In celebration of the Summer Solstice and Pride Month, Chelsea Physic Garden invites you to a joyful evening of folkloric revelry, creative expression, and seasonal celebration.

As the sun reaches its highest point, we gather to honour the light, the season of abundance, and the many ways we bloom—boldly and beautifully the Garden will come alive with nature-inspired activities, artistic happenings, and moments of reflection. Whether you’re here to get that much needed green space,  craft something beautiful, or simply soak up the atmosphere with a cocktail and good company, all are welcome.

This special late opening forms part of A Brush with Nature: A Year of Art in the Garden—our 2025 programme celebrating the many ways art, plants, and people intertwine. Tonight, we explore the intersection of creativity, queerness, and the living world through ritual, craft, folklore, and joyful gathering.

Evening Highlights

Fabulous Folkloric Solstice Festivities with Kirsty Badenoch
Join artist Kirsty Badenoch for an evening of fabulous folkloric solstice festivities! In honour of age-old traditions and contemporary perspectives on nature and identity, we are gathering for a very special celebration of the sun, earth, plants, and all their quirky queernesses.

• Altar
  Make an offering at our colourful garden altar and set an intention as we shift through the balance of light and dark.

• Mask Making
  Inspired by traditions of carnival, drag and folklore, we’ll provide ideas, inspiration, and materials for you to transform into a weird and wyld mythical being of the Garden—ready for the parade.

• Parade (8:30pm)
  At 20:30, we’ll gather for the climax of the evening. Adorned with garlands, crowns, masks and totems, we’ll tread in ancient footsteps to parade together through the Garden in celebration of the sun.

Images courtesy of Kirsty Badenoch and Wayward: Mother Earth Parade at Hatfield Forest (2024), National Trust and Essex Cultural Diversity Project supported by Arts Council England

Clay Coaster Workshop with ClayWildStudio
Join artist Megan Elliot from ClayWildStudio for a drop-in workshop where you can create your own hand-crafted clay coaster, embedded with seasonal dried flowers—a grounding and tactile memento of midsummer.

Ecology Tours
Take part in short guided walks exploring the Garden’s plants, pollinators and seasonal ecology—viewed through the lens of queerness, and the interconnectedness of all living things.

Face Painting
Get adorned with bright, botanical designs and celebratory colour—whether subtle, spectacular, or a little of both.

The Physic Garden Café
The Café will be serving a delicious food alongside specially themed cocktails.

Tickets

Your ticket includes entry to the Garden and access to all activities, workshops, and tours. Food and drink will be available to purchase separately from the Physic Garden Café.

• Adult: £15

• Admission for Two: £25 (£12.50 each)

• Concession: £10
   (Available for under 25s, students, those receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or with refugee