Ju (菊): Chrysanthemum Festival
November 5-22, 2026
Step into autumn’s splendor as the garden transforms with the colors and textures of chrysanthemums, a flower of nobility and longevity in Chinese culture. Stroll among 81 mum varieties, cascading displays along the waterfall, and sweeping floral sculptures that transform the garden into a living gallery.
Background photo: Aroa Calvo, 2025
Featured Experiences
From dazzling floral artistry to hands-on learning opportunities, Chrysanthemum Festival is one of our most anticipated annual celebrations—and an unforgettable way to experience Lan Su in fall. Come explore this beautiful flower and time of year!
Nights of the Golden Flower
In partnership with PNW Florist Association
November 5-8 | Sensory Night: Nov. 14 | 5:00-7:00 PM | Special tickets required
Our premier evening experience of Chrysanthemum Festival returns with five glowing evenings of the Floral Design Showcase. Immerse yourself in the illuminated works of 18 talented local floral artists and featured designer Toni Tibbits, alongside dance performances and floral jewelry-making.
Chrysanthemum Floral Design Showcase
In partnership with PNW Florist Association
November 5-15 | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Free with admission or membership
Experience floral bliss from every corner of the garden as you explore installations by 18 talented local floral artists and featured designer Toni Tibbits. See how each interprets this year’s theme, Golden Blooms Upon Autumn Waters, and then vote for your favorite design of the showcase.
More Highlights of Chrysanthemum Festival
Celebrate the beauty, cultural significance, horticulture, and artistic traditions surrounding the chrysanthemum through floral installations, educational programming, workshops, cultural experiences, and nighttime events.
Free with Admission or Membership
- Chrysanthemum Floral Design Showcase with PNW Florist Association
November 5-22 | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (last entry 4:00 PM)
- Growing Mums & Lan Su Collection Tour
November 12 & 19 | 11:00 AM
- Write Like a Scholar: The Character for “Autumn” 秋
Saturdays, November 7–21 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Make Your Own Chrysanthemum Wind Chime
Sundays, November 8–22 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Special Tickets Required
- Nights of the Golden Flower
November 5-8 | Sensory Night: Nov. 14 | 5:00–7:00 PM
- Steep & Paint: Chrysanthemum
Fridays, November 13 & 20 | 1:00-4:00 PM
- Chrysanthemum Huayi Workshop
November 14 & 21 | 1:00–3:00 PM
- Holiday Dried Flower Wreath Workshop with Walking Whale Flower Farm
November 15 | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM or 1:30–3:30 PM
More details coming soon!
Chinese Symbol of Autumn: The Chrysanthemum
The Chrysanthemum has been cultivated in China as early as 700 BC and soon gained favor as the symbol of Autumn. Longevity and immortality are only a couple of its themes in part due to its use in medicine and earning its fame in poetry. The famous Chinese scholar poet Tao Yuanming 陶淵明 (365-427 CE) made the proverbial connection with the lifestyle of a hermit as the autumn chrysanthemum avoids the crowded floral market in the spring.
This year’s theme: Golden Blooms Upon Autumn Waters
The phrase “golden blooms” is inspired by jinying (金英), a classical Chinese literary term often used to describe golden chrysanthemums. This theme brings together the beauty of chrysanthemums with Lan Su’s water features, reflections, and soft autumn light.
The overall concept is intended to evoke the poetic atmosphere of a Chinese garden in fall, where flowers, water, architecture, and seasonal light come together as one landscape. It reflects ideas of elegance, tranquility, reflection, and the changing beauty of the season.
As artists develop their work for the Floral Design Showcase, this theme serves as a source of inspiration. Interpretations may include water, reflections, autumn colors, garden scenery, poetry, light, movement, or the relationship between nature and traditional Chinese aesthetics.
Thank You to Our Showcase Sponsors!
In Partnership With:
Sponsored by:
Getting Here
Directions
Lan Su Chinese Garden is located at 239 NW Everett Street, at the corner of Northwest 3rd & Everett in Portland’s historic Old Town Chinatown neighborhood. Lan Su is centrally located and readily accessible from all parts of the city by car, public transit, and by foot.
Public Transit
Lan Su is easily accessible by bus and by MAX, with only a 1-2 block walk. We are located at the Old Town Chinatown stop on the Blue and Red MAX lines, or there are several bus lines that drop off right outside.
Parking
Lan Su offers free first-come, first-served parking in our sister lot next to the garden at 424 NW Third Avenue. You can also lock your bicycle up here!
Metered street parking and paid garages are also available on surrounding streets.
Get the App: Discover Lan Su
A leisurely stroll through Lan Su is always nice, but there’s so much to discover beyond the surface beauty. Get translations to couplets, explore with scavenger hunts, download bloom guides, and more.
Discover Lan Su is available in-browser or as an app.