If you’ve been looking for a reason to get out into the autumn landscape before the season slips away, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston has opened Fairy Hollow, a seasonal outdoor exhibit running through October 25. More than 20 intricately crafted fairy houses — built by artists from across the region and beyond, all using nature-inspired materials — are tucked throughout the garden’s 200-acre grounds, waiting to be found. Daily admission runs 10 AM to 5 PM.
The exhibit is the anchor of a broader autumn programme at Tower Hill, and several ticketed and free add-on events are already on the calendar.
What’s happening alongside the exhibit
Fairies Aglow transforms the garden after dark on select Fridays and Saturdays from September 19 through October 23, 6–8:30 PM. The fairy houses are illuminated, light displays fill the garden spaces, and the whole thing is designed for families. Tickets are required separately from general admission.
Weekend of Wonder runs October 10–12, 10 AM–4 PM, and is included with general admission. Expect an artisan vendor market with a fairyland theme, a beer garden, hands-on craft workshops, and live entertainment across the three days.
Closing out the season on Saturday, October 24 (7–10 PM) is the Faerie Masquerade Ball, an 18+ ticketed evening event featuring live music, illuminated garden paths, and what the garden is billing as “a court of botanical wonder.” Costumes are presumably encouraged.
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill — located at 11 French Drive in Boylston — is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and was named Top Botanic Garden in the U.S. by TravelAwaits in 2023. Full event details and tickets are available on the garden’s official website.
