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

Every winter the Show Dome is transformed into a miniature train show with 600 feet of train tracks looping the exhibit. New themes each year ensure every show is different, with unique props to set the scene and over 4,000 plants to create a stunning display.

Snow might still be on the ground outside, but inside, the Floral Show Dome springs to life with vibrant colors and fragrant blooms. A new theme is created each year for the spring show, but you can expect to see a variety of spring flowers including tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, pansies, and lilies.

The Domes are a must-visit attraction for visitors to Milwaukee in the summer, and the annual summer show blankets the Floral Dome with color.

Before the Domes, a Victorian conservatory was the top attraction in Mitchell Park, and a fall chrysanthemum show has been a regular event for over 120 years. Thousands of colorful mums, in dozens of varieties, are used to create the fall show display.

No matter the weather outside, the Domes are always toasty warm inside, and the annual Holiday show is one of the Milwaukee’s top winter attractions. A new theme brings a new look each year, but you can expect to find a display featuring poinsettias, chrysanthemums, amaryllis, and other plants as well as a decorated spruce.

Video courtesy of Milwaukee County Parks

Current and Upcoming Shows

Show Dome Closed for Installation

May 26 - June 5

Summer Show Dome Theme: TBA

June 6 - September 7

Show Dome Closed for Installation

September 8 @ 8:00 am - September 18 @ 5:00 pm

Fall Show Dome Theme: TBA

September 19 @ 8:00 am - November 8 @ 5:00 pm

More About the Show Dome Themes

Themes

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

Domes Reimagined Plan: The Future of the Domes
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Summer Show 2026: Theme TBA, June 6th – September 7th

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FLOWER FEST: A Family Fun Fest! June 24th, 9 AM – 12 PM

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