New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

Gardens have a completely different personality after hours. More Hours for Flowers keeps the New England Botanic Garden open late on Wednesday and Thursday evenings throughout the summer, inviting visitors to wander woodland trails, admire vibrant blooms in the softer evening light, and catch golden-hour views over the Wachusett Reservoir. Dinner specials and seasonal treats make it easy to turn a garden visit into a leisurely night out, whether you're strolling with friends, on a date, or simply looking for a quieter way to enjoy a summer evening. As the crowds thin and the light begins to fade, the gardens become even more peaceful, proving that some of the best moments happen just before sunset.

A garden might not be the first place you'd think to learn mixology, but that's exactly what makes this series so much fun. Botanical Mixology invites guests to the New England Botanic Garden for hands-on workshops that explore how herbs, flowers, fruits, spices, and other botanicals can transform a great cocktail into something memorable. Each session features two seasonal drinks, introduces a new mixology technique, and includes recipes to recreate at home, with nonalcoholic variations available as well. Held during the Garden's extended summer evenings, it's an easy excuse to trade the usual happy hour for something a little more creative, surrounded by blooming gardens instead of a crowded bar.

Opera and circus don't usually share the same stage, which is exactly what makes Arias Aloft: Chromatic so captivating. Set against the summer blooms of the New England Botanic Garden in Boylston, this open-air performance pairs soaring opera, musical theater, and cabaret favorites with breathtaking aerial acrobatics from Circus 617. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in as singers and aerialists transform the gardens into a living stage where music and movement unfold beneath the evening sky. It's one of those performances that feels impossible to recreate indoors, with nature playing as much of a role as the artists themselves.