SPRING IS IN FULL BLOOM AT DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
December 16, 2022Phoenix, AZ – Surround yourself with more than 50,000 desert plants and hundreds of colorful cactus blooms this spring at Desert Botanical Garden. This season, visitors will experience a kaleidoscope of colors while the vibrant sculptures of Playing with Stars by Rotraut, mingles poetically with the bright desert flowers. In addition to the surrounding natural beauty, the Garden will offer a variety of events and activities designed for the whole family and a limited-time immersive exhibition by UK artist Luke Jerram. See below for a full list of experiences. Tickets to most events go on sale Dec. 16 visit dbg.org for more details.
Exhibitions
Included with membership or Garden admission
Playing with Stars by Rotraut at Desert Botanical Garden
Now – May 14, 2023 | Included with membership or Garden admission
The bold and lyrical large-scale sculptures of Rotraut will enliven the Garden trails while a selection of her paintings and small sculpture fill the Ottosen Gallery. Known around the world, and based in Arizona, Rotraut’s artwork explores the energy of the seasons and the relationship of nature with the sky, sun and universe.
Museum of the Moon
Feb. 7 – Feb. 14 | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Prepare to be moonstruck at the Garden for a limited time only. Museum of the Moon by UK artist Luke Jerram inspires awe with a 23-foot diameter glowing moon that provides detailed views of the lunar surface fused with a stellar soundtrack by composer Dan Jones.
Children and Family Pop-Ups
Feb. 7-14 | 10:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Enjoy hands-on activity stations that are out of this world! Designed for children of all ages and the young at heart, under the unique backdrop of the Museum of the Moon.
Museum of the Moon Related Experiences
All dates, locations and programs are subject to change.
Moon Soundings Gong Meditation
Feb. 7, 9 9-10:30 a.m. Members $32.95 | General Admission $36.95
Bathe in the astral sounds of gongs, singing bowls, flutes, drums and other etheric instruments while you experience the magic of the Museum of the Moon. In this sound meditation experience, Hamid Jabbar will weave a tapestry of sound that takes participants into a state of deep meditation and contemplation, as the moon is used as an object of meditation and intention. No experience is necessary, but participants will be laying down or seated for the duration of the class, so it is recommended to bring your own equipment, like a yoga mat, meditation cushion or a blanket. The class is held outside, please dress accordingly.
Museum of the Moon Night Photography
Feb. 7, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Members $52.95 | General Admission $56.95
Learn how to capture the grandiose beauty of the Museum of the Moon at the Garden at night. From wide angles to close-up shots, this photography class is open to students of all levels. Please bring your own camera equipment.
Bar Flies: Under the Moon
Feb. 8 | Doors open at 6:30 p.m., event starts at 7 p.m. | Members $32.95 | General Admission $36.95
Come for the true stories, stay for the drinks. Eleven local storytellers will share lunar-inspired tales in the Garden debut of this popular series held underneath Museum of the Moon. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll howl.
Lunar Aroma Yoga
Feb. 8, 10 & 13 9-10:30 a.m. Members $32.95 | General Admission $36.95
Explore how the moon can influence wellness and stimulate your senses in this special limited-time yoga class! Interact with essential oils and its internal energy centers while you harness the power of the moon and enjoy a complimentary cup of herbal tea. Students of all levels are invited to bring their own yoga equipment. Instructed by Sheree DeClemente.
Family Night
Feb. 10 | 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Nighttime viewing of the Museum of the Moon promises to be an experience like no other! Come and connect with astronomical experts to learn more about our closest neighbor, the moon. Complimentary telescope viewing stations will also be available.
Museum of the Moon Watercolor Class
Feb. 11| 10 a.m.-noon| Members $72.95 | General Admission $76.95
Experience a one-of-a-kind watercolor painting experience that explores the basics of watercolor and how to paint the moon in the desert. Use the Moon as your muse, as you sit outdoors surrounded by nature and listening to ballads inspired by the glow and beauty of our favorite satellite. All skill levels are welcome and encouraged. Classes will be outdoors, please dress accordingly for weather. Instructed by Rachel Eskandari of Pink Puddle Studio.
Couple’s Collage Night with Cut + Paste Phoenix
Feb. 11| 7-10 p.m
Create personalized collages with your significant other for a romantic evening under the night sky. Grab a glass of wine, a glue stick and get your creativity flowing with local art collaborative Cut + Paste PHX, using the Moon and romance as your inspiration
Majestic Mariposas
Mar. 4 – May. 13 | 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Families can get an up-close and unforgettable experience when thousands native Southwestern butterflies return for the Spring Butterfly Exhibit. Get acquainted with thousands of butterflies, observe each stage of their life cycle and learn what actions we can take to protect them.
Cactus Clubhouse
Now – Mar. 18 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Desert Botanical Garden invites kids to engage with the outdoors around them at Cactus Clubhouse–a nature play space. The play area provides unstructured, child-led activities for kids under 12 to discover the fun of the natural world.
Additional Cactus Kids Club programming takes place Friday – Sunday, and is designed for children and their caregivers. Hands-on activities at 10 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Cactus Clubhouse and other Garden locations.
Events
Lotería Nights
Jan. 12, Feb. 16, Mar. 16, Apr. 13 | 7 – 9:30 p.m. | $24.95 Members | $29.95 General Admission
Don’t miss the exclusive opportunity to play the iconic Mexican lotería game on a Desert Botanical Board tabla created by Garden graphic designers! Win fun prizes, including a Garden membership, plants and special items. Enjoy an evening with rounds of lotería, cerveza, food y más! Guests must be 21 or older.
Dog Days at the Garden
Select Saturdays, Jan. 14 – May 27 | 8 – 11 a.m. | Included with Garden admission or membership.
Last dog admissions: 10:30-11 a.m. timeslot.
Bring your furry friend to Dog Days at the Garden for the “ultimutt” nature experience. Explore the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and stroll the Garden’s five thematic trails Saturday mornings.
Music in the Garden
Select Fridays, Jan. 20 – May 26 | Doors open at 6 p.m., concert starts at 7 p.m. | Members $32.95 | General Admission $36.95
Spring into the season with an exciting lineup of artists at Music in the Garden. Join us Fridays for a night filled with music, memories and a full Sonoran Desert experience. Guests must be 21 or older.
- Jan. 20 – Zazu West | Django Reinhardt-style jazz
- Jan. 27 – Outside the Line | Motown, Soul, Classic Rock and Pop
- Feb. 3 – The SunPunchers | Desert Roots and Americana
- Feb. 10 – Big Pete Pearson | Blues
- Feb. 17 – Carmela y Más | Latin jazz salsa
- Mar. 3 – The Fitzgeralds | Celtic fiddle and dance
- Mar. 10 – Kilted Spirit | Irish rock
- Mar. 17 – Marmalade Skies | Musical tribute to the Beatles
- Mar. 31 – The Fretless | Contemporary folk string quartet
- Apr. 7 – Traveler | Ethnic world fusion
- Apr. 14 – Alice Tatum | Album launch—contemporary, jazz, and originals
- May 5 – Bluesman Mike & The Blues Review Band | blues
- May 12 – R. Carlos Nakai, William Eaton & Will Clipman | Visionary world music
- May 19 – The Sahnas Brothers | Contemporary and Spanish guitar quartet
- May 26 – Pete Pancrazi Quartet | jazz standards and originals; jazz arrangements of pop songs and special musical guests
Corks & Cactus
Feb. 4 – 5 | 1 – 4:30 p.m. | Members $55 | General Admission $60 | VIP Members $75 | VIP General Admission $80
Sip, Savor and Shop! Enjoy an afternoon in the Garden at Corks & Cactus. Meet with wine representatives and enjoy samples of up to 40 different wines, purchase food pairings and shop our boutique wine sales all while soaking up the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.
New Limited VIP Option:
In addition to standard Corks & Cactus programming, VIPs will enjoy exclusive access to Kitchell Patio where they can discover what goes into the making-of and sample a curated selection of DAOU Vineyard wines. Also included are snacks, take-aways, and an additional discount on your purchase of 12 or more bottles of wine.
Desert Sol
Feb. 12 Bring on the Bowls with Desert Sol | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Included with Garden admission or membership
Before you lay down the snacks for the big game, stretch your legs at the Garden and contribute to a good cause by purchasing a handcrafted bowl from Tempe Empty Bowls. Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement by artists and craftspeople in communities around the world to raise money for food related charities to care for and feed the hungry in their communities. Enjoy other “bowl”-related activities from artist demos highlighting pottery, baskets and more!
Spring Plant Sale
March 16 Member Day, March 17-19 General Public, 7 a,.m. to 3 p.m.
Reservations in Feb.
Make your spring bloom with an extensive selection of desert plants, including cactus, agaves, succulents, trees and shrubs, at Spring Plant Sale. Garden horticulturalists will provide advice and help you select the best plants for your home garden or houseplants suitable for indoors.
SAVE THE DATE! Fund the Farm
Mar 24 | 6-9 p.m. | $100
On sale Jan. 13
Join us for a party with a purpose that celebrates Spaces of Opportunity, a 19-acre community farm providing healthy produce in south Phoenix. Come out to Desert Botanical Garden and enjoy special performances, delicious bites from local caterers, drinks, entertainment and find out how you can get involved at Spaces. All proceeds from the event help support Spaces of Opportunity.
WHERE: Desert Botanical Garden | 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
COST: $24.95 – 29.95 for adults and $14.95 – 16.95 for children (3-17)
Members and children under 2 | Free
TICKETS: Advanced ticket reservation required. Purchase tickets at dbg.org
About Desert Botanical Garden
An Arizona icon for nearly 85 years, Desert Botanical Garden is a living museum of more than 50,000 plants. Founded in 1939, the Garden is a premier institution focused on education, exhibition, research and conservation of desert plants of the world, with an emphasis on the Sonoran Desert. The Garden’s 140-acre site is distinguished by its robust collection of cactus and agave plants, as well as its scope and excellence of its programs in education, horticulture, plant research and conservation. Learn more at dbg.org.
