Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition

48th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition — presented by the Midwest Bonsai Society, August 14–16, 2026, at the Chicago Botanic Garden (Regenstein Center, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022).

Dates & hours: Friday, August 14, 12 noon – 5 p.m.; Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

One of the largest regional bonsai exhibitions in the United States and the Society's longest-running show (48th year in 2026). The exhibition is centered on the Chicago Botanic Garden's Permanent Collection of more than 50 world-class trees, and enthusiasts from across the Midwest and beyond bring their trees to be judged in the main hall of the Garden's Regenstein Center.

Guest Master: Boon Manakitivipart (Bay Island Bonsai), who judges and critiques the exhibited trees.

Features: judged tree display, vendors from across the United States selling trees, supplies and pots, workshops, demonstrations, the Saturday night banquet and auction, volunteer opportunities, and online tree registration for exhibitors.

Admission: there is no cost to attend the bonsai show once inside the Garden; regular Chicago Botanic Garden parking rates and per-person admission tickets apply. Hotels near the Garden offer discounted rates for out-of-town visitors.

The 2027 (49th) edition has not yet been announced; the Society's site and news feed were last updated with the 2026 exhibition details.