All you need is love and 250,000 blooming bulbs to celebrate the spring season in Nashville for the annual Cheekwood in Bloom, taking place March 8 through April 13, 2025.
The centerpiece of Cheekwood’s annual beloved springtime festival is thousands of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths swirling through the Bradford Robertson Color Garden and spilling out across the estate. From bright yellow and white daffodils, to pink, red, orange, yellow, lilac and apricot tulips and white and pink flowering dogwoods, the bold shades of spring will warm the heart.
“Throughout 2025, you will find the spirit of love woven into every corner of Cheekwood as we celebrate the ways art, nature and community intersect” says Cheekwood President and CEO Jane MacLeod.
The American LOVE – White Blue Red – Robert Indiana
In addition, a world-renowned sculpture will take center stage on the front lawn of the Historic Mansion and capture the hearts of visitors. Robert Indiana’s iconic “LOVE” sculpture is regarded as one of the most celebrated works in the pop art movement. The 8-foot-tall eye-catching piece features large, stacked letters with a slanted “O” spelling out the word LOVE. In a variety of colors, sizes and languages Indiana’s LOVE sculptures have been exhibited all over the world spreading messages of peace, unity and joy for all.
Guests will also feel the love throughout the five-week seasonal festival during musical performances in the Beer Garden each weekend and a variety of weekend festivities.
Music In the Beer Garden Performances:
- March 8: Chris Walters Trio
- March 9: Jeff Picker
- March 15: Charles Treadway Organ Trio
- March 16: Parker James, Paul DeFiglia & Charles Breaux
- March 23: Carmen Dianne
- March 29: Austin John Organ Trio
- March 30: Yates McKendree
- April 5: Brenna MacMillan
- April 6: John England and the Western Swingers
- April 12: Denny Jiosa
- April 13: Sunny Dada & his AfrikokoRoot Afrobeat Ensemble
- April 20: Explorers Club
- April 26: Volcano Brothers
- April 27: Les Sabler
More Special Events:
Spring Afternoon Tea in Café 29
March 11 – April 10 | Tuesdays & Thursdays | 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Cheekwood’s popular Afternoon Tea continues with a new spring menu of refreshing seasonal teas and delicious sweet and savory bites. Treat your friends and family to a special outing of tableside service for parties of 2 or 4 people. Tea service is $50 per person for Cheekwood members and $50 plus the cost of a Gardens and Mansion admission ticket for non-members.
Holi
March 22 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Hindu “Festival of Spring” and “Festival of Colors” introduces visitors to the vibrant sights, sounds, and colors of Indian culture. It is the first of four multi-cultural festivals celebrated throughout the year at Cheekwood. The event features popular color throwing sessions where guests toss vibrant colored powder, or gulal, in the air or on themselves. There will also be hands-on activities for all ages, tasty fare from local food vendors, shopping opportunities, and music and dance performances.
Middle Tennessee Daffodil Show
March 22 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
March 23 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Middle Tennessee Daffodil Society (MTDS) hosts the annual Middle Tennessee Daffodil Show, approved by the American Daffodil Society. The show in Massey Auditorium inside Botanic Hall is open to the public and features divisions for horticulture, photography and floral design.
Native Plant Sale
April 12 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. or until plants are sold out
The Garden Club of Nashville’s 18th Annual Native Plant Sale in the Frist Learning Center will feature a variety of native plants, including azaleas. Experts will be available to answer questions about plant care. Proceeds benefit The Howe Garden at Cheekwood.
Great Spring Art Hop
April 18 & 19 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hop into spring with a lively weekend filled with 48 egg hunts for children in every age group. In addition to egg hunts featuring 36,000 eggs throughout the weekend, guests can go on a scavenger hunt for larger-than-life bunny murals that are created by Nashville artists and hidden throughout the gardens, and enjoy local food trucks, musical performances and more.
Dogs & Dogwoods
April 26 & 27 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Dogs & Dogwoods is happening in tandem with Arbor Day, and during this event, guests can bring their four-legged best friends to Cheekwood all weekend and enjoy a springtime stroll through the Carell Dogwood Garden. Festivities also include dog vendors, food trucks, and musical performances in the Beer Garden.
Arbor Day
April 26 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cheekwood’s nationally accredited Arboretum is the perfect setting to immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of trees. In honor of Tennessee’s beloved native tree species, the dogwood, the first 500 visitors can take home a dogwood tree sapling to plant at home. Guests can also peruse books about trees, try their luck at tree trivia, view closeup images of a dogwood flower via a microscope and take a dogwood-themed art class.
Spring Adult Workshops
Adult Hands-On Workshops at Cheekwood are inspired by Cheekwood’s gardens and seasonal exhibitions. From traditional crafts to contemporary techniques, each workshop offers the chance to make something new under the guidance of an expert instructor. Whether you’re an experienced artist, developing a new skill, or looking for a fun outing with friends and family, the workshops provide an opportunity to unleash your creativity and connect with local artists. See the full list of classes and register here.
Gourd Birdhouses
March 15 | 1 p.m. | April Greene
Learn how to clean, carve, and decorate natural gourds, transforming them into unique, eco-friendly birdhouses that blend creativity with environmental conservation.
Bee Houses
April 5 | 10 a.m. | J.R. Ramsey
Support local pollinators by building your very own bee house. Learn how to design, assemble, clean, and maintain these sustainable homes to support the natural ecosystem of your garden or backyard.
Advance reservations are required for spring events at Cheekwood. For the latest on ticket prices and to purchase tickets visit cheekwood.org.
