Things To Do This Summer

Summer is thriving here at the Garden! Enjoy the sunshine, explore our outdoor spaces, attend a special event, and connect with loved ones surrounded by nature’s beauty.

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Your best summer starts here.

Summer starts here at Cleveland Botanical Garden. Stroll sun-soaked paths, discover lush indoor and outdoor gardens, and get up close with tropical butterflies in flight. From interactive classes to family-friendly experiences, every visit brings something new to explore.

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Summer Nights at CBG

Open Late Every Thursday

50% off admission 5-8pm

Enjoy the café, glasshouses, your favorite outdoor gardens, and special evening events. Admission is free for HF&G members.

View summer nights schedule

Gourmets at the Garden

June 18

Spice Catering

July 9

Chef Bianca Beach

July 30

Chef Eric Wells

August 20

Chef Ryan Boone

The 2026 Gourmets at the Garden series will highlight summertime favorites featuring local chefs in the Cleveland area. Guests are invited to enjoy sample bite-sized portions from their favorite chefs and learn how to make great dishes at home with local ingredients.

Learn more

Gardens Alive!

June

Roses

July

Lilies & Daylilies

August

Hershey Children’s Garden

A season-long celebration at Cleveland Botanical Garden highlights vibrant color, texture, and living beauty as different garden areas or signature flowers take center stage beginning in April. Visitors can enjoy immersive garden displays, hands-on activities for all ages, and fresh, photo-worthy ways to connect with the landscapes they love.

More info

Return of the Butterflies

Daily Releases

11am & 2pm

Step into the Costa Rica biome and surround yourself with hundreds of newly emerged tropical butterflies. Watch as they flutter through the glasshouse, sip nectar from vibrant blooms, and bring the entire space to life with motion and color.

Learn more

Hershey Children’s Garden Activities

Story Time

Tuesdays, 11am-12:30pm

Pot a Seed

Tuesdays, 11am-1pm and 2:30-4pm

Pond Exploration

Thursdays, 11am-12:30pm, 2:30-3pm; Saturdays, 11am-12:30pm

Art in the Garden

Wednesdays and Fridays, 11am–1pm; Sundays, 12:30–2:30pm

Bugs in the Garden

Wednesdays and Fridays, 2:30–4pm

Turtle Time

Saturdays and Sundays, 2:30–4pm

Help your child disconnect from technology and discover the wonders of nature. The Hershey Children’s Garden features an ADA-accessible treehouse and pathway throughout the garden, as well as immersive hands-on activities like making mud pies and searching for insects and arthropods in our lush foliage.

Learn more

Garden Highlights Tours

Select Thursdays, 6:30-7:30pm

$7 per member, $22 per nonmember (includes admission)

Go beyond the plant labels with this tour of our beautiful gardens. Each tour will highlight our history and collections while wandering through a changing tapestry of seasonal delights.

Sign up for a tour

Essential Herb Garden Experiences

Monthly 30-minute talks

Free for members, $21 per nonmember

June 16

Historic Roses

July 7

Savory Herbs

August 11

Lavender

August 25

Sweet Herbs

September 8

Harvesting and Drying Herbs & Flowers

Members of the Western Reserve Herb Society have lovingly maintained the Herb Garden since 1969 and are excited to share their expertise! Join us in the garden on select Tuesdays for a 30-minute talk about herbs and flowers grown in the garden, their cultivation, and uses in food and crafts.

Register now

Five Senses Garden Exhibition

Now through Labor Day

Included with admission

A new experience invites guests to awaken their senses and dive into our plant collections like never before. Explore immersive activities woven throughout our indoor and outdoor gardens—each designed to spark wonder through sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.

Art on Display

Planet Joy

May 30-July 5

Birdsong

April 11-July 5

Brian Asquith

May 30-September 20

Our galleries are home to seasonally-rotating local artists and their nature-inspired works. This spring, we welcome back the Boruca Masks, as well as Birdsong, a breath-taking installation featuring birds designed by over 180 artists.

Learn more