The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory’s Show Dome is transformed five times each year. Each Show Dome display has a specific theme, generally categorized as historical, cultural or fantasy, and is chosen at least a year in advance. Plants are selected specifically for a particular floral exhibit and grown in the greenhouses located at the Mitchell Park Domes. Continual care and maintenance assures an equally bright, vivid and spectacular array of flowers for visitors from the first to the last day of any Show Dome display. Please note that Show Dome is closed for approximately two weeks between shows to transition to the new theme.

Show Dome Displays
Please be sure to check back here for details about upcoming shows.

  • Jan-Mar: Train Show
  • April-May: Spring Show
  • June-Sept: Summer Show
  • Sept-Nov: Fall Show
  • Nov-Jan: Holiday Show

Video courtesy of Milwaukee County Parks

Holiday Season Hours 2024

Open Late: (Late Night at The Domes Hours: 9am-8pm, last admission one hour before close)

  • Friday, November 29
  • Tuesday, December 10
  • Tuesday, December 17
  • Friday, December 27

Early Closure: (Last admission one hour before close)

  • Christmas Eve: 9am-2pm
  • New Year’s Eve: 9am-3:30pm
  • New Year’s Day: 9am-4pm

Closed:

  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day

Holiday Happenings

Current and Upcoming Shows

Show Dome Theme: The Domes Holiday Parade

November 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025

Show Dome Theme: Train Show

January 18, 2025 - April 6, 2025

Show Dome Theme: Spring Show

April 19, 2025 - May 26, 2025

More About the Show Dome Themes

Theme Choices
Show Dome themes have ranged from a formal Japanese garden, to autumn in Provence, a classic monster movie spoof, a street in Dickens London, and scenes from the Nutcracker Suite.

Displays
The theme of each Show Dome display dictates the setting, landscape design and prop design. Each show requires extensive long-term planning, while the actual transformation from one theme to the next takes place in only two weeks.

Display Creation
Horticulturists, arborists, artists, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and welders work together to create each spectacular display. Show Dome props are modular and thus versatile; they can be modified and reused to fit different themes throughout the year.

Serenity
The Show Dome provides serene settings to be captured by artists and photographers, duplicated by visitors in their own gardens and used by students to learn about flowering plants.

AT THE DOMES

Holiday Show: The Domes Holiday Parade, Nov 23 – Jan 5

Details

A Night in Bloom: February 22, 2025 

Details

A small, labeled jar candle sits on a wooden surface, partially concealed by lush, colorful foliage with green, yellow, and red speckled leaves. The candle's label features a minimalist design with text and simple graphics.

Handcrafted Domes-themed goods from local artists!

Shop our online store

Our Beloved Mitchell Park Domes Video

Watch here