Woodside’s Filoli Estate & Gardens is getting ready to host some whimsical, oversized guests in its redwood forest. Starting on June 7th, 2025, guests are invited to explore TROLLS: Save the Humans, a brilliant outdoor exhibition by Danish sculptor Thomas Dambo, who specializes in creating large-scale sculptures from reclaimed materials. Filoli will receive six of his famous troll sculptures to be scattered around the property for visitors to find on a scenic walk. This is the first time that Dambo’s trolls have been placed in the California redwoods.
The exquisite outdoor showcase examines how we connect to the natural environment through folklore and poetry. Dambo’s work as a recycling art activist is on full display here, showing how trash and discarded materials can be turned into something breathtaking and poignant. He hopes that viewers will come away with renewed inspiration in nature and motivation to protect the environment.
Dambo has cultivated numerous sculptural fairytales all over the world in traveling exhibitions, exploring themes of nature and humanity with over 101 troll sculptures to date. TROLLS: Save the Humans brings a new chapter to the story at Filoli in collaboration with producer Imagine.
The story follows six young “activist trolls” as they try to help humans reconnect with the planet, incorporating elements of Nordic tales and folklore. Dambo’s trolls have different names and roles in the outdoor exhibition, from group leader “Ronja Redeye,” whose voice sounds like wind whistling through a tree canopy; to “Ibbi Pip,” who is hard at work installing birdhouses.
Visitors are invited to explore Filoli’s “Natural Lands,” the estate’s wild, uncultivated section, to discover the playful sculptures. Keep an eye out for more critters like deer, turkeys, banana slugs, and birds along the California Trail.
“I’m so happy my Trolls get to spend some time amongst the giant redwoods at Filoli,” says Dambo. “I spent a day hiking in the forest, and it is a magical place where I know my Trolls will feel at home.”
Dambo’s exhibition is a great reason to plan a day trip to Filoli, especially if it’s your first time. The sprawling property has a historic mansion with 56 rooms, an enormous 16-acre formal garden area with phenomenal landscaping, and ongoing seasonal events throughout the year. Throughout the trolls’ residence at Filoli, you may catch peak bloom for the garden’s roses, lavender, hydrangeas, and bountiful fruit trees. This is also one of the Bay Area’s most reliable places to see fall foliage.
During the exhibition, Filoli will run family-oriented programming centered around nature play and wellness. The estate plans to build a play space made from oak trees and host theater and musical performances.
🗓️ Dates: TROLLS: Save the Humans will be on display from June 7th to November 10th, 2025
📍 Location: Filoli Estate & Gardens, 86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA 94062
🌐 Tickets: You can get daytime admission tickets to Filoli here