The National Botanic Garden is opening its gates October 25 and 26 for “Cosplay Enchantment in the Gardens,” the October edition of its monthly event series.
The gardens sit on the private property of owners Peter and Baela Knop’s family farm in Chantilly. They’re only open once a month, with special events from April to November. The couple took years to curate and design the landscape and structures across the garden, in hopes of making it the botanic destination of the Washington, DC, area.
This is the first cosplay event the gardens will host. The idea was inspired by guests who have previously visited in Renaissance-like attire to snap pictures across the scenic garden grounds. There are several fantasy-like attractions where visitors can capture their cosplay on camera, including a stone castle, a carved stone dragon, a sculpture garden, and even a Hobbit Town — perfect for Lord of the Rings fans with Shire-inspired costumes.
For nature-lovers, the bamboo gardens, cactus gardens, moss gardens, waterfalls, and a lakeside pavilion are just a few places throughout the property to take in the autumn foliage. The Knops have collected dozens of varieties of bamboo, several species of trees, and an assortment of different flowers on the property. The grounds also feature several accessible walking paths, a stone barn, a pergola, and other seating options for picnics.
One of the biggest attractions on the property is Knop Mountain, a manmade mountain built to be the highest peak between the Atlantic Ocean and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The mountain covers about 40 acres from its foothills to its summit, and the 1-mile climb takes around an hour. At its peak, there is a 360-degree panoramic view of four states.
Tickets start at $45, or $35 for kids 6 and under. Guests can dress up for photo-ops and, for an extra $10, compete in a costume contest with cash prizes.
The gates at 26320 Ticonderoga Rd., Chantilly open at 12 p.m. The costume contest begins at 2 p.m., where participants walk in front of a judges panel in the castle courtyard. The first, second, and third places of two age groups will win cash prizes of $100, $50, and $25.
While the November event theme and dates have yet to be unveiled, the National Botanic Gardens staff are already planning 2026 events, including the return of the Art and Nature Festival in the spring.
Feature image courtesy National Botanic Garden
