NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Enjoy an entire weekend at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens filled with two of the best things in life: dogs and trees. This year, Cheekwood’s Dogs & Dogwoods is happening in tandem with Arbor Day.
Arbor Day festivities will be April 26, while Dogs & Dogwoods will be held April 26 and April 27. Both events will occur from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Guests can bring their canine companions to Cheekwood throughout the weekend for a stroll through the scenic gardens. Festivities include dog-themed vendors, food trucks, musical performances in the Beer Garden and hands-on activities for kids. The Cheekwood Gardening School classes and Adult Workshops offered on Saturday also provide the opportunity to learn about dogwoods and other trees.
Arbor Day
Cheekwood’s nationally accredited Arboretum is the perfect setting to immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of trees. In honor of Tennessee’s beloved native tree species, Cornus or dogwood, the first 500 visitors on Saturday will receive a dogwood sapling to plant at home. Special programming throughout the day will also educate and entertain. Guests can peruse books about trees, try their luck at tree trivia and view closeup images of a dogwood flower via a microscope.
Dogs & Dogwoods
The dog-friendly event gives four-legged friends and their families the chance to enjoy Cheekwood’s Nationally Accredited Cornus Collection™. After a walk through the Carell Dogwood Garden, pick up a treat for your pup at dog-focused vendors and participate in plenty of tail-wagging fun. Water refill and doggie bag stations will be provided. Visitors are asked to BYOB - bring your own bowl - to ensure their dogs stay hydrated. All canine companions must be on a leash and are not allowed inside any buildings including the Historic Mansion and Museum.
Dogs and Dogwoods is sponsored by MARS Petcare.
Musical Performances in the Beer Garden
Gather your friends in the Cheekwood Beer Garden for a relaxing outing with the best of Nashville’s food, music, and drinks. Indulge in delicious bites from the city's favorite foodtrucks, and sip on refreshing beverages in a relaxed, outdoor setting. Grab a picnic table or bring a blanket for a gorgeous day amidst the sights and sounds of spring.
Volcano Brothers | April 26 | 12 p.m.
A high-energy band blending rock, reggae, and island vibes. Known for their dynamic performances and infectious rhythms, they bring the spirit of Aloha to every stage they play.
Les Sabler | April 27 | 12 p.m.
An acclaimed jazz guitarist known for his smooth fusion of jazz, blues, and Latin influences. With a career spanning multiple decades, he has performed internationally and released several celebrated albums.
The Cheekwood Gardening School Classes
Develop a new skill, meet like-minded horticulturists, and expand your gardening abilities with help from The Cheekwood Gardening School. Whether you are just beginning as a home gardener or looking to expand your planting repertoire, learn from experienced instructors from regional plant societies, local Master Gardeners, and Cheekwood’s own staff. See the full list of classes and register at cheekwood.org.
Designing with Trees: The Carell Dogwood Garden
April 26 | 9:30 a.m. | Instructor: Peter Grimaldi, Cheekwood Senior Vice President of Gardens
Get some Arbor Day inspiration for your garden landscape with a guided tour through Cheekwood’s Carell Dogwood Garden. Learn about the incredible diversity of the dogwood family and gain insight into how to protect, design with, and care for these incredible plants.
The Nashville Tree Canopy
April 26 | 12 p.m. | Instructor: Sage McClain, Cheekwood Plant Collection Manager
Explore the importance of urban forestry in Nashville by discovering the benefits trees provide to Nashville’s environment, the challenges facing the city’s canopy, and how you can contribute to its growth and preservation. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and community advocates alike.
Adult Workshops
Adult Hands-On Workshops at Cheekwood are inspired by Cheekwood’s gardens and seasonal exhibitions. From traditional crafts to contemporary techniques, each workshop offers the chance to make something new under the guidance of an expert instructor. See the full list of classes and register at cheekwood.org
Embroidery Hoops: Trees
April 26 | 10 a.m. | Instructor: Sarah Augustyn, Embroidery Artist
Create stunning, Arbor Day themed artwork using embroidery techniques to stitch intricate designs on fabric. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced embroiderer, this class offers a fun and relaxing way to
explore the beauty of trees through needle and thread.
Cyanotype Printing: Dogwoods
April 26 | 1 p.m. | Instructor: J.R. Ramsey, Cheekwood Public Programs Coordinator
Explore the unique process of cyanotype printing, using sunlight to create beautiful, blue-toned images of dogwood flowers and leaves. You will leave with an enhanced ability to leverage nature and the world around you to create artworks that mimic the beauty of changes in seasonal foliage.
Activities for Kids
TOTS! offers fun for the little ones in the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, kids can enjoy hands-on activities with a dog theme, Storytime, and Turtle Talks.
Ticket Information
All Dogs & Dogwoods and Arbor Day activities are included with membership or general admission. Tickets can be reserved at cheekwood.org.
About Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
With its intact and picturesque vistas, Cheekwood is distinguished as one of the leading Country Place Era estates in the nation. Formerly the family home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, the 1930s estate, with its 30,000-square-foot Mansion and 55 acres of gardens, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum with furnished period rooms and galleries devoted to American art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. The property includes 13 distinct gardens including the Blevins Japanese Garden and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, as well as a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring outdoor monumental sculpture. Each year, Cheekwood hosts seasonal festivals, including Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest and Holiday LIGHTS. Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and nationally as a Level II Arboretum. It is a three-time voted USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden in 2024 received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, and in 2021 was named by Fodors as one of the 12 Most Beautiful Gardens in the American South. Cheekwood is located eight miles southwest of downtown Nashville at 1200 Forrest Park Drive. It is open Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended days and hours of operation depending on the season. Visit cheekwood.org for current hours and to purchase advance tickets required for admission.
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