Cheekwood is the best place in Nashville to experience one of nature’s most dramatic and exciting performances—the arrival of spring.
Cheekwood will welcome the new season with broad strokes of fresh color and life during Cheekwood in Bloom, with 55,000 stunning tulips of every hue bursting from our incredible gardens. The seasonal celebration will also feature over 250 varieties of daffodils, bright pops of dogwood color, classic magnolias, vibrant iris, stunning viburnums and more.
“We’ve spent months preparing for the spring season,” said Hillary Steinwinder, director of Education and Public Programs at Cheekwood. “We know Nashville expects a spectacular display of blooms and color, and this year will be exceptionally beautiful. We’re excited to continue some of our most loved programs, like Spring Art Hop, and we’re adding some new activities, too. We’re thrilled to share it all with our members and guests throughout the spring!”
With a full calendar of special spring activities, garden tours and musical experiences, visitors of all ages will find the perfect spring day at Cheekwood. Following is a full schedule of all events and programs; complete details are available at cheekwood.org.
SATURDAYS:
Family Studio Drop-In ‘ART’ivities
Saturdays, March 23 – April 27
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Visitors can drop-in on Saturday to create spring-themed art projects – open to all ages.
Live Music: Nashville Jazz Workshop Ensemble in the Herb Garden
Saturdays, March 23 – April 27
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Garden Tales
Saturdays, March 23 – April 27
10:30 am
Using song, dance, and interactive reading, storyteller Rachel Sumner will bring nature-themed books to life. Weather permitting, the program will be held in the Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden.
Live Music: Steinway Piano Society Members in the Museum of Art
Saturdays, March 23 – April 27
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Enjoy the sounds of live piano music as you stroll through the galleries.
Guided Garden Tour
Saturdays, March 23 – April 27
11:00 am
Guided Museum Tour
Saturdays, March 23 – April 27
11:00 am – Collection & Exhibition Tour
1:00 pm – House & History Tour
SUNDAYS:
Guided Greenhouse Tour
Sundays, March 24 – April 28
12:00 pm
Visitors are invited to join Cheekwood’s expert garden staff for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Production Greenhouses. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guided Museum Tour
Sundays, March 24 – April 28
1:00 pm
Topic: House and History: Cheekwood as a Country Place Estate
Drawing Room Concert Series featuring Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music
Sundays, March 24 – April 28
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Talented musicians from Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music will come to Cheekwood this spring to offer a fantastic Sunday concert series in the Museum’s intimate Drawing Room.
March 24: Blair Chamber Choir
March 31: Gayle Shay, mezzo-soprano, and Jennifer McGuire, piano
April 7: Jared Hauser, oboe
April 14: Jessica Blackwell, violin
April 21: Student Ensemble
April 28: Lauren Coplan, piano
Specialty Programs
Saturday, March 23
12:00 pm
The Nashville Ballet presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream Storytime
Dancers from the Nashville Ballet will use beautiful costumes and movements to tell this famous Shakespeare tale. Visitors will enjoy the bountiful blooms and delightful dancing, plus learn a few ballet steps from the best in the business.
Saturday, March 30
SPRING ART HOP
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Visitors will celebrate the beauty of the season at Cheekwood’s 21st annual Spring Art Hop. Over 20,000 candy-filled eggs will be hidden throughout the gardens for egg hunts every half hour as well as arts and crafts, musicians, live entertainment and more! Special Event Rates Apply.
$15 Adults, $12 Seniors, $8 Kids 3 – 17, Free 2 and Under.
$5 Cheekwood Members, Free for Cheekwood members’ children.
Saturday, April 6
Family Day in celebration of Dorothy O’Connor’s Shelter
This fun day of art and activities is planned in honor of the 2013 Martin Shallenberger Artist-in-Residence and the opening of her exhibition. Visitors will have a chance to meet the artist as she discusses her work in the gallery.
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Family Studio Drop-In ‘ART’ivities & Community Art Project
12:00 pm: Artist Remarks in the Gallery
Saturday, April 13
TACA Day
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Members of the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA) will be ready to show visitors the ins and outs of their trade through hands-on demonstrations, and discuss how flowers and nature inspire their work.
Saturday, April 20
“Canopy Climb” Experience
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Climb to new heights and explore Cheekwood’s trees like never before! Get a unique ‘tree’s-eye view’ of the Garden as you hang out amongst the branches. Facilitated by a certified international tree-climbing specialist, ascend to the crown of a tree with the same rope and saddle method used by canopy researchers, employing the safest and most versatile climbing techniques for the beginner. The entire experience includes a brief tree-climbing introduction and safety lesson, gear fitting and instruction, ascent, exploration, and descent and lasts approximately 20 minutes.
The Canopy Climb is first-come, first-served and open to adults and children ages 5 and over.
Earth Day Family Concert with Ginger Sands
12:00 pm
Sing, dance and celebrate the earth with an exciting performance by a talented local musician and garden enthusiast!
There’s more. Check out our visiting Worm Farm from Worm’s Way to learn how our slimy friends help the environment.
Saturday, April 27
Nashville Public Library Puppet Truck & Wishing Chair Productions present Many Moons
12:00 pm
The entire family will enjoy this musical version of Many Moons, the Caldecott-Award winning classic that dives into the world of wizards, princesses, and a bit of mystery! Featuring the fabulous Peeko Puppets, this show will have visitors hooked in no time.
Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate. Our mission is to preserve Cheekwood as an historical landmark where beauty and excellence in art and horticulture stimulate the mind and nurture the spirit. Cheekwood is located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive in Nashville, 8 miles southwest of downtown Nashville. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, seniors $10 and children 3-17 are $5. Parking is $3 per car. Admission during Bruce Munro Light Nights will be $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for children 3-17, and $5 for Cheekwood members. For further information call 615 356-8000 or visit www.cheekwood.org.