GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Oct. 17, 2024 — Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park announced record-breaking attendance for its 2024 fiscal year ending Sept. 30, solidifying its place as one of Michigan’s most-visited cultural destinations and one of the country’s most visited art museums. Over 785,250 visitors experienced art, culture, and nature at Meijer Gardens in the last year, marking the highest annual attendance in the organization’s near 30-year history.
This milestone is in addition to Meijer Gardens welcoming its 15 millionth visitor in April 2024 and being ranked the 90th most popular art museum in the world and 15th in the country by attendance, according to The Art Newspaper’s Visitor Figures 2023 Analysis issued in March 2024.
A key factor contributing to this blockbuster year was its continued recognition as one of the top destinations in the country. Meijer Gardens was named Best Sculpture Park in the United States for a second straight year (2024, 2023) by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, underscoring its status as a must-visit cultural landmark and an internationally acclaimed destination.
Other contributing factors include the popular Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition in March and April, the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens concert series, and the loan of a rare blooming corpse flower from Grand Valley State University in June.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of our members, guests, and community partners who have made this significant achievement possible,” said Charles Burke, President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. “As we prepare for our 30th year, we remain dedicated to providing exceptional experiences that inspire and engage all who walk through our doors.”
Kicking off the organization’s 30th anniversary, Meijer Gardens will debut ENLIGHTEN, a new outdoor holiday light spectacle running on select dates Nov. 27 to Jan. 4. Created in collaboration with the teams at Lightswitch and Upstaging known for producing immersive events and shows for major attractions worldwide and for Grammy, Emmy and Academy Award-winning artists, ENLIGHTEN promises to delight audiences of all ages. This immersive, one-mile outdoor experience fuses art, light, and nature – showcasing masterpieces by artists including Henry Moore, Alexander Leiberman, Roxy Paine and Ai Weiwei highlighted by cutting-edge light installations, synchronized music and interactive elements. The experience continues indoors with the University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition, celebrating global cultures and holiday customs. With timed tickets now on sale, ENLIGHTEN will offer an unforgettable holiday experience, blending festive holiday fun with the beauty of Meijer Gardens.
The 30th anniversary will be commemorated with other special programs and events throughout 2025 to be announced at a later date.
Meijer Gardens also announced the appointment of eight new members to its Board of Directors:
- Rosalyn Bliss – Mayor, City of Grand Rapids
- Nicole Dandridge – CEO, VA Enterprises
- Terri Gaskey – SVP of Family & Talent Services, RDV Corporation
- Mark Gurney – Founding Chair/CEO, Tetra Therapeutics (retired)
- Joe Jones – President/CEO, The Hekima Group
- Randy Thelen – President/CEO, The Right Place
- Al Vandenberg – County Administrator/Controller, Kent County
- Richard Winn – President, AHC Hospitality
For more information and a full listing of upcoming events, including details on the new ENLIGHTEN experience, visit MeijerGardens.org.
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