Friday, May 1–Sunday, May 3, 2026

Milestone Anniversary Coincides with Major Spring Exhibition, Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination

BOSTON (March 17, 2026)—The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), celebrates the return of spring with the 50th anniversary of its beloved Art in Bloom festival, taking place from Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 3. Since 1976, this annual celebration has paired art from the MFA’s collection—from ancient to contemporary—with floral interpretations created by New England garden clubs, professional designers, and MFA floral volunteers.

This milestone year coincides with the MFA’s major spring exhibition, Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination, an immersive journey through the Museum’s global collection that centers the garden as a fertile place for human creativity and imaginative possibility (on view through June 28). In addition to 50 interpretive arrangements throughout the galleries, highlights of this year’s celebration include a master class with florist and gardener Kim Lamothe of Newport's Greenlion Design.

Art in Bloom begins with a special preview of the freshly installed arrangements on Thursday, April 30. On Saturday and Sunday, Art in Bloom Guides will circulate the galleries, sharing insights about the floral designs and the artwork that inspired them. MFA members are invited to celebrate during Member Night on Saturday, May 2, featuring guided tours, art making, live music, dining, shopping, and access to all galleries and exhibitions. New to this year’s celebration, the Art in Bloom Family Day on Sunday, May 3, offers free admission for Boston students and their families through the City of Boston’s Boston Family Days program.

Art in Bloom is included with general admission, and tickets can be purchased in advance on mfa.org. Tickets for master classes are available on mfa.org.

Schedule of Activities

Preview Day

Thursday, April 30 (Noon–10 pm)

Art in Bloom will launch with a preview of freshly installed arrangements, giving visitors their first opportunity to discover this year’s art and floral pairings.

Art in Bloom Café

Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3

A pop-up café in the Koch Gallery (Gallery 250) will be open throughout the weekend, serving special food and beverage offerings.

Master Classes with Kim Lamothe of Greenlion

Saturday, May 2 (10:30 am and 2 pm)

Master florist and gardener Kim Lamothe of Greenlion, based in Newport, Rhode Island, will lead an in-depth floral design workshop. Participants will work with seasonal blooms to create a refined arrangement, with an emphasis on form, movement, and natural elegance. Advance registration is required.

Art in Bloom Guides

Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 (10:30 am–4:30 pm)

On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can discover more about the floral designs and the artwork that inspired them by connecting with volunteer Art in Bloom Guides in the galleries.

Member Night

Saturday, May 2 (6–10 pm)

Members are invited to an exclusive evening viewing of Art in Bloom with free guided tours, art-making activities, live music, dining, shopping, and access to all galleries and exhibitions, including Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination. Advance registration is required; tickets are free for members and available on mfa.org.

Art in Bloom Family Day

Sunday, May 3 (10 am–4 pm)

Boston students and their families enjoy free admission on Sunday, May 3, through the City of Boston’s Boston Family Days program. Special Art in Bloom activities include drop-in art making, story hour, an interactive session with floral designer Jimmy Guzman, and a LEGO flower-building experience presented by LEGO Discovery Center Boston.

Sponsors

Art in Bloom is sponsored by the MFA Associates and PNC Bank. Additional support is provided by Arbella Insurance Foundation, Print House, Yellow Wood Partners, and The Newbury of Brookline. Media partner is Boston magazine.

About the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The MFA brings many worlds together through art. Showcasing masterpieces from ancient to contemporary, our renowned collection of more than half a million works tells a multifaceted story of the human experience—a story that holds unique meaning for everyone. From Boston locals to international travelers, visitors from all over come to experience the MFA—where they reveal connections, explore differences and create a community where all belong.

Open six days a week, the MFA’s hours are Saturday through Monday, 10 am–5 pm; Wednesday, 10 am–5 pm; and Thursday–Friday, 10 am–10 pm. Admission is $30 for adults; $14 for youths ages 7–17; and free for University Members and youths ages 6 and younger. The Museum offers $5 minimum, pay-what-you-wish admission after 5 pm on the third Thursday of every month, as well as free admission for Massachusetts residents on four open houses throughout the year (Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Indigenous Peoples' Day). Plan your visit at mfa.org.