Golden Gate Park’s wildly popular and beloved Flower Piano event celebrates its 10th anniversary when it returns this year to the San Francisco Botanical Garden from Sept. 12 through 21.
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It’s a festive musical extravaganza of world-class jazz, classical piano and spontaneous serenades from strangers, turning the gardens into a magical outdoor concert hall.
The idea of spontaneous al fresco piano playing in public places began in 2013 when Mauro ffortissimo decided to roll out an old grand piano onto the cliffs above Half Moon Bay just to play for himself and for anyone who happened to come by.
His inspired idea went viral, and soon he and collaborator Dean Mermell founded Sunset Piano, temporarily placing pianos in unexpected natural and urban settings around the Bay Area each year.
Their 10-year partnership with the San Francisco Botanical Garden is Sunset Piano’s most ambitious undertaking and has turned Flower Piano into one of the Bay Area’s most innovative cultural events.
At Flower Piano, 12 pianos will be scattered across 55 acres of blooming landscapes, an open invitation to everyone, from concert pianists to first-time players, to create their own music in the open air.
Twelve pianos will pop up in the San Francisco Botanical Garden in September. (Courtesy of Gardens of Golden Park)
“That whole recital vibe is kind of subverted with what we’re doing with Flower Piano,” Mermell said. “Most people who practice the piano have never played in front of other people before. Perhaps they’ve only ever played in front of their music teacher, their partner or, in my case, my cat! People finish playing and suddenly realize they are surrounded by applauding strangers. Flower Piano allows everybody to experience the piano and all kinds of music in so many new ways.”
This year’s professional lineup includes acclaimed performers like Tammy Hall, Sarah Cahill, Diana Gameros and Serene.
The Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra will present “Oleander” by Benjamin Gribble and classics by Maurice Ravel and George Gershwin.
An elevated Flower Piano experience, the Flower Piano Lounge, will feature exclusive performances by Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Dred Scott and Cali Mambo, and more. Tickets are limited, so reserve early if interested.
Lounge access includes priority entry, premium seating, local food, craft drinks, dedicated restrooms, special performances from local headliners and the best views of opening and closing night headliners, including Grammy-winning pianist Christian Tumalan and the Kev Choice Chamber Ensemble.
Fashionistas are encouraged to dress up in their best Flower Piano-themed outfit and walk the runway for the second annual Flower Piano Fashion Show, where organizers promise “you will be adored by thousands and may win a fabulous prize.” The fashion show takes place at the Great Meadow from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20.
The schedule also includes dance-alongs with the San Francisco Ballet, a San Francisco Opera Garden Party, a whimsical puppet show by Rabbit Hole Theater, a garden treasure hunt and more.
Details: Flower Piano will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 12 through 21 at the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park at 1199 Ninth Ave. in San Francisco.
The Flower Piano Lounge will be open from noon to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 and 14; 4 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19; and noon to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 and 21. The opening night event, featuring the Montuno Swing Salsa Band, will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12.
Flower Piano is free with general admission to the San Francisco Botanical Garden. General admission is $18 for adults; $7 for seniors and youth ages 12 to 17; $3 for children ages 5 to 11; and free for San Francisco residents, members of the San Francisco Botanical Garden or Museums for All, veterans, school groups and children ages 4 and younger. A family admission of two adults with all children residing in the same household costs $37.
Tickets to the opening night event cost $75 for adults, with discounts for children. Children ages 4 and younger admitted free.
An all-access weekend pass to the Flower Piano Lounge is $90, and a day pass is $50 for adults, with discounts for children. Children ages 4 and younger admitted free.
Go to gggp.org/event/flower-piano-2025.
PJ Bremier writes on home, garden, design and entertaining topics every Saturday. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914, or at [email protected].