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Venture into Cheekwood’s gardens and then experiment in the studio with layering materials and blending textures to capture the colors and shapes of the season. Explore fresh ways to translate nature’s beauty into dynamic mixed-media compositions.
Connect with nature while creating something unique in this hands-on workshop focused on weaving with natural materials. Learn how to prepare wild vines and use them to weave your own beautiful basket.
Judy Scoville, Nashville Nature Explorers
FLC Studios
Not Yet Members: $60
Members: $48
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10 AM & 12 PM
Enjoy two performances by the Nashville Opera featuring love songs/arias.
2 PM
The Nashville Puppet Truck will give a free performance at 2 PM.
Elizabethan Silhouettes Activity | 10 AM – 2 PM
Learn about fashion in the age of Queen Elizabeth and then dress a silhouette using coffee filters and watercolors.
Historic Garden Design: Selections from England, France, and Italy
Explore iconic garden styles from England’s varied landscapes to France’s formal parterre, and Italy’s Renaissance villas. Discover key design elements and historical context.
Instructor
Dr. Marc Lavine, Retired Historian
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Shakespeare in the Gardens | 6 – 9 PM
Experience special performances by The Nashville Shakespeare Festival among the Castles and a Shakespearean Cocktail Crawl.
9 AM – 4 PM
The Country Music Hall of Fame brings its Musical Petting Zoo (10 AM – 12 PM) to Cheekwood and pays tribute to Taylor Swift with a Dance Party featuring some of her most beloved songs and a Friendship Bracelet Making Station (12 – 2 PM).
Tennessee Wildflowers Seed Bombs | 10 AM – 2 PM
Country music isn’t the only thing native to Tennessee! Learn about the native wildflowers that blanket the state and make your own seed bomb to take home and plant.
Designing Native Plant Gardens
Tennessee is one of the most biodiverse states in the country. Learn how to design a native plant garden that showcases Middle Tennessee’s splendor and supports local ecosystems.
Instructor
Paul Prill, Master Gardener
Register
Under the Stars: An Evening with Rodney Crowell | 7 PM
Legendary singer, songwriter, and Grammy Award winner Rodney Crowell brings his timeless talent to Cheekwood for an intimate concert amid the beautiful gardens.
10 AM – 2 PM
The Groovin’ in the Garden Festival will be an electrifying day of rock ’n’ roll performed by some of the coolest kid bands around. These talented music students will blow you away with their undeniable energy.
Know a kid who rocks? Sign up below for a chance to join in the fun as young musicians take over the stage.
Performers must be under the age of 16 and must have parental approval.
Groovin’ in the Garden Application
Make a Maraca | 10 AM – 2 PM
We’re grooving in the garden today, so make a maraca and dance to your own rhythm.
Dig In: Kid-Friendly Gardening
Get your hands dirty together! This kid-friendly class blends fun, take-home gardening activities with composting and soil care basics. Open to adults and accompanying children.
Instructor
Kaitlyn McGrath, Cheekwood
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Thursday Night Out featuring Sunny Dada and Afrokokoroot | 5 – 9 PM
Join us for a special Thursday Night Out featuring Sunny Dada and his AfrikokoRoot Afrobeat Ensemble. Sunny Dada, with his 12-piece band, will bring the vibrant rhythms of Afrobeat, blending traditional African music with jazz, funk, and soul.
9:30 – 2:30 PM
The Nashville Zoo brings three animal ambassadors to see and learn about. Travel throughout Cheekwood’s grounds and visit our Education Stations where you can step into the world of pollinators and understand the science behind a rain garden.
3-D Bluebirds Activity | 10 AM – 2 PM
Of the many things to see at Nashville’s best outdoor classroom, the bluebirds are among the prettiest! Make your own bluebird to take home with you.
Bringing Birds to Your Garden
Explore practical options to attract birds and wildlife. Learn about plants, structures, and practices that support bird populations and create a lively ecosystem you can enjoy year-round.
Instructor
Pandy Upchurch, Tennessee Healthy Habitats
Register
Movie Night in the Gardens | Gates Open 7:30 PM, Showtime 8 PM
Watch one of the greatest stories of true love, The Princess Bride, unfold on the big screen while relaxing outdoors.
10 AM & 12 PM
Rejuvenate in nature at a free wellness class, including a morning Beginner Yoga class and a noon Sound Bath Meditation with Small World Yoga. Just bring a mat and join in!
Love Grows Here Activity | 10 AM – 2 PM
Design your own flower-filled heart and take a little Cheekwood love home with you.
Touch Grass: Mental Health Benefits of Nature
Discover nature’s impact on your well-being. Learn the science of nature-based wellness, then participate in a mindful forest walk with a certified local guide.
Instructor
Sarah Champion, Certified Guide, Association of Nature & Forest Therapy
Register
All You Need is Love Concert | 6 PM
Join us on Arboretum Lawn for a special concert featuring Forever Abbey Road. This incredible collective of top Nashville musicians will perform an electrifying set of Beatles hits with dynamic energy and exceptional musicianship. Get ready to experience the timeless music of The Beatles like never before.
We invite you to share why you love Cheekwood. Your heartwarming experiences and memories will help spread the love and joy found at Cheekwood every day.
In gratitude for sharing your stories, we are giving away a complimentary LOVE sticker, seed packet, and yard sign that you may pick up during our Community Celebration, June 3 – 7 (while supplies last). Stop by the LOVE TEAM table from 9 AM – 4PM.
| Daytime: Tues-Thurs | Daytime: Fri-Sun | |||
| Gardens Only | Gardens + Mansion | Gardens Only | Gardens + Mansion | |
| Adults | $10 | $13 | $11 | $14 |
| Senior | $9 | $12 | $10 | $13 |
| College | $8 | $11 | $9 | $12 |
| Youth | $7 | $10 | $8 | $11 |
| Ages 2 & Under | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE |
| Member Adult | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE |
| Member Youth | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE |
All paid tickets will have a $2 service fee. Community Week, Non-Members will need to pay a $5 per vehicle parking fee.
Artist Becky Suss will discuss the inspiration behind her exhibition The Dutch House in conjunction with Ann Patchett, author of The Dutch House (Harper Collins, 2019) and Noah Saterstrom, cover artist for The Dutch House novel. Suss’s paintings explore themes of memory, domesticity, and identity and are based on her artistic interpretation of the fictional setting in Patchett’s novel, which was a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction.
Painter of all works featured in The Dutch House exhibition
Photo by Ryan Collerd
Author of The Dutch House novel
Painter of The Dutch House cover art
Throughout the past year, Laura has been working behind-the-scenes in collaboration with Cheekwood staff to create the 2024 holiday mansion decor, featuring her signature lush and lively style. With an overarching theme of “Gifts of the Garden,” Laura designed room-by-room displays that complement the mansion’s architectural and decorative features. In this special lecture focused on both her design inspiration and favorite tips and techniques, Laura will share insights on her creative process, including how she conceptualized the special colors, projects and designs featured at Cheekwood this year. She’ll also describe lessons gleaned from her White House years and how she uses a few key elements to create inspiring, flexible (and achievable) holiday decor at home.
In addition to previewing the décor at the Mansion, Laura will debut her new book on Christmas decorating, Designing Christmas. The book contains practical tips and step-by-step instructions to inspire readers to incorporate holiday décor in their homes using Laura’s 10 favorite design elements and 10 different design schemes ranging from classic and sophisticated to whimsical and charming. A limited number of preview copies of Designing Christmas will be available exclusively for purchase at Cheekwood’s gift shops and at Laura’s lectures and workshops.
December 6
Celebrate the holiday season with a lineup of festive activities. Begin your day by viewing a special installation of holiday décor by former White House Florist Laura Dowling, and then attend a lecture where Dowling personally discusses her craft and gives tips on how to recreate stunning displays like the ones she created for Cheekwood. After the lecture, relax with holiday tea at Café 29.
This all-inclusive package includes:
Please note: Guests should view the Laura Dowling: Gifts of the Garden Mansion decor installation prior to the lecture. Tea service will be post-lecture. Cheekwood closes at 3:30 PM.
Add a touch of whimsy and enchantment to your holiday decor with a garden-themed topiary tree adorned with ribbons and butterflies in vibrant hues, similar to the striking trees displayed in the Cheekwood Drawing Room this year. In this hands-on workshop, Laura will guide you through her design process for creating a table-top topiary tree featuring colorful ornaments, delicate flowers and playful butterflies – all tied together with her signature ribbon designs. You’ll learn expert techniques for creating a light, airy and whimsical tree that captures the essence of an enchanted garden.
As Chief Floral Designer at the White House from 2009 – 2015, Laura created the dazzling displays that made the season memorable and delighted visitors from around the country. From the majestic Blue Room tree and charming Red Room traditions to the unique floral embellishments featured throughout the historic state rooms, Laura created festive designs that celebrated beloved Christmas and White House traditions. In this special lecture that will kick off the 2024 Cheekwood holiday season, Laura will give an overview of iconic White House Christmas moments over the years and share behind-the-scenes stories, amusing anecdotes and special tips for creating beautiful holiday displays at home.
