Art in Bloom is the North Carolina Museum of Art’s largest annual fundraiser, taking place each March. Our guide explains everything you need to know about this special collection of events in Raleigh.
Held every March, Art in Bloom supports the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh and keeps it free to the public throughout the rest of the year. There are other ways the event benefits this museum and its patrons, and we’ll touch on them shortly.
We’ll also share details on specific events happening during Art in Bloom, other ways you can support this important museum, and more things to do in Raleigh beyond the event.
- What is Art in Bloom? (2026 Theme and Dates)
- Ticket Information
- Where is Art in Bloom Held?
- When is the Museum Open for Art in Bloom?
- Food and Drink Events
- Additional Special Events and Programs
- Tips Before Visiting
- Is Art in Bloom Worth the Admission?
- More Things to Do at the NC Museum of Art
- More Things to Do in Raleigh
Read More: Spring in North Carolina (Great Events and Things to Do!)
What is Art in Bloom? (2026 Theme and Dates)
2026 Event Dates: March 18-22, 2026
Official Event Website
As we mentioned, Art in Bloom is the North Carolina Museum of Art’s (NCMA) biggest fundraiser, and the only time visitors pay admission to enter the permanent collections.
Revenue from Art in Bloom also supports the NCMA’s public programming and annual exhibitions.
It’s also an informal spring kickoff, with the season’s first floral blooms already underway (and more coming).
For Art in Bloom, 50 floral designers travel to the museum each year from across North Carolina. They will create floral interpretations of artwork and objects in the NC Museum of Art’s People’s Collection.
2026’s Art in Bloom theme is “Written in the Stars,” which is reflected in 14 installations in the gallery inspired by astrological signs.
Art in Bloom Ticket Information
- $50 for Non-Members
- $45 for Museum Members
- Free for Children 6 and Under
Ticket prices include admission to Art in Bloom.
Food and Drink Events and additional programs require separate tickets.
Ticket sales from the event keep the NCMA free throughout the rest of the year.
Due to high demand, we recommend you buy tickets as soon as they are released, typically in late January for members and early February for non-members.
Note: Please do not purchase from third-party sellers or resellers. Purchase your tickets from the official event website here.
Where is Art in Bloom Held?
NC Museum of Art Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Official Website
Art in Bloom is held at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh, a division of North Carolina’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
If you’re unfamiliar with the museum’s location, it’s on Blue Ridge Road between Wade Avenue and US-70 (Duraleigh Rd), about 15 minutes from downtown Raleigh.
You can visually plan your trip to Art in Bloom and the NCMA with the following maps:
Art in Bloom Hours and Museum Schedule
NCMA open hours vary during Art in Bloom, and here’s a quick breakdown:
- Wednesday, March 18: 10:00 am-3:00 pm (Last entry at 3:00 pm; doors close at 4:30 pm)
- Thursday, March 19: 10:00-5:00 pm (Last entry at 5:00 pm; doors close at 6:30 pm)
- Friday, March 20: 11:00 am-7:00 pm (Last entry at 7:00 pm: doors close at 8:30 pm)
- Saturday, March 21: 10:00 am-7:00 pm (Last entry at 7:00 pm; doors close at 8:30 pm)
- Sunday, March 22: 10:00 am-5:00 pm (Last entry at 5:00 pm; doors close at 6:30 pm)
Art in Bloom Food and Drink Events
Culinary artists are also part of the Art in Bloom lineup. The first event takes place on March 13, and all others will happen between March 18-22.
- Chef’s Table: Zodiac Dinner (March 13, 6:00-9:00 pm)
- This is a 12-course zodiac-inspired culinary adventure.
- Tickets are $175 per person and prepaid reservations are required.
- Bloom and Bite at the NCMA Cafe in the West Building (March 18-20 from 10:30 am-3:00 pm)
- The NCMA Cafe will offer a themed lunch menu from Wednesday to Friday.
- Reservations are required
- Art of Tea in Bloom (March 21-22 from 10:30 am-3:00 pm)
- Sip hot tea or coffee and pair with small bites in the NCMA Cafe on Saturday and Sunday.
- Tickets are $75 per person, and prepaid reservations are required
- Art in Bloom: Celestial Garden Dinner (March 20-21 from 5:00 pm-7:30 pm)
- This special fixed-price dinner is new for 2026, the perfect way to spend a Friday or Saturday night in Raleigh.
- Tickets are $99 per person and prepaid reservations are required.
Read More: Restaurants in Raleigh (Date Night & Casual Bites)
Additional Art in Bloom Events and Programs
Did we already say that Art in Bloom was a collection of events? Because it surely is, and here are some more special offerings from the NCMA.
- Sensory-Friendly Hour (Saturday, March 21 from 9:00 am-10:00 am): Limited tickets are available for Sensory-Friendly Hour, which offers visitors with Autism Spectrum Disorder the opportunity to attend a less crowded, quieter Art in Bloom.
- Zoe Webster Art in Bloom Floral Demonstration (March 18 from 12:00 pm-1:30 pm)
- Held in the SECU Auditorium, Jennifer Wood and Francisco Garcia (owners of Once Gathered in Morrisville, NC) will demonstrate making an arrangement, using the same materials, and arriving at differing results.
- Tickets are $44 for non-members and $40 for members
- Art in Bloom Starry Night Designer Reception (March 18 from 6:30 pm-9:00 pm)
- Held in the West Building, toast your star sign, enjoy premium floral-designed refreshments, and meet 2026’s Art in Bloom designers.
- Tickets are $150 for non-members and $135 for members.
- Attire is cocktail or themed.
- Containers That WOW All Year Long: Gardening Demonstration with Brie Arthur (March 19 from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm)
- Local bestselling author and horticulturalist Brie Arthur will show you the art of container garden design, plan, and care.
- Tickets are $44 for non-members and $40 for members.
- Art in Bloom Sensory Journey through Flowers (March 19 from 10:00 am-12:30 pm)
- Designed for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, this event will explore a floral arrangement while engaging the senses.
- This event is FREE with registration.
- Art in Bloom Studio Workshop: Flower Vase Painting (March 21 from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm)
- You’ll be guided through underglaze painting on a vase chosen from unique pieces made by North Carolina State University Crafts Center students.
- Tickets are $75 for non-members and $68 for members.
- Art in Bloom Raffle: You’re a Star! (January 22 at 10:00 am-March 15 at 5:00 pm)
- The winner of the Art in Bloom Raffle will receive a behind-the-scenes experience that includes a private tarot reading and a “constellation of floral festivities” from March 17-22. Winners can bring 3 of their closest friends.
- $50 per ticket.
- Enter Here
Tips Before Visiting Art in Bloom
We’ve tried to prepare you as much as possible, but these tips will help enhance your Art in Bloom experience even more:
- Attend Every Year: Every year is different and will leave you with unique memories. You can also say you’ve attended the true kickoff to Spring in the Triangle!
- Become a Museum Member and Save $$$: You may have noticed lower prices throughout this article for members, and those savings go beyond Art in Bloom. I’m not being paid to write this, but there are quite a few perks to becoming an NCMA member. Learn More
- Arrive Early: Every year, Art in Bloom gains in popularity and that means you need to arrive early to beat the growing crowds. That means less searching for a parking spot and a shorter walk from your amazing spot, too!
- Book in Advance: If you want to attend any of the special events we mentioned, you need to book your spot in advance.
- Attend the Food Events and Special Events: Regular Art in Bloom days are a special experience, but we think there’s something extra about the food and special events. There are always new themes, dishes, and artists and you may discover something that you’ll never forget during these events.
Is Art in Bloom Worth the Admission?
TL;DR: We think Art in Bloom is worth the cost of admission.
If you believe in the mission of free museums like the NCMA, you’ll most definitely agree. As we mentioned earlier, ticket proceeds support annual exhibitions and public programming.
This is also a special opportunity to watch artists interpret designs within the museum.
Of course, we’re not alone in our support of this museum and others throughout North Carolina. If you’ve attended Art in Bloom or visited the NCMA, we’d love to hear about your experiences.
Let us know in the comments or tell us about them in our Community!
More Things to Do at the NC Museum of Art
The NC Museum of Art is a vast complex of buildings and a park, all of which operate at different times. Our guide to the NCMA features it all, including our favorite things to do there!
More Things to Do in Raleigh
We’ve featured the NCMA in many of our travel guides, especially those focused on Raleigh. Here are a few places to keep exploring our capital city and museums like the NCMA:
