Sherry Nedens Spring Tulips Showcase
May 1 – May 18, 2025
Spring awakens in the Paine gardens with the annual Tulips Showcase! This May, enjoy a stroll among thousands of tulips throughout four acres of gardens. At least 10,000 tulips are displayed in the Formal Garden, while many more tulips color the mansion façade and various outdoor “galleries” with budding trees and the sounds of spring’s renewal all around.
Peak bloom is anticipated during the first two weeks of May.
Jim Koepnick 
Ken Cravillion 
Jim Koepnick 
Jim Koepnick 
Sherry Nedens 
Jim Koepnick 
Ken Cravillion 
Phil Weston Daily Admission
October 28–November 20, 2025
Admission includes viewing the mansion and gardens
Tuesday–Sunday
11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Reservations recommended
Nutcracker in the Castle
November 21, 2025–January 5, 2026
Kids Free Days at the Nutcracker
Children enjoy free admission to self-guided tours with a paid adult admission
November 21–26, 2025
10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Reservations required
Children ages 17 and under enjoy free admission to self-guided tours of Nutcracker in the Castle on select days and times with a paid adult admission, courtesy of Verve, a Credit Union. Verve will also collect donations to Toys for Tots under the giant Christmas tree.
$17 Adult
Free for Paine Members
Limit of five (5) free children per one adult admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Self-guided tours
Featuring 20 decorated settings and 70 Christmas trees in the historic Paine mansion
November 28, 2025–January 5, 2026
Monday–Saturday | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM*
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day:
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Reservations recommended
On self-guided tours, journey through more than 20 rooms and spaces elaborately decorated as the fantastic scenes of the Nutcracker story. On the first floor, each setting features a large storybook with illustrations that reveal a portion of the fairy tale. On the second floor, the rooms portray the home and lifestyle of the Stahlbaum family, as well as the workshop of Godfather Drosselmeyer and a wide variety of finely crafted wooden Nutcrackers. Throughout both floors, more than 60 mischievous mice are hidden within the settings.
$17 Adult
$13 Youth (ages 5–17)
Free for Paine Members
Free for children ages 4 and under
*Reservations for self-guided tours are especially recommended for Saturdays and between Christmas and New Year’s. Those with reservations are admitted first, and walk-ins are only admitted if space allows. *Verve, A Credit Union members receive 2-for-1 admission to self-guided tours. Proof of membership required. *Amcor employees receive 2-for-1 admission for self-guided tours. Proof of employment is required.
Candlelight tours
Featuring the decorated settings illuminated by Christmas trees in the evening
November 28, 2025–January 2, 2026
Sundays | Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Mondays | Dec. 15, 22 & 29 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Tuesdays | Dec. 16, 23 & 30 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Thursdays | Dec. 4, 11, & 18 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Fridays | Nov. 28, Dec. 5, & Jan. 2 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Reservations required
Candlelight tours offer guests an especially enchanting way to take a self-guided tour of the Nutcracker display in the evening. The lights of the “castle” are dimmed and the settings are illuminated by the glow of more than 70 Christmas trees. As guests enter, they are handed electric candles to carry as they wander through the glowing rooms.
$21 Adult
$16 Youth (ages 5–17)
Free for Paine Members
Free for children ages 4 and under
Verve, A Credit Union members receive 2-for-1 admission to candlelight tours. Proof of membership required. Amcor employees receive 2-for-1 admission for candlelight tours. Proof of employment is required.
Guided Tours
Featuring live musical, acting, and dance performances
November 29, 2025–January 4, 2026
Fridays | 5:00–8:00 PM*
Saturdays | 5:00–8:00 PM
Sundays | 12:00–3:30 PM
Reservations required
A guided tour of Nutcracker in the Castle brings the characters and scenes of the fairy tale to life. The tour begins with a festive party in the “Ballroom” and live performances by a string quartet. Guests enjoy punch and cookies while Godfather Drosselmeyer tells the story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince.
Afterwards, he leads guests through the elaborately decorated rooms of the mansion. The story culminates in the “Lands of Afar” where youth and professional dancers perform selections from the Nutcracker ballet. Guests then tour the second-floor rooms, which are fancifully decorated as Clara’s family home and Drosselmeyer’s workshop.
$40 Adult
$32 Youth (ages 5–17)
Paine Members:
$30 Adult
$24 Youth (ages 5–17)
Free for children ages 4 and under
Tours begin every 30 minutes and last about an hour. *Guided tours are not available on Friday, Dec. 5 or on Friday, Jan. 2. Youth dancers from Valley Academy for the Arts perform Nov. 29–30; Dec. 6–7; and Jan. 3–4. Professional dancers from the Minnesota Ballet perform Dec. 12–14; Dec. 19–21; and Dec. 26–28.
Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cupcake Café
Located in the Conservatory at the back of the Paine property
November 21, 2025–January 4, 2026
Thursdays & Fridays | 5:00–7:30 PM
Saturdays | 11:00 AM–7:30 PM
Sundays | 12:30 PM–7:30 PM*
Closed on holidays
Kids Free Days at the Nutcracker hours
Nov. 21 | 5:00–7:30 PM
Nov. 22-23 | 11:00 AM–7:30 PM
Nov. 24-26 | 5:00–7:30 PM
Additional holiday hours
Dec. 15–16 | 5:00–7:30 PM
Dec. 22–23, 26 & 29–30 | 11:00 AM–7:30 PM
No reservations necessary
Visit the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cupcake Café for a scrumptious treat before or after tours of Nutcracker in the Castle! There, you’ll meet a fairy from the Land of the Sugar Plums as you enjoy cupcakes and hot cocoa in a fairyland setting within the Paine’s Conservatory.
$9 includes cupcake and hot cocoa, milk, or coffee.
*Sunday, Nov. 23 | 11:00 AM–7:30 PM Cupcakes are made by Manderfield’s Home Bakery.
*Sunday, Nov. 30 | 12:30–3:30 PM
*Sunday, Jan. 4 | 12:30–3:30 PM
Become a Paine Member!
Paine Members enjoy free admission to the mansion, gardens, and exhibitions for an entire year. They also receive invitations to special events, discounts on merchandise in the gift shop, and early access to reservations of Nutcracker in the Castle. Join as a Member now to start receiving benefits immediately!
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about planning a visit here, and for additional help, call 920-235-6903.
Yes. Admission is required to view the gardens (free for Paine Members!). You can pay online in advance by making a reservation, or start your visit at the front desk of the mansion. Admission includes viewing the gardens, historic mansion, and current art exhibition.
The grounds include nearly four acres of gardens. Plan for an hour at a leisurely walking pace. Walking shoes are encouraged. There are seating areas and benches available throughout the property as well – stop for a rest at any of these to enjoy the lovely sights and sounds of nature all around.
Restrooms are available inside the mansion or inside the Conservatory, located at the back of the property.
Photo shoots in the gardens require a permit and advance planning. To arrange for a photo shoot, please connect with our events team at events@thepaine.org.
Yes. The garden paths are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available for use if needed. Simply stop at the front desk of the mansion to borrow one.
Umbrella strollers are available at the mansion. Please return strollers to the mansion at the end of your visit.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy a snack or meal at the patio tables near the Formal Garden, as well as at the patio tables on the Loggia. Please take your garbage with you.
Docent tours of the gardens are available! Our friendly volunteer docents love to show visitors around and answer questions about the gardens and plants. When planning a visit, give us a call at 920-235-6903 to arrange for a docent tour. Please give at least two weeks of notice when requesting a tour.
Only fully-trained service dogs are permitted, which must comply with ADA requirements and must stay on walking paths. Therapy dogs, emotional support animals, and other pets are not permitted on the property.
For safety purposes, bicycles are not permitted to ride within the gates of the Paine. Visitors may walk bicycles along the paths, or lock them up at a bicycle rack located near the front gates along Algoma Boulevard.
To ensure everyone can have the same experience with nature’s beauty, look with eyes and not with hands – please refrain from removing flowers or other plants to take home.
To preserve the botanical gardens, smoking and vaping are not permitted within the gates of the Paine.