KAWS Takes Over the New York Botanical Garden in 2027: What to Expect

Key Takeaways

• Internationally acclaimed artist KAWS will host a major, garden-wide exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in the Bronx.
• The show runs from May 22 to October 24, 2027, spanning the Garden’s 250-acre landscape with large sculptures and site-specific installations 
• This exhibition follows NYBG’s tradition of immersive outdoor art, alongside past events like Yayoi Kusama’s Cosmic Nature (2021) and Ebony G. Patterson’s “...things come to thrive…” (2023)
• A new Two-Year Membership is available, offering unlimited access to this and upcoming shows, including those in 2026 and beyond nybg.org.

🌿 What to Expect at NYBG in 2027

NYBG is transforming its verdant grounds into a living canvas for KAWS’ iconic characters—think bold, playful sculptures like Companion, interspersed among natural features. Expect eye-catching installations, both indoor and outdoor, designed to engage visitors in new and unexpected ways.

This follows in the footsteps of earlier garden-focused art events such as Flower Power (2026) and Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Orchid Show (2026), reinforcing NYBG’s commitment to blending art and ecology.

Both iconic and iconoclastic, KAWS takes over NYBG with bold interventions of nature that put monumental sculptures front and center against the living canvas of the Garden, creating unexpected moments for long-time fans and those new to the artist’s work. Set out to find awe-inspiring scenes both inside our galleries and across our 250 acres, and see KAWS’ boundary-defying work within the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

• KAWS at NYBG
  • Dates: May 22 – October 24, 2027
  • Location: The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
• Future NYBG Exhibitions:
  • The Orchid Show: Mr. Flower Fantastic – February to April 2026
  • Flower Power – May to October 2026
  • KAWS – May to October 2027