Lilacs at the Arnold Arboretum
Lilac Sunday
11 May 2008
View a gallery of lilac images.
Of the thousands of flowering plants in the Arboretum, only one, the lilac, is singled out each year for a daylong celebration. On Lilac Sunday, garden enthusiasts from all over New England gather at the Arboretum to picnic, watch Morris dancing, and tour the lilac collection. On the day of the event, which takes place rain or shine, the Arboretum is open as usual from dawn to dusk. Refreshments are available for purchase from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Street parking along the Arboretum perimeter is limited and visitors are advised to take public transportation. Some parking spaces outside the gates will be designated for special-needs visitors. No unauthorized vehicles will be allowed within the gates during the event. A limited number of wheelchairs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; wheelchairs may not be reserved in advance. Please inquire at the front desk of the Hunnewell Building or at the information tents inside the Forest Hills Gate and Center Street Gate if you or someone in your party requires a wheelchair.
While you are in the neighborhood, we invite you to visit local shops and restaurants in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale.
For more Lilac Sunday information, call the Arnold Arboretum at 617.384.5454.
Explore the links on the left to learn more about lilacs and our collection.
Schedule of the Day
Tours
What |
When |
The Lilac Collection – meet at the Lilac collection, tours last 45 minutes |
10:00 am,
11:00 am,
12:00 noon,
1:00 pm,
|
Hunnewell Visitor Center to the Lilacs – meet at the Hunnewell Visitor Center, tours last 30 minutes |
10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
Family Activities
What |
When |
| Fragrance Guessing Game, Coloring & Drawing | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Build a Flower Activity | 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 noon, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, & 3:00 pm |
| Storytelling with Andrea Lovett | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Storytelling with Bambi Good | 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm, & 3:00 pm |
Dancers
What |
When |
| Morris Dancers: Centre St. Gate, Bussey Hill, & Rhododendron Dell | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Tony Williams Dance Center: Hunnewell Visitor Center Lawn – Bellydancers with Susi – Tony Williams Dance Team with Erin Washington – Ballet Folklorico with Raquel Jacobson-Peregrino |
11:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Center Studio: Hunnewell Visitor Center Lawn – The Art & Technique of Isadora Duncan |
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm |
We have a winner! 
We are pleased to announce that Jon Nix of Waltham, Massachusetts is the winner of the 2008 Lilac Sunday T-Shirt Design Contest. His design celebrating the 100th anniversary of the popular annual event is shown to the right. T-shirts sporting Jon's artwork will be available for sale to the general public on Lilac Sunday 2008 (May 11).