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 Happenings 2025

Early Closure

December 24 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Last admission one hour before close.  

The Domes will be closed on Christmas Day.

Late Night at The Domes- Open until 8 PM

December 26 @ 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

The Domes will be open late on select nights this [...]

Drumming in the Domes, by Ko-Thi

December 26 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

The drummers of Ko-Thi Dance Company present performances in celebration [...]

Enjoy live music amongst the beauty of the holiday show [...]

Winter in the Tropics: A Family Fun Fest!

December 30 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Winter in the Tropics: A Family Fun Fest! Join us [...]

Early Closure

December 31 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Last admission one hour before close.  

Early Closure

January 1, 2026 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Last admission one hour before close.  

Current and Upcoming Shows

Show Dome Theme: Holiday Show

November 22, 2025 - January 4, 2026

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: Twelve Days of Christmas: A Playful Parody, Nov 22 – Jan 4
Details

Help name our Education Center dart frogs!
Details

Gala poster

Winning Design Gala: Treasures Through Time

Sat, Feb 21, 2026

Tickets Here

Domes Reimagined Plan: The Future of the Domes
Learn More