Philadelphia’s cultural scene is about to welcome a stunning new addition. Calder Gardens, a new 18,000-square-foot art space, will officially open to the public on September 21, 2025, following a weeklong celebration of special events.
Calder Gardens, Philly’s newest art space
Located between 21st and 22nd Streets on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the museum honors the legacy of Alexander Calder- one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and a native Philadelphian.
Design by world-renowned architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and landscape visionary Piet Oudolf, Calder Gardens is more than a just a museum. It’s a destination for quiet reflection and immersive experiences.
The building’s reflective metal shell –partially nestled below ground– blends into a flowing, four-season garden filled with native and flowering species.
The space is meant to crate a seamless connection between art, architecture, and nature. Moreover, it offers a setting that encourages discovery and contemplation.
Inside, visitors will find a rotating selection of Calder’s signature works, including mobiles, stabiles, monumental sculptures, and paintings -all bathed in natural light through expansive windows. These carefully curated interior galleries open up to outdoor viewing areas like the Sunken Garden and Vestige designed to stir emotion, spark curiosity, and invite connection.
Opening Fall 2025
Calder Gardens is now accepting membership sign-ups on their website, starting at $98 per year.
Memberships include:
- early ticket access
- unlimited free admission to Calder Gardens and the Barnes Foundation
- morning access
- guest passes
- & shop discounts
Additionally, general admission tickets are on sale now for the public.
Prices are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $5 for youth (ages 13-18), and free for children 12 and under.
Former Mayor Jim Kenney praised the project when it was first announced almost two years ago, calling it “a major milestone in Philadelphia’s cultural evolution.”
Indeed, the Calder family’s generational contribution to Philadelphia’s art legacy is one worth noting.
From the William Penn statue atop City Hall to The Ghost mobile in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, it’s not only preserving legacy – it’s giving it a vibrant new future.
For ticket info and exclusive updates, visit their new website here.
Calder Gardens will officially open to the public September 21, 2025.