Floral Dome
Annual Shows
Winter Train Show
Next Show: Jan. - Mar.
Every winter the Show Dome is transformed into a miniature train show with 600 feet of train tracks looping the exhibit. New themes each year ensure every show is different, with unique props to set the scene and over 4,000 plants to create a stunning display.
Spring Floral Show
Next Show: Apr. - May
Snow might still be on the ground outside, but inside, the Floral Show Dome springs to life with vibrant colors and fragrant blooms. A new theme is created each year for the spring show, but you can expect to see a variety of spring flowers including tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, pansies, and lilies.
Summer Floral Show
Next Show: Jun. - Sept.
The Domes are a must-visit attraction for visitors to Milwaukee in the summer, and the annual summer show blankets the Floral Dome with color.
Fall Mums Show
Next Show: Sept. - Nov.
Before the Domes, a Victorian conservatory was the top attraction in Mitchell Park, and a fall chrysanthemum show has been a regular event for over 120 years. Thousands of colorful mums, in dozens of varieties, are used to create the fall show display.
Holiday Show
Next Shows: Nov. - Jan.
No matter the weather outside, the Domes are always toasty warm inside, and the annual Holiday show is one of the Milwaukee's top winter attractions. A new theme brings a new look each year, but you can expect to find a display featuring poinsettias, chrysanthemums, amaryllis, and other plants as well as a decorated spruce.
Floral Dome Highlights
As well as the ever changing displays at the center of the Floral Dome, you'll also find a permanent collection of plants and displays around the edge of the Dome. Here's what you can expect to see inside the Show Dome.
Permanent Collection
Around the outer edge of the Floral Show Dome you'll find a collection of colorful and fragrant plants, including a Jaboticaba tree, geraniums, grape vines, fig trees, olive trees and a pomegranate tree.
The Original Gates
The first Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, inspired by Crystal Palace in London, England, was constructed in 1898 by Milwaukee architect Henry C. Koch. Koch also designed other Milwaukee landmarks including Milwaukee City Hall, Turner Hall, Pfister and 700 other buildings during his career.
Cyril Colnik, a blacksmith and ironworker, created elegant gates for the conservatory entryway, and when the building was razed in 1955 the original gates were saved for display in the Floral Show Dome.
LED Light Shows
The interior of the Show Dome is covered with hundreds of LED lights, which can be programed to create spectacular light shows, set to music including The Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite.
