In 2017, Homer received the official designation of the City of Peonies, honoring what was at that time around 20 peony farms in the area. Today, there are more than 25 peony farms, several which provide guided farm tours and workshops. Locals and visitors can find peony-themed murals and photo boards downtown, along with peonies in varying stages of bloom in public gardens located in Old Town and downtown, including along Pioneer Avenue and Lake Street as well as the Sterling Highway. This year, the Homer Chamber of Commerce celebrates the sixth annual Peony Celebration, featuring art exhibits, events, workshops, flower sales, guided farm tours and more.
Art Exhibits
The Peony Celebration includes art exhibits by local artists featuring vibrant peonies.
“Postcards from Paradise: Homer Through the Lens,” featuring peony and other themed photography by Homer photographer Edson Knapp is on display through July at the Art Shop Gallery, 202 W. Pioneer Avenue.
“Simply Peonies,” peony-themed oil paintings by Homer artist and peony farmer Gerri Martin, and “Conglomerate,” mixed media work highlighting peonies and more by Homer artist Ingrid McKinstry are on display through July at Fireweed Gallery, 475 E. Pioneer Avenue.
“Everyday Details,” peony and other themed oil paintings by Homer artist Jen DePesa are on display through July at Grace Ridge Brewing, 870 Smoky Bay Way. Her artwork is also featured on the brewery’s new Peony Celebration brew beer label.
The August art exhibit schedule will be available at homernews.com on July 31 in the Arts section’s First Friday listing.
Events
The Peony Celebration includes events for all ages, from story time and paper peony making to yoga and tea parties.
The Pratt Museum at 3779 Bartlett Street hosts several free activities, including Storytime at the Pratt: All About Plants on Wednesday, July 16, 23 and 30 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.; a Pop-Up Peony Tea Party on Saturday, July 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and a Paper Peonies & Garden Hats gathering on Saturday, July 26 from 1-3 p.m. Find more information about these events at prattmuseum.org/events.
Alaska Perfect Peony at 55640 East End Road hosts Yoga in the Peony Fields on Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24 and 31 at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $30 per person per date and participants can pay at the door. For more information, 907-235-8116, alaskaperfectpeony.com.
Captain’s Coffee at 378 E. Pioneer Avenue hosts an Alaska-Style Peony High Tea on Thursday, July 10 and Thursday, August 14 from 4-5:30 p.m. The fee is $25 per person, pay at the door. There is a limit of 20 guests per date and reservations are required through captainscoffee.com.
Guided Tours
The Peony Celebration includes guided tours of local peony farms as well as a local garden and greenhouse.
Alaska Beauty Peony Co-op at 920 Willow Drive hosts guided farm tours on Saturdays through August from 10 a.m. to noon. The fee is $40 per person and reservations are required through alaskabeautypeony.com.
Alaska Perfect Peony at 55640 East End Road hosts guided farm tours Fridays and Saturdays through August from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The fee is $75 per person and reservations are required through alaskaperfectpeony.com.
Anchor Point Greenhouse, 33851 Alder Street, presents on-call private peony and agricultural tours. Reservations are required the day before your preferred tour date and can be made by calling 907-399-1580.
Bear Creek Winery, 60203 Bear Creek Drive, hosts garden tours and wine tastings. Reservations are required for tasting parties of 10 or more by calling 907-318-2470 or through bearcreekwinery.com.
Diamond Ridge Peonies, 40885 Knott Circle, offers guided farm tours daily at 2 p.m. through August. The fee is $30 per person and reservations are required by calling 907-399-7597 or 907-399-1556, or through diamondridgepeonies.com.
Workshops
Workshops in bouquet design, painting and more provide participants with a hands-on opportunity to celebrate all things peony.
Alaska Perfect Peony, 55640 East End Road, will host a Bouquet Design Class, with the date to be announced soon on the homeralaska.org website and the farm website alaskaperfectpeony.com. The fee will be $75 per person and reservations are required through alaskaperfectpeony.com
Homer Council on the Arts, 355 W Pioneer Avenue, presents Chinese Peony Painting with Homer artist Sharlene Cline on Wednesday, July 23 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The fee is $50 for HCOA members and $60 for the general public. Reserve your spot at homerart.org or by calling 907-235-4288.
Alaska Beauty Peony Co-op hosts DIY Peony Bouquet Bar at 1435 Lake Shore Drive, next to Homer Brewing Company on Fridays, July 11, 18 and 25 from 4-7 p.m. The fee is $20 per person. Find more information at alaskabeautypeony.com.
Peony Sales
A highlight of the Peony Celebration is the chance to purchase peony stems and bouquets, and there are numerous opportunities to do so in July and August.
Homer-Kachemak Bay Rotary will be selling bouquets through mid-August at the Homer Chamber of Commerce, 201 Sterling Highway, Fridays, 2-6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Alaska Perfect Peony, 55640 East End Road, will be selling fresh farm-cut peony bouquets daily through July from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Additionally, Alaska Perfect Peony and the Homer Girl Scouts will be distributing peony stems by donation at the Homer Airport on Fridays, July 11, 18 and 25.
Diamond Ridge Peonies will be selling fresh-cut peony bouquets starting mid-July through mid-August at the North Country Charters kiosk, located at 4287 Homer Spit Road, daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pre-order at diamondridgepeonies@gmail.com.
Alaska Beauty Peony Co-op bouquets can be found at the Homer Farmer’s Market at 1155 Ocean Drive Loop all summer long on Wednesdays, 2-5 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They also host a self-serve cooler at 1435 Lakeshore Drive that is open 24/7 for cash, check and Venmo sales.
The sixth annual Peony Celebration is supported by the Homer Foundation Peony Gardens Beautification Fund. Donations can be made at homerfoundation.org/peony-gardens-beautification-fund.
Find the self-guided peony garden tour map and updates to the schedule of events at the Homer Chamber of Commerce, Peony Celebration Headquarters, located at 201 Sterling Highway, and online at homeralaska.org/events/homer-peony-celebration/. The Chamber is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on weekends.
A red peony begins to bloom on Saturday, July 5, 2025, in the public gardens in front of WKFL Park on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Peonies are in bloom on Friday, July 4, 2025, in front of The Classic Cook on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska, just in time for the start of the sixth annual Peony Celebration. Photo by Christina Whiting
