Experience the upcoming Art Alive and Bloom Bash

Art Alive is back in 2024! It promises to be a celebration as design, flowers & art collide for four days filled with dreamy wonder, excellence, and amusement.

By Amanda Rosa

Last Updated on
Mar 20, 2024

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Art Alive and Bloom Bash

Weekend Full of Color

What Will You Discover

The Art Alive Event Returns | A Weekend Full of Color & Fun

Entrance to the San Diego Musuem of Art in Balboa Park

The Outdoor Cafe and Bar - Panama 66 at The San Diego Museum of Art

Art Alive returns April 25th, 2024 and runs until April 28th, 2024 for four days filled with themed activities, perfect for all ages.

This event is the signature annual fundraiser for The San Diego Museum of Art, where the museum receives support for their exhibits, outreach programs, and more through donations and planned giving.

SDMA is leaving no leaf unturned for 2024! Visitors to the museum will feel like they’ve been transported to India and be dazzled by the large-scale floral exhibition.

Main Lobby at the San Diego Art Museum

The Art of India

Art Alive 2024’s theme is the art of India!

Visitors can explore the theme throughout the 4 day event, including a special art installation of the museum’s Edwin Binney 3rd Collection of South Asian paintings.

The San Diego Museum of Art’s The Art of India theme also features South-Asian descended chefs, artists, musicians, and floral designers for authentic representations and programs.

German Expressionism Art at the San Diego Art Museum

Bloom Bash

Bloom Bash, Art Alive’s kick off celebration will be held on Friday, April 26.

Guests can expect to be among the first to see Meghaa Modi’s brilliant floral exhibition, listen to music by DJ Pratik, and watch the performances by Kavita Rao & Karmagraphy.

Presented by Harrah’s Resort Southern California, this event is 21+. Be sure to have your ID on hand. Bloom Bash tickets are currently on sale for both members and non-members.

Family-friendly Activities

The Art Alive event also features the family-friendly Garden of Activities where museum educators guide visitors in creating their own floral art.

What Will You Discover at Art Alive and Bloom Bash?

The San Diego Museum of Art Garden

Not only will visitors be treated to plenty of activities, including the Art Alive Floral Exhibition, but guests can purchase separate tickets to the exclusive Premiere Dinner and fun-filled, art party Bloom Bash.

Garden of Activities

The Art Alive event also features the family-friendly Garden of Activities where museum educators guide visitors in creating their own floral art.

I personally think this is the perfect family art workshop event where you’ll feel like you've created your own annual floral exhibition.

Guests can also create rangoli art making alongside guest instructors from DOTURMINDS. You’ll get to create intricate, colorful patterns in these fun for everyone art tutorials.

The Rotunda Floral Installation

The Art Alive floral exhibition goes a step further in Meghaa Modi's installation.

Her installation honors India's reverence and love for the sacred Kamadhenu and her calf. It combines sight, smell, and touch in a floral art feast for the senses.

The Art Alive Premiere Dinner

The Art Alive weekend begins Thursday, April 25th with this elegant dinner.

Guests will find themselves surrounded by paintings from the special art installation of the Edwin Binney 3rd Collection and an expertly curated dinner that celebrates South Asian cuisine from Chef Barry Layne and Chef Saransh Oberoi.

Premiere Dinner tickets are available and include tickets to both the Art Alive event and Bloom Bash.

The San Diego Museum of Art at Night in Balboa Park

Members Preview

Members of the San Diego Museum get early access to Art Alive on Friday, April 26th!

If you’re a member, you’ll get a first look at the annual floral exhibition plus vote on your favorite interpretation.

Timed-tickets are currently available and the museum recommends members pre-register in advance.

The Art Alive Floral Exhibition

The whirl of this colorful floral exhibition is expertly integrated within the San Diego Museum of Art's current art installations.

The floral designers combine fragrant and colorful accents to create arrangements that will enhance the museum's collection.

Schedule of Events

Bringing it all together, below is the calendar of events for all that’s happening at the bash.

Thursday, April 25

Art Alive 2024 Premiere Dinner | 6:30–11 PM

Friday, April 26

Members’ Preview | 8 AM–12 PM
Art Alive Floral Exhibition | 12 PM–5 PM
Bloom Bash | 7 PM–12 AM

Saturday, April 27

Art Alive Floral Exhibition | 10 AM–6 PM
Garden of Activities | 1–5 PM

Sunday, April 28

Art Alive Floral Exhibition | 10 AM–6 PM
Garden of Activities | 1–5 PM

Art Lovers Bundle & SAVE!

San Diego Museum of Art

Experience art from around the world at San Diego's oldest art institution! Visitors enjoy 19th and 20th Century American paintings, in addition to Spanish, Italian and Asian artwork. Don't miss the sculpture garden and floral displays!

Buy Now

What kind of deals does the Go City San Diego pass offer?

The Go City San Diego pass gives visitors the ability to save up to 55% on attraction admissions.

Combine our exclusive 5% discount to save even more and consider the All-Inclusive pass to maximize your savings. Plus the pass gives you the ability to skip the line when visiting select attractions.

Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

How Much Does Art Alive and Bloom Bash Cost?

Dani Entering the San Diego Art Museum

Non-member timed tickets are available to purchase.

Art Alive Tickets Are:

$40 for adults
$5 for children 7-17
Free for children 0-6

Art Alive is free for those with a general membership, but members must reserve timed tickets.

Remember, Art Alive Premiere Dinner and Bloom Bash tickets are sold separately.

Bloom Bash Tickets Are:

$250 for members
$300 for non-members

Premiere Dinner Tickets are:

$3,000 per seat

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What You’ll Want to Know Before You Experience the Upcoming Art Alive and Bloom Bash

Balboa Park, the home to the San Diego Museum of Art, is not the only place you can experience the Art Alive weekend.

The San Diego Art Museum

Art Alive Petal Pop-Ups

Can't make it to the Art Alive event? SDMA brings a little pop of floral art across San Diego and Balboa Park in Art Alive Petal Pop-Ups.

In the 4 consecutive weekends ahead of the event, large-scale floral installations can be found in secret locations around the area. Created by Native Poppy and Cali Wholesale Flowers, these pop ups are free to all.

To find them, follow SDMA on social media.

These art installations will run:

March 22-24, 2024
March 29-31, 2024
April 5-7, 2024
April 12-14, 2024

The San Diego Museum of Art Entrance

What are the Museum Hours?

The Art Alive event is running on a separate schedule than the usual museum hours. Check directly with the museum for the latest.

The official SDMA museum hours though are below:

Monday & Tuesday | 10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday | Closed
Thursday - Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM
Sunday | 12 PM–5 PM

Outdoor Pool at the Lafayette Hotel Swim Club and Bungalows

Where to Stay?

There is certainly no shortage of places to stay near Balboa Park, so where do we recommend you stay while in town for the Art Alive weekend?

The Lafayette Hotel And Club

This classic San Diego hotel is the perfect complement to this and any of the other San Diego events in the area.

Guests at the Lafayette are treated to a colonial-style hotel, a haven for Hollywood’s brightest like Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. Recently renovated, The Lafayette Hotel And Club combines old-style elegance and a modern, eclectic aesthetic.

Sculpture Outside the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla

How to Get the Most Out of Your San Diego Visit?

There's so much to do in San Diego that it can be tough to decide where to start.

If you're looking forward to visiting more museums and spending more time with art installations, the Go San Diego All-Inclusive pass is for you!

Visit the San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - La Jolla, or the San Diego Museum of Us all for one discounted price.

Experience 40+ attractions, tours, and museums - including the San Diego Zoo - all on one pass.

Get a further discount when you use our exclusive discount code - GVSD5OFF - to save on your passes.

Please note, because this is a fundraising event used to garner support and planned giving, Go Pass tickets are not accepted for the Art Alive Event.

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The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows

Balboa Park

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Feast your senses and experience the glamor of 1980s luxury at the stylized Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club, & Bungalow in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood.

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