Enjoy a summer-long programme of events in beautiful surroundings at Cambridge University Botanic Garden

For more information about the events below, and to book online, visit the Cambridge University Botanic Garden website.

Sounds Green

Every Wednesday evening in July, 6.15– 8.30pm

Bring a rug or picnic chair and relax in beautiful surroundings with live, open-air music from Cambridge Summer Music. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the Botanic Garden until 8.30pm when the gates will close. Food and drink is available from The Garden Café, as well as a different food truck each week, with ice cream from Jack's Gelato. Picnics are also welcome.

3 July – Prime Brass

Big band sounds, both classical and contemporary, from this popular Cambridge-based twelve-piece brass ensemble.

10 July – Arun Ghosh Quintet

Clarinettist Arun Ghosh brings his trademark Indo-jazz to Sounds Green, captivating audiences with his passionate and dynamic performance style, eloquent musical expression, and a healthy dose of rock 'n' roll spirit.

17 July – Hannah Horton

Award-winning saxophonist and composer, bandleader and successful recording artist, Hannah Horton has an engaging and uninhibitedly personal take on jazz.

24 July – Mighty Like The Blues

An intergenerational collaboration between five of the UK's leading jazz soloists, Mighty Like The Blues explore the deep legacy of the blues with passion and intensity.

31 July – Cores Do Samba

Led by Brazilian singer Caru Lins, the group explores the infectious, rhythmic and uplifting music of Brazil, especially the Música Popular Brasileira style, plus samba, bossa nova and funk.

Sounds Green is kindly supported by Birketts LLP. Book tickets here.

Order of the Golden Lily Family Trail

Thursday 18 July – Monday 2 September

Rumours are that a secret society of botanists has been operating in Cambridge for 300 years. Believed to be called the Order of the Golden Lily, membership is reserved for plant lovers only. Pick up a trail booklet on your way into the Botanic Garden to find out more and to begin your adventure into the wonderful world of plants.

Family Saturdays Programme

Enjoy free plant and wildlife themed crafts on the first Saturday of every month, 10am – 1pm.

Moth Mobiles: Saturday 6 July. Find out all about these mysterious creatures and make a moth mobile. Speak to the Botanic Garden moth trapping team and find out if they have caught any moths in their trap.

Lavender Love: Saturday 3 August. Make a scented lavender bag and other lavender crafts to make your home smell wonderful all summer long. Free child tickets for this event must be booked online. Ticket sales open one week before each event. Adults do not need to book to accompany but will need to pay for garden entry on arrival. The events take place in the Schools Garden. Ages 3+, children must be accompanied at all times.  

International Garden Photographer of the Year special competition

This free-to-enter competition themed 'Weird and Wonderful in CUBG' is open to all adult visitors to the garden and will run across the summer. The winners will receive a prize and have their work on display in the garden in 2025. The competition is open to adults over 18 and will run until 2 September 2024, providing visitors the opportunity to capture the Botanic Garden in all its summertime glory. For all entry details and more information, visit the IGPOTY website at www.igpoty.com

Free Drop-in Weekend Tours

Sundays, 11.30am and 2pm.

Enjoy a free-of-charge Botanic Garden tour with one of our expert guides, taking in the seasonal highlights of the garden.

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