All you need is love (and 250,000 blooming bulb) to celebrate the arrival of spring at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. The beloved annual festival, ‘Cheekwood in Bloom,’ takes place from March 8 through April 13, transforming the estate into a vibrant wonderland of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and flowering dogwoods. The explosion of color warms the heart, setting the perfect scene for a season of art, nature, and community.
One of this year’s biggest highlights is Robert Indiana’s iconic ‘Love’ sculpture, a celebrated work of the pop art movement. Standing eight feet tall, the eye-catching installation will be displayed on the front lawn of historic Cheekwood Mansion as part of the Cheekwood Masterpiece Art Series. “Throughout 2025, you will find the spirit of love woven into every corner of Cheekwood as we celebrate the ways art, nature, and community intersect,” said Cheekwood President/CEO Jane MacLeod. “As we embark on this love-filled journey and extraordinary year of programming, we want to thank the community for decades of support and reinforce Cheekwood’s love and gratitude for Nashville.”
The Masterpiece Art Series continues through November 2 and is presented in partnership with Pace Gallery and ‘The Robert Indiana Legacy Initiative.’ The ‘Love’ sculpture, originally designed in 1964 as a holiday card, has since become a global icon, spreading messages of peace and unity. The sculpture at Cheekwood was fabricated in 1999 and will be on display throughout the estate’s major seasonal festivals.
Each weekend, visitors can enjoy music in the Beer Garden from 11 am-3 pm, featuring live performances from top regional bands. Guests are encouraged to grab a picnic table or blanket while indulging in local food and drinks.
Scheduled performances include:
- March 8: Chris Walters Trio
- March 9: Jeff Picker
- March 16: Parker James, Paul DeFiglia and Charles Breaux
- April 12: Denny Jiosa
- April 27: Les Sabler
For gardening enthusiasts, Cheekwood offers a series of expert-led workshops, from preparing spring beds to supporting native pollinators. Led by horticulturists and regional experts, these classes provide hands-on experience for both beginners and experienced gardeners. The Native Plant Sale on April 12 is a must-visit event for those looking to bring a touch of Cheekwood’s beauty to their own landscapes.
Signature spring events include:
- Holi Festival (March 22): Experience India’s ‘Festival of Colors’ with vibrant color-throwing sessions, music, dance, and delicious cuisine.
- Middle Tennessee Daffodil Show (March 22-23): A stunning showcase of daffodil varieties hosted by the Middle Tennessee Daffodil Society.
- Great Spring Art Hop (April 18-19): Families can enjoy 48 egg hunts featuring 36,000 hidden eggs, a scavenger hunt for giant bunny murals, and live performances.
- Dogs and Dogwoods (April 26-27): Celebrate Arbor Day by bringing your furry friends to stroll through the Carell Dogwood Garden. The first 500 visitors will receive a free dogwood sapling to plant at home.
For those looking for a more relaxed experience, Spring Afternoon Tea at Café 29 (March 11–April 10) offers a refined menu of seasonal teas and sweet and savory bites. Meanwhile, hands-on workshops provide opportunities to learn new skills, such as crafting gourd birdhouses and bee houses to support pollinators.
Advance reservations are required for many of these springtime festivities. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit <cheekwood.org>.
Cheekwood in Bloom is presented by HCA Healthcare, with additional sponsorship from The Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation, Cumberland Trust, and Tractor Supply.
