EVENTS
Botanical gardens are evolving into vibrant cultural destinations—places where lush landscapes, creativity, and connection come together. At McKee Botanical Garden, this transformation is in full bloom. Through innovative exhibitions, engaging programs, and immersive experiences, we invite you to see nature and the arts in a new light—and to discover the joy they bring when they flourish side by side.
- Through Sunday, May 24, 2026
Details
FLORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN – McKee’s Centennial Exhibition
Through Sunday, May 24, 2026
FLORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN is a monumental outdoor sculpture exhibition by Santa Fe artists Jennifer and Kevin Box. The show presents a fresh look at paper folding in the 21st century with large-scale, origami-inspired metal sculptures. Emerging butterflies, big birds, grazing deer, and blooming flowers all celebrate the process of plant pollination. The colorful, whimsical and kinetic sculptures were created in collaboration with modern masters of paper folding: Te Jui Fu, Robert J. Lang, Michael G. LaFosse and Beth Johnson.
- Tuesdays Through April 28th
- 10:30AM
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Join a guided stroll through McKee’s historic garden every Tuesday and discover the remarkable story behind this tropical oasis. Learn how plant explorers brought back exotic specimens in 1926, which landscape architect William Lyman Phillips wove into his visionary design, and how the garden’s architectural icons came to be. Hear how Vero’s first visitor attraction was saved from development, meticulously restored and reopened as the beloved community treasure it is today. Not intended for groups or school tours.
Preschoolers (up to age 4)
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February 19 – May 30
Every Thursday and Saturday
- 10:30 – 11:00 am
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Our beloved early childhood garden programs are sprouting back up. Designed especially for our youngest nature lovers, these hands-on sessions invite children to explore the wonders of science, nature, and the Garden through play, discovery, and creativity. Each week, little explorers will dig into activities that spark curiosity and creativity. Join us as we grow, learn, and play together in the Garden!
Free with Membership or paid Garden Admission
Registration not required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Details
The Jungle Experience: A Path to Stillness
Step beneath the canopy of McKee’s historic jungle garden, where filtered light, quiet water, and lush tropical plantings create a serene and restorative jungle sanctuary.
This guided sensory walk invites you to slow down, move quietly and restore mental clarity by engaging with the sights, sounds, and scents that define this unique landscape.
Rooted in the principles of forest bathing, the experience is designed to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, boost the immune system and restore a sense of balance, offering a rare moment of stillness within the Garden’s timeless setting.
What to Expect
A gentle, guided stroll focused on mindfulness and sensory awareness.
Preparation
Wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes. You may wish to bring a small towel or mat. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early.
Your journey along The Jungle Experience: A Path to Stillness is guided by Kate Pisacreta, one of McKee’s most knowledgeable and intuitive Garden guides. Kate’s connection to plants is lifelong, rooted in childhood, shaped through hands-on work in residential landscape installations, and deepened during a decade in the Caribbean working with tropical plants and trees. She later cultivated an eight-acre garden in Southern California before making her home in Vero Beach. It was here that McKee Botanical Garden spoke to her enduring belief in the healing power of nature. Through The Jungle Experience: A Path to Stillness, Kate shares that sensibility, inviting visitors to experience the quiet, restorative beauty of McKee’s historic jungle garden in a deeply personal way.
McKee’s Signature Series
SOLD OUT
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Thursday, April 16th at 3:00 PM
Friday, April 17th at 3:00 PM
Saturday, April 18th at 11:00 AM
Three Master Classes in the History and Care of Orchids
Details
Join Luis Ortiz, McKee’s Orchid Curator for Orchidelirium: From Madness to Mastery
Presentation#1: Thursday, April 16th at 3:00PM
Part I: The Fever: Petals of Power: A Cultural and Horticultural History of the Orchid
Why has a single family of plants driven humanity to madness, theft, and some of our greatest scientific breakthroughs? Join us for a chronological exploration of the orchid’s enduring grip on human culture and science. We will travel from the ink paintings of the Chinese literati and the medicinal gardens of Ancient Greece into the frantic, high-stakes era of Victorian “Orchidelirium,” where orchid hunters risked life and limb to satisfy a global fever.
This session uncovers the stories of the people, the politics, and the passions that transformed these exotic blooms from rare botanical treasures into modern icons of mass-market cultivation. We will conclude by looking at how modern technology and conservation efforts are working to protect these diverse species for the future. Discover the legacy of the plant that remains our most timeless symbol of beauty, luxury, and botanical wonder.
Presentation#2: Friday, April 17th at 3:00PM
Part II: The Method: Beyond the Ice Cube: Mastering the Art and Science of Orchid Care
Forget the myths and the “lucky” thumbs; successful orchid growing is all about understanding the biology of the plant. In this session, we break down the four pillars of orchid culture: Media, Hydration, Nutrition, and Climate. We will explore why “soil” is a dirty word in orchid circles, how to read your plant’s leaves to know when to water, and how to balance temperature and fertilizer to trigger those spectacular blooms year after year.
Workshop (Presentation#3): Saturday , April18th at 11:00AM
Part III: The Hands-On: The Great Escape: A Step-by-Step Orchid Repotting Workshop
Is your orchid outgrowing its home, or is the media looking a little “tired”? Repotting is the single most important skill for long-term orchid success. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll move beyond the fear of “breaking the plant” and learn the tactile art of rejuvenation. We will cover how to safely remove an orchid from its pot, how to perform “root surgery” to remove dead tissue, and the proper techniques for settling a plant into its new environment without transplant shock.
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April 18 & 19
July 18 & 19
October 17 & 18
Details
As McKee celebrates its Centennial, we’re opening our gates wider than ever. On four special Community Days weekends, Indian River County residents are invited to enjoy McKee Botanical Garden for just $5 admission. (ID Required)
From peaceful jungle trails to inspiring exhibitions, these weekends are our way of saying thank you, to the community that saved, supported, and continues to sustain the first, the oldest and the only award-winning cultural landscape in Vero Beach.
2026 Community Days
- April 18 & 19
- July 18 & 19
- October 17 & 18
During Community Day
- Sunday, April 19 (Community Day)
Details
Join us in the Education Building for a fun, family-friendly activity! Paper sculpting, often considered the younger cousin of origami, combines simple folding techniques with creative decoration to bring your designs to life. Perfect for all ages, this hands-on experience is open from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
- Saturday, May 9th
- 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
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Few days are as joyful and fun at McKee as the annual Pirate & Fairy Festival. Children of all ages are welcome to dress in their fairy finest or swashbuckling best for a day full of games, make and take crafts, entertainment and fairy hair applications.
- May 16 – September 7
Free Admission to active-duty military personnel and their families
Details
McKee Botanical Garden is a proud participant in the Blue Star Museums partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of War and museums across America, offering FREE ADMISSION to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including Nation Guard and Reserve.
This year’s program will begin on Saturday, May 16 and run through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.
- Saturday, June 13th
- 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM
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Waterlilies have enchanted visitors at McKee since 1932. Admire over 100 varieties—51 of which are part of the prestigious “Certified Collection of Excellence”, a distinction held by only eight gardens worldwide. Enjoy photo contests, plein-air artists, re-potting demos, and specialty vendors during this colorful celebration.
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Saturday, September 5th 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, September 6th 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
McKee and Vero Beach Orchid Society Members are invited to preview the exhibition and sale on Saturday at 8:00 am
Details
McKee Botanical Garden, in partnership with the Vero Beach Orchid Society, is pleased to present an exhibition of exotic, historic and rare orchids as well as special presentations for the collector or enthusiast.
Experience the beauty of orchids at McKee Botanical Garden through a vibrant display show judged by the American Orchid Society, showcasing exceptional orchid displays that celebrate artistry and cultivation. The event brings together Florida craft artisans and acclaimed orchid growers including Krull-Smith, Odom’s Orchids, Francisco Miranda Orchids, Quest Orchids, and Mac Orchids. Visitors can explore a lively marketplace of rare and exotic plants set within McKee’s award-winning jungle landscape, along with engaging speakers, educational lectures, and a hands-on workshop throughout the weekend.