Calder Gardens Opens – Showcasing Dozens of Artworks Including Iconic Mobiles

On Sunday, September 21, 2025, Calder Gardens will officially open to the public as a new cultural landmark on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 21st and 22nd Streets in Philadelphia. The 1.8-acre site features an 18,000-square-foot building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning firm Herzog & de Meuron, utilizing sustainable materials such as wood and glass to harmonize with the natural surroundings through natural light and ventilation. The building and gardens, crafted by landscape designer Piet Oudolf, will display approximately three dozen artworks by Alexander Calder, including iconic mobiles, stabiles, paintings, and lesser-known masterpieces.

The grand opening festivities begin on Saturday, September 20, with a free public parade, “Chaos and Kisses,” running from noon to 2 PM, led by artist Arto Lindsay. Organized by Marsha Perelman Senior Director of Programs Juana Berrío, the event highlights Philadelphia’s vibrant community spirit and reflects Calder Gardens’ unique approach, eschewing the traditional “museum” label for an immersive, narrative-free experience. The Calder Foundation, in partnership with the Barnes Foundation, will curate a rotating collection to keep the exhibits dynamic.

The $90 million project, backed by the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, builds on the city’s artistic heritage, linking to landmarks like the William Penn statue by Calder’s grandfather and the Swann Memorial Fountain by his father. Featuring open-air galleries and 37,000 seasonal perennial plants, the site encourages visitors to connect personally with Calder’s art.

Via Christie’s: A conversation with Piet Oudolf on Philadelphia’s new Calder Gardens

Calder Gardens will be open Wednesday through Monday, 11 AM to 5 PM, starting September 21, offering free grounds access and timed indoor gallery tickets, inviting the public to explore a blend of art and nature.

Photos by Iwan Baan.

If you’re in Philadelphia to visit Calder Gardens, there’s also Calder’s Ghost mobile at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It’s a large-scale, white abstract mobile hanging from the ceiling in the museum’s grand entrance hall. Originally created for the Guggenheim Museum, it spans 30 feet. Another one to see in Philadelphia is White Cascade at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the world’s largest mobile, descending 100 feet and spanning about 60 feet wide, suspended in an 8-story atrium. Free public tours are available weekdays, reservations recommended via the bank’s website. I’d suggest verifying these details before going, they may change from time to time.

Related to the official opening of Calder Gardens: