Waterlily Weekend

The Garden curates a growing collection of waterlilies with nearly 300 diverse specimens on display throughout our many aquatic gardens. This two-day festival on August 29 & 30 from 9am – 2pm will celebrate these water nymphs with special tours, demonstrations, and more when these blooming beauties are at their peak.

Enjoy lunch at Fogg Café and tasty frozen treats from Rita’s Italian Ice. Available for purchase, while supplies last.

*Due to the popularity of this event, we are temporarily pausing our Dogs in the Garden program on Sunday, August 30. The program will resume the following Tuesday. Visit this page for more details.

Schedule of Events

Activities, Displays & Demonstrations

Waterlily Weekend Photo Competition Display9am – 2pmKapnick Hall

Self-Guided Nature Journaling9am – 2pmKapnick Hall

Victoria Waterlily Encounter9:30 – 10am & 12:30 – 1pmThe Hoffmann Lawn

Meet the Curator: Waterlily Weigh-Off and Talk10 – 10:30am & 11:30am – 12pmThe Hoffmann Lawn

WONDER: Floating Flora10am – 1pmThe Hoffmann Lawn

Drop-In Nature Journaling Demonstration10am – 2pmKapnick Hall

Specialty Tours & Programs

Program: Walk Among the Waterlilies

8:30am

Immerse yourself—literally—in our aquatic collections during this special guided opportunity! Discover how to capture nature with your smartphone camera before wading into the Water Garden for an up-close-and-personal view of our waterlilies with our Curator of Special Collections.

$65 Member / $85 Non-Member, includes Garden admission

Learn More + Program Details

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Specialty Guided Tour: Waterlilies & Beyond

11am & 12pm

Look beyond the flowers of the waterlilies and aquatic plants in our collection to discover the hidden role they play in our everyday lives. Check in with Visitor Services at Ticketing before meeting your guide at the Smith Entry Prow. 

$10 Member / $15 Non-Member; Register at Ticketing upon arrival or add a tour to your Garden admission reservation by following the link below.

Saturday Tour Registration

Sunday Tour Registration

Purchase Garden Admission

See the World’s Newest Waterlilies!

Waterlily Weekend is included with Garden admission; free for Members.

Kids 17 & under enjoy free admission all summer long, through September 30!

Every Garden admission ticket or membership purchase helps to support Naples Botanical Garden’s conservation efforts.

Waterlily Weekend Photography Competition

Thank you to those who submitted photos for this year’s Waterlily Weekend Photo Competition! The winners have been notified and the winning photographs will be printed for display during Waterlily Weekend on August 29 & 30.

Waterlily Weekend Photography Competition Winners 2026
Serene Dream, John Bustard, First Place Winner, Black & White Category

Purple Fantasia, Kristen Kozlow, First Place Winner, Color Category

Purple Passion, Cheryl Goodman, First Place Winner, Manipulated Category