News

WOODSIDE, CA – May 6, 2025 – Six larger-than-life Trolls are coming to Filoli Historic House and Garden. Opening June 7, 2025, TROLLS: Save the Humans will bring six of Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s gigantic folklore-inspired sculptures to the Natural Lands of Filoli. Nestled among the redwoods, the outdoor exhibition will explore the intersection of folklore, poetry, sustainability, and the human relationship to the natural environment. 

Like many of Thomas Dambo’s sculptures, each Troll has been created from reclaimed wood, highlighting the artist’s passion as a recycling art activist. The Trolls will be discoverable along a mile trail within Filoli’s Natural Lands, waiting for visitors to discover them along the less-visited areas of the beloved property. Guests will find them planting a garden at the trailhead, resting among the redwoods, and hanging birdhouses in the oak woodlands.

Trolls at Filoli marks the latest chapter in a worldwide sculpture fairytale. In this installation, six young activist trolls have noticed that humans are disconnected from nature and have started harming the planet. These young Trolls set out to help humans learn how to live harmoniously with the planet. This will be the Trolls first visit to the redwoods.

In addition to the sculptures themselves, there will be extensive programming for families and children centered around nature play, wellness, and performing arts. A Children’s Nature Playspace will also be installed that features willow huts, an oak tree tumble, musical play elements, and a children’s theatre. More information follows.

Full of personality and activism, each Troll has a unique name and plays a distinctive role in the tribe, becoming role models for humans to learn from. There’s:

• Ronja Redeye carries the gift of communication and knows how to speak words that humans understand. Although she is the smallest of the group, she has a mighty voice and is the natural leader. She will be the first to greet visitors just in front of the main house. Sponsored by The San Francisco Peninsula.

• Rosa Sunfinger is an introverted troll who cares for plants and other green creatures with her life-giving fingers. Her face is as gentle as her personality, and she always wears a soft sunny smile on her cheeks. 

• Ibbi Pip is a handy, optimistic troll and a friend of all animals. She tries to communicate with humans through colorful birdhouses because she has seen how humans build these to bring the birds closer. She thinks that maybe this could awaken the humans’ compassion for their natural surroundings. Ibbi Pip is sponsored by The Wollenberg Family.

• Basse Buller spreads his message in mud paint, using every available surface. He is a wild child at heart, but when he starts painting, he finds his calm. He loves to express himself through symbols and shapes inspired by nature and makes his marks with stones, leaves, sticks, and anything else that he can find.
  Basse Buller is sponsored by Filoli’s Board of Directors.

• Kamma Can is a creator. Where humans see trash, she sees potential. Over the last years of human existence, the amount of colorful eternity material has increased rapidly. Kamma wants to teach humans not to throw these beautiful things away so quickly. 

• Sofus Lotus is an introverted type who pays great attention to the little things. He hears every little crackle, thud, and buzz. He was the first one to notice that something was wrong with the world, and that nature was changing its rhythm and ways. But he doesn’t make a fuss. He just listens, feels, and is mindful of nature and all its beings. Sofus Lotus is sponsored by Dennis and Julie Carlson and Family.

With over 101 Trolls worldwide, Trolls at Filoli is Thomas Dambo’s latest exploration into crafting giant trolls with an environmental call. In this traveling exhibition, he tells an evolved story of listening and tending to nature, further building on Nordic-inspired tales and artist-made poems. This will be the first time the Trolls have found their way into the megaflora Redwood forest. 

TROLLS: Save the Humans is produced by Imagine in collaboration with the artist. It is on view at Filoli Historic House & Garden from June 7–November 10, 2025. 

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filoli.org/trolls

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Children’s Nature Playspace
Filoli is creating a Children’s Nature Playspace, installed near Basse Buller along the Trolls trail in the Natural Lands. The Playspace will feature many interactive elements for children, including willow huts, an oak tree tumble, play objects, and a wandering pathway with whimsical surprises around each turn. In addition to the Playspace and extensive children’s programming, Filoli hosts daily storytime for preschoolers to young elementary-aged children, and a dress-up cart will be available daily.

The Trailhead Store
Nestled in the redwoods, the Trailhead Store will offer a welcoming destination for guests who have ventured out to the Trolls trail. Featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of trail snacks, grab-and-go beverages, and unique souvenirs, guests can relax on the scenic deck and soak in the tranquil sounds of the forest. The Store will be stocked with essential hiking apparel and backpacking supplies to equip adventurers of all ages for their next journey. 

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Trolls Programming

Summer Nights | June 11–September 18, 2025 | Wednesdays & Thursdays evenings

Throughout the summer, Filoli will stay open till 8pm with exclusive after-hours access, including access to TROLLS: Save the Humans. Guests can enjoy garden strolls, live music, food trucks, and twilight hikes. Cost: $29-$39, includes general admission.

Transforming Trash | June 22, July 9, August 12, & September 10, 2025

Guests of all ages are welcome at these drop-in art activities inspired by Trolls, transforming recycled materials into creative works of art. Free with general admission.

Parent’s Night Out | July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14, 21, 28, & September 4, 11, 18, 2025

Parents can enjoy a relaxing evening while Filoli takes care of your child care! In this 90-minute, guided experience, kids will explore trails, hunt for treasure, play games, and get creative with arts and crafts—led by the engaging staff of the Riekes Center. Available for elementary-aged children, 5–8pm. Cost: $45 per child; general admission is required for adults

Family Nature Weekend | July 12 & 13, 2025

Inspired by the magic of Trolls, guests will discover how nature brings us together with hands-on crafts, eco-friendly fun, and outdoor exploration inspired. All ages are welcome. Free with general admission. Sponsored by Fergus Garber Architects (FGA).

Children’s Redwood Theater | July 20 & August 17, 2025

The adventure begins with a one-mile walk through nature, where you’ll encounter the magical sculptures from the TROLLS: Save the Humans. Guests will emerge at the Children’s Redwood Theater, where magical performances await for children of all ages among Filoli’s Natural Lands. Cost: $20; general admission is required to attend.

Extended Programming Information is available here.

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Ticketing Information

TROLLS: Save the Humans is included in General Admission.

• Adult: $34–$39
• Senior: $32–$37
• Child (5–17): $24–$29
• Student/Teacher/Military: $30–$35
• Members: Free

Tickets can be purchased via this link.

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Sponsorship Information

TROLLS: Save the Humans is generously sponsored by the San Francisco Peninsula, Dennis and Julie Carlson and Family, The Wollenberg Family, and Filoli’s Board of Directors. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

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About Filoli

Filoli, (Pronunciation: F ī / Lō / Lē), a historic house and world-class garden, is located just south of San Francisco  in Woodside, California. The modern site is situated on the unceded ancestral lands of the Ramaytush Ohlone. Originally built as a private residence in 1917, Filoli was opened to the public in 1975 and is today, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The property is one of the finest remaining country estates of the 20th century, featuring a 54,000+ square-foot Georgian revival-style mansion, 16 acres of English Renaissance gardens, a 6.8-acre Gentleman’s Orchard, and hundreds of acres of natural lands, featuring six distinct ecosystems and two trail loops. Open 363 days a year, Filoli is 30 minutes from San Francisco, and 20 minutes from SFO.

About Thomas Dambo
Born in Odense, Denmark in 1979, Thomas Dambo creates art that inspires people to explore, have adventures in nature, and show that recycled goods can be turned into something beautiful. Before embarking on the path of building larger-than-life troll sculptures, Thomas led a multi-faceted life that allowed him to express his creativity via music, street art, and scenic design. After graduating from the Kolding Design School in Kolding, Denmark, with a master’s degree in interactive design, Thomas began his journey of using recycled materials to create colorful art installations, building the foundation for his artwork today. He currently lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Thomas Dambo is best known for his colossal trolls that ‘live’ as permanent or semi-permanent installations in parks, greenspaces, industrial parks, and other site-specific locations around the world. Each folklore-inspired sculpture is imbued with expression and character and is built entirely from reclaimed materials. 

About Imagine
Imagine (formerly known as Imagine Exhibitions) is a global leader in immersive storytelling and experiential design, specializing in the development of world-class exhibitions and attractions for museums, studios, IPs, brands, and leisure destinations worldwide. Through its four core services—Exhibitions, Studio, Retail, and Operations—Imagine created visitor experiences that entertain, educate, and inspire. 

Imagine’s Exhibitions division creates, tours, and operates award-winning traveling experiences like Harry Potter™: The Exhibition and Titanic: The Exhibition, captivating audiences and driving attendance worldwide. Its Studio plans, designs, and produces both traveling and permanent experiences, offering comprehensive creative services for clients seeking unique, story-driven experiences. The Retail division enhances guest engagement and drives revenue through bespoke product development, store design, and operations, while the Operations team provides extensive consulting, marketing, and operational support, ensuring the seamless and profitable management of visitor experiences across various venues.

Imagine is currently producing, presenting or operating more than 40 unique experiences around the globe, spanning museums, science centers, zoos, botanical gardens, integrated resorts, and non-traditional venues. For more information, visittheimagineteam.com.

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Contact

Miriam Cohen
Filoli Historic House & Garden
mcohen@filoli.org / press@filoli.org

86 Cañada Road
Woodside, CA 94062
650.364.8300 / 626.726.7507