Central States Dahlia Society
Central States Dahlia Society is proud to host the 2025 ADS National Dahlia Show and to welcome dahlia enthusiasts from around the world to Chicago on September 18 - 22, 2025!
Quick links to important show information:
***NEW Weekend Brochure (added 9/16) everything you need to know for the weekend: show registration check-in, information for exhibitors, seminar details, tour times, dining, maps. Printed copies available at check-in.
Detailed Weekend Schedule (updated 9/14) detailed schedule for all events and activities; updated time for Thursday Meet and Greet to start at 6:30 pm in Northfield, updated location of Hospitality Room, updated Seminar Schedule.
***NEW Chicago Botanic Garden Maps and Show Layouts (added 9/16) full-sized maps for easier readibility
***NEW Seminars and Meetings (added 9/16) schedule, description and speaker bios
***NEW Curated CBG Walking Tour (added 9/16) compiled by Laura Matz, longtime CSDS Board Member, 2025 National Show Committee member, and CBG master gardener volunteer. Discover her favorite and secret spots in the garden!
2025 Show Schedule (updated 8/17) updated 8/4 with entry limits per section, deadlines for when entries must be in place, register for seedling bench evaluation, and other minor changes. Updated 8/17 correcting small errors. See revision date on cover.
Ask the Experts: Exhibiting Dahlias for National Show advice for 2025 National Show exhibitors
Oasis Video Demonstration how to efficiently cut oasis for the three different size vases
2025 Challenge Blooms and Guidelines (updated 9/15)
Updated 9/15 with Challenge Sponsor; updated 7/15 with details of the two different ways Challenge Blooms will be judged. Also reordered and renumbered Challenge Bloom IDs.
Registration Brochure (updated 4/18). Please review the registration update effective 4/26 for changes not reflected in the Registration brochure. 9/16: Some information in this brochure may be out of date.
2025 ADS National Show Tours updated 4/18; changed to reflect sold-out tours; Chicago tour is now also sold out. 9/16: This document has good information but times, meal info may be out of date.
We look forward to hosting you
in Chicago
September 18 - 22, 2025!
Come be a part of dahlia history!
Photo by Maria Rebelo
Hotel Information
The Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel in Northbrook is fully booked during the show, and there are no more rooms available at the special room rate.
Learn more about the hotel (part of the Marriott family) and its amenities here. Looking for a place to eat? Explore a wide variety of dining options within a few minutes of the hotel. Want to extend your stay and make it a vacation? Here are additional ideas of things to do in the area.
Show Venue
The Chicago Botanic Garden, a 385-acre living plant museum, will serve as the stunning backdrop for the dahlia show. It is situated in Glencoe, about 20 miles north of downtown Chicago and less than 2 miles from Lake Michigan. Discover what CBG offers in this video and on their website.
Transportation
It will be possible to attend the National Show without renting a vehicle.
Uber or taxis from O'Hare Airport are about $80 each way while Midway Airport will cost approximately $120 each way (depending on day and time).
There will be scheduled transport between the Renaissance Hotel and Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG) on Thursday thru Sunday at times that make sense for the Show. Attendees can call for pick up or return to the Renaissance Hotel in addition to scheduled times. The actual transport schedule will be firmed up a month before the show.
Tours will include bus transport.
Attendees can visit other Chicago sites by renting cars, calling outside transport, or utilizing public transportation such as CTA subway trains (known as the "L") or Metra suburban trains.
Subscribe for Updates
If you are interested in the public displays on September 20 and 21, sign up for email updates here.
Questions? Contact us at csds2025show@gmail.com.
Save the Date cards for exhibitors and conference attendees:
Banner design, card design, and dahlia photos: Vida Wu
Logo design: Larry Cole