Bok Tower Gardens

Learn new painting techniques, strengthen drawing skills and enhance creativity with on-location and studio work, demonstrations, personalized instruction and constructive critique by Sebring artist Owen Jolly. Still life, floral, landscape and portrait subjects will be included; classes are held mostly indoors. A materials list will be provided. Intermediate/advanced: 9:00 a.m. – noon; beginner/intermediate: 1 – 4 p.m. $225 or 10 percent discount for members. Registration required.

A multi-media exhibit of photography, painting, woodcut prints and sculpture celebrates the one-of-a-kind “Ancient Islands” of the Lake Wales Ridge. Included with general admission.

Learn the art of nature photography from a pro! Allen Rokach focuses on in-depth instruction, individual consultations and hands-on training during the Gardens’ peak bloom. $350 per person. Reservations required.

Experience the best place to pop the question or say “I Do!” while bells ring in romance and love fills the air during special Singing Tower carillon concerts. Included with general admission.

Music Snapshot presents the versatility and creativity of violinist Ashley Liberty and Daniel Strange on the keyboard performing an eclectic mix from American Spirituals to Romanian Rhapsody to Orange Blossom Special. Limited seating; reservations recommended. $25 with a 10 percent discount for members.

A Juilliard and Yale University trained concert pianist, Dr. Alstadter returns to perform on the historic Steinway in the intimate setting at Pinewood Estate with a new classical program of Beethoven, Fauré, Clara Schumann and Chopin. Judith is an official Steinway Artist. Limited seating; reservations required. $25 with a 10 percent discount for members.

World-renowned carillonneurs perform daily concerts at 1 and 3 p.m. The Visitor Center features historical exhibits on the history, construction and sound of the carillon from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Included with general admission.

Bring a picnic lunch to attend guided tours of the Singing Tower exterior highlighting its history, artistry, architecture and construction followed by a half-hour carillon concert and historical artifacts display. Included with general admission. Reservations required.

Enjoy Belgian, Polish and American-inspired music selections as you explore the Gardens. Included with general admission.

Founded by Edward Bok’s wife, Mary Louise Curtis Bok, the Curtis Institute of Music’s String Quartet will return for the first time in 80 years to perform Paganini’s last guitar quartet and other selections during the International Carillon Festival. Curtis president and renowned violist, Roberto Díaz will perform with guitar faculty member Jason Vieaux and two students. The program also includes a commissioned piece for strings and guitar by Zhou Tian, Kodály Duo for Violin and Cello and an arrangement of Piazzolla’s Oblivion for guitar and strings. Reservations required. Reservations required. $25 per person with a 10 percent discount for members.

Celebrate one of the nation’s most unique musical experiences with a Moonlight Concert and reception to meet the guest carillonneurs. Reservations required. $25 per person.

View educational films about bell foundry, casting, tuning and the history of the carillon. Included with general admission.

Enjoy Belgian, Polish and American-inspired music selections as you explore the Gardens. Included with general admission.

Stroll the blooming gardens and enjoy the many shades of green as the Singing Tower carillon performs Irish favorites from the Emerald Isle at 1 and 3 p.m. Included with general admission.

Back by popular demand! Acoustic brings their original sound and distinctive style is a mix of diverse musical backgrounds and unusual instrumentation with Hannah’s cello and Joe’s double neck guitjo. Reservations recommended; limited seating. $25 per person with a 10 percent discount for members.

Performing on the historic Steinway in the intimate setting at Pinewood Estate, pianist Gary Wolf and violinist-violist Matitiahu Braun return after playing to a standing ovation at Pinewood. Both have performed throughout the U.S. and Europe. Wolf is Professor Emeritus at UCF and Artist-in-Residence at Rollins College in Winter Park while Braun teaches violin and viola at Rollins College. Reservations required; limited seating. $25 with a 10 percent discount for members.

Members of the Central Florida Watercolor Society showcase their “en plein air” paintings of scenes captured in the Gardens where they painted in the open air. Included with general admission.

Enjoy an hour-long carillon concert under the light of a full moon with the scent of citrus blossoms in the air. It’s a unique opportunity to visit the Gardens after normal operating hours for half-price admission and have a light dinner at the Blue Palmetto Café before the concert.

Easter morning worshippers will be offered free admission from 6 to 8 a.m. to experience the majesty of the sun rising over the horizon on Iron Mountain with the music of the 60-bell Singing Tower carillon, the Lake Wales Chorale and bagpipe performance. An Easter buffet will be served in the Blue Palmetto Café for an additional fee.

The beauty of the gardens during spring bloom provides a tranquil setting to enjoy the sacred day while listening to beloved music performed on the 60-bell Singing Tower carillon. Included with general admission.

Discover picturesque Holland and Belgium in the spring and visit the Floriade, International Horticulture Expo and more. Hosted by Bok Tower Gardens’ President David Price. Call 863-676-1408 for a brochure or email programs@boktower.org

Bring your family and a picnic to spend an enchanted moonlit evening on the Great Lawn with acoustic jazz performances by Solas with opening act by Frank Vignola Quintet beginning at 6 p.m. $25 per person; $10 Children ages 5-12; Children under 5 admitted free.

Present a current membership card to any public garden at the entrance gate to receive free admission to the Gardens. Sponsored by the American Public Gardens Association, National Public Gardens Day will be celebrated with a variety of special events throughout the day. The national event is designed to raise awareness about the role America’s public gardens play in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, and education in communities nationwide.

Free admission will be offered to all mothers in celebration of Mother’s Day. Families are encouraged to give the living bouquet of landscape gardens created by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. to the special mothers in their lives.

Special carillon concerts to honor the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have given their lives to preserve our freedom. Free admission will be offered to all branches of the military, active, retired and disabled veterans with valid ID. Concerts included with general admission.

A musical salute of gratitude to our nation's veterans and current members of America’s armed forces. Free admission will be offered to all branches of the military, active, retired and disabled veterans with valid ID. Concerts included with general admission.