The Brooklyn Botanic Garden unveiled its 2026 calendar, offering a wide-ranging lineup of public programs, exhibitions, seasonal events and educational initiatives that reflect the borough’s deep-rooted culture of community and environmental stewardship.
This year’s programming places a strong focus on neighborhood gardening, marking the 30th anniversary of the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest, while also launching a new long-term fellowship that blends art, ecology and public engagement.
“BBG’s 2026 programming reflects the energy, multiculturalism, and joy of our surrounding communities,” said Kathryn Glass, co-interim director of Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Throughout the year, the garden will spotlight the people and stories behind Brooklyn’s vibrant community gardening movement. A major exhibition, Block by Block: Celebrating 30 Years of Community Greening, opens May 23 and runs through Oct. 25. The show highlights the collective effort that has transformed streets across the borough, bringing recognition to residents who have turned sidewalks, stoops and shared spaces into thriving green environments.
The exhibition recreates stoops from five past winning blocks, transporting elements of these neighborhoods into the garden itself. Each installation reflects the distinct character of its block, complete with plantings and personal touches that speak to pride, care and collaboration. Visitors will be encouraged to draw inspiration for their own neighborhoods, with related programming including workshops, tours, a summer block party and the announcement of this year’s contest winners in August.
Also debuting on May 23 is Ancestral Ecologies, the inaugural exhibition of the new Heidi Nitze Art × Environment Fellowship. The long-term initiative invites artists and environmental thinkers to develop site-specific installations that promote ecological awareness and scientific curiosity. The first fellows, artist Olalekan Jeyifous and the environmental art and architecture practice AD—WO, present a series of works exploring how African Diasporic and Latinx cultural traditions can inform contemporary relationships with nature.
Installed in the garden’s north end, the pieces examine ideas of animism and interconnected ecosystems, drawing from both spiritual traditions and the garden’s own diverse plant environments. The installations incorporate materials such as bioderived fibers, glass, seedpods and earthen elements, while also integrating community participation and storytelling.
During BBG in Bloom from April 1 to May 10, BBG offers extended morning and evening hours and special programs to make the most of the season. Advance admission is required during this period.
BBG’s popular Hanami Nights returns April 21–24. Spend an evening at BBG and celebrate hanami—the Japanese tradition of experiencing the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossom season—beneath BBG’s exquisite flowering cherry tree collection, lit up for maximum effect. Find a spot on Cherry Esplanade to enjoy the blossoms and savor the spring vibe with family and friends. Stroll in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden and along Cherry Walk, try your hand at origami and other Japanese crafts, view a curated display of bonsai, and enjoy live performances and Japanese snacks, dinner, and sake for purchase from expanded pop-up bars.
Weekends in Bloom return on Sundays, May 3 and 10. Celebrate the spring blooms at BBG with casual, pop-up music and dance performances, morning programming for kids and families in the Discovery Garden, and garden tours. Programs included with garden admission.
Summer
To make the most of summer, the garden offers extended evening hours, live music and performances, and pop-up programs for kids and adults. Visitors can stay late on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from May through September; BBG members also enjoy Members’ Summer Evenings on Wednesdays in the summer with exclusive access and special programming, including Members’ Rose Night, Pride Night, and Movie Night.
BBG will mark the start of summer with sunrise and sunset Summer Solstice performances on June 21, presented in partnership with Metropolis Ensemble. Jazz in July returns with live jazz on Thursday evenings presented in partnership with local arts organizations. On July 20, experience a collaborative soundscape exploring the connections between Brooklyn Botanic Garden and its community with a Soundbath on Cherry Esplanade. And to close out summer and celebrate Brooklyn’s West Indian community, BBG and I AM caribBEING present the fifth annual Little Caribbean Last Lap Garden Fête on Aug. 25 featuring live DJs, a curated cocktail and food menu inspired by Caribbean flavors, and a tour of tropical and Caribbean plants.
Fall
As part of Gardens for Peace, organized by the North American Japanese Garden Association, BBG will feature free public programming in its Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden on Sept. 12. The Fall Plant Sale also returns Oct. 15, offering a curated selection of plants for your home and garden.
BBG’s Fall Harvest Festival also returns for a second year on Oct. 24. Celebrate the fall season surrounded by some of Brooklyn’s most fabulous foliage. Enjoy live music, hands-on activities for families, and more. Come dressed in your best flannel—or a costume for an afternoon parade.
