The artistry of
autumn
Experience the beauty of Autumn at Meijer Gardens. This enchanting season features vibrant chrysanthemum displays, stunning fall foliage, and family-friendly activities throughout the gardens.
Enjoy special events, educational programs, and the serene beauty of nature as you explore this seasonal wonderland. Admission is free for members or included with daily tickets. Join us for a memorable autumn experience!
Autumn at Meijer gardens
Highlights
Mums at Meijer Gardens
October 1-31, 2024
Mums at Meijer Gardens returns for its 26th year, showcasing Michigan’s largest display of chrysanthemums. Formerly known as Chrysanthemums & More!, this vibrant event features thousands of garden and specialty mums in stunning autumn colors, including red, orange, bronze, and white.
New this year are innovative plantings such as mum walls and trellises, enhancing the visual appeal throughout the gardens. The Grand Entry Garden impresses with its bold color-blocking patterns, while the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse offers a rich tapestry of hues and textures.
Visitors can also enjoy creative floral arrangements designed by local florists in the BISSELL Corridor, celebrating the mum’s beauty. The Earl & Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor adds to the spectacle with its colorful displays.
Join the festivities every Tuesday in October until 9 PM, featuring the Glow Garden, food trucks, and live entertainment. Admission is free for members or included with daily tickets. Experience the splendor of autumn at Meijer Gardens!
Autumn Nights Schedule of Events
| 5 pm | Glow Garden begins (ends at 8:30 pm) |
| Food service at Eileen DeVries Concession Center begins | |
| Food trucks at Michigan Farm Garden begins (service ends at 8 pm) | |
| 6 pm | Music in the Amphitheater begins (ends at 8 pm) |
| Pumpkin Carving Demonstration begins in the Barn (6-7p) | |
| 6:45 pm | Acoustic Performer in Michigan’s Farm Garden Begins |
FAQs
Yes, chairs and picnicking are allowed in the Amphitheater.
The Eileen DeVries Concessions Building will feature specialty fall treats and beverages. The Balk Café will be open inside the building. Lazy Dazy Coffee Truck and Olly’s Donuts will be present at Michigan’s Farm Garden.
We are now a cashless venue! Credit and debit cards will be accepted at the Box Office, Eileen DeVries Concession Center and the food trucks.
A “Reverse ATM” will be available at the Eileen DeVries Concessions Building to turn cash into a card that can be used anywhere for guests who carry cash.
- Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade Garden
- Michigan’s Farm Garden
- Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater
- DeVos/Van Andel Piazza
This event will occur rain or shine.
David Smith: The Nature of Sculpture
September 23, 2024, through March 2, 2025
David Smith: The Nature of Sculpture is the first exhibition to explore the artist’s deep engagement with the natural world as source, subject and site for his art. Working in multiple media, formats, and scales, David Smith’s adventurous approach to three-dimensional form has permanently expanded the vocabulary and range of sculptural practice. Celebrated as the first American artist to make welded metal sculptures—and to incorporate industrial means in his work—Smith’s early enlistment of nature as a material and prime setting for his art was equally innovative. Spanning his full career and featuring major museum loans, the exhibition will include some 40 sculptures, along with related paintings, reliefs, and works on paper to reclaim the primacy of nature within the artist’s richly inventive oeuvre. This exploration of sculpture and nature will have particularly strong resonance at Meijer Gardens, where Smith’s work will be in direct dialogue with the natural environs, including larger pieces situated outdoors to commune with the elements as the artist intended.
Glow Garden
Tuesdays in October, Until 9 pm
Explore our popular Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade Garden, an illuminated forest of majestic trees and mystical meadow grasses and logs. Featured are incredible glowing hand-etched pumpkins by local artist Alynn Guerra, of Red Hydrant Press. Joining the pumpkin-carving fun this year are artists Rebecca Rodriguez, of Foiled Again Press, and Lisa Lin Olsen.
Michigan's Farm Garden
Tuesdays in October, Until 9 pm
Down on the farm family fun awaits, including food trucks, pumpkin carving demonstrations, music, and a vibrant harvest of heirloom vegetables, herbs, gourds, and larger-than-life pumpkins.
Farm Garden Artist Lineup (6:45-7:30 pm)
October 1 | Thom Jayne & Keala Venema
October 8 | Nicholas James Thomasma
October 15 | Josh Rose
October 22 | Eric Engblade
October 29 | Nicholas James Thomasma
NEW! Autumn Music in the Amphitheater
Amphitheater Artist Lineup (6-8 pm)
October 1 | The Jordan Hamilton & Help From Friends
October 8 | The Mark Lavengood Band
October 15 | Hatchwing Rider
October 22 | Whorled
October 29 | Full Cord
Fall Children's Activities
Lena Meijer Children’s Garden activities are included with admission. Registration not required. Please dress for the weather. All activities take place outdoors.
Fall Storytime
September 2–October 21 | Mondays, 10:30 am
Join us for fun fall-inspired interactive stories and experience how awesome
autumn is in the Children’s Garden!
Backpack Adventures
September 4-October 30 | Wednesdays, 10:30 am Join us for awesome backpack adventures with themes such as Amazing Animals, Read It, Map It, Super Seeds or Animal Tracking!
Fall Family Day
Saturday, September 28, 1-4 pm
Visit the Children’s Garden for fabulous fall family fun.
Hallowee-Ones: No Tricks. No Treats. Just Fun!
Monday, October 28, 10 am-12 pm
Dress yourself and your child as a character that highlights the Children’sGarden. Come celebrate Halloween with your wee ones, with a host of Halloween-themed activities. Parade at 10:30 am!
