’s Flowers was a multilayered sensory experience. The drone show illuminated the night sky with delicate lights forming Van Gogh-inspired images – truly magical and unforgettable. Olivia K.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best experiences I’ve had. The combination of the garden’s flowers, Van Gogh’s artwork, live music, and the drone show was simply breathtaking. Michael J.
