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 Evening Experience
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.
Explore More of Chrysanthemum Festival
Events
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Chrysanthemum Floral Design Showcase
Featured Chrysanthemum FestivalLan Su Chinese Garden 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR, United StatesIn partnership with the PNW Florist Association, Lan Su Chinese Garden presents the annual Chrysanthemum Floral Design Showcase from November 5-15. Immerse yourself in the beautiful work of 18 local artists and featured designer, Toni Tibbits.
Free -
Nights of the Golden Flower
Featured Chrysanthemum FestivalLan Su Chinese Garden 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR, United StatesIn partnership with the PNW Florist Association, our premier evening experience of Chrysanthemum Festival returns. Immerse yourself in the illuminated works of 18 talented local floral artists and featured designer Toni Tibbits as they interpret this year’s theme, Golden Blooms Upon Autumn Waters.
$32 -
Nights of the Golden Flower
Featured Chrysanthemum FestivalLan Su Chinese Garden 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR, United StatesIn partnership with the PNW Florist Association, our premier evening experience of Chrysanthemum Festival returns. Immerse yourself in the illuminated works of 18 talented local floral artists and featured designer Toni Tibbits as they interpret this year’s theme, Golden Blooms Upon Autumn Waters.
$32
More details coming soon on these programs:
- 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 - Chrysanthemum Huayi Workshop
November 14 & 21 | 1:00–3:00 PM
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.