DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN ANNOUNCES 85TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON
January 23, 2024Programming includes a special admission rate in February, monthly thematic programs, a gin collection and the opening of a new plaza.
Phoenix, Arizona – Desert Botanical Garden is celebrating its 85th anniversary with a special anniversary celebration, a year-long schedule of monthly thematic programs, exclusive membership offers and so much more.
The February celebration includes:
Feb. 10 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Enjoy complimentary cactu-shaped cookies, hands-on nature play activities, musical performances, behind-the-scenes tours and more. Plus, pups can join the pawty from 8-11 a.m. and receive a Garden designed bandana.
Feb. 10-11 | All Day
Enjoy a special rate of $85 on select Garden membership on Feb. 11. Treat yourself or a friend or family member to a membership to access the Garden all year long.
Feb. 12 | All Day
Join us for our official anniversary and enjoy $8.50 admission to explore the Garden’s trails and current exhibit Fernando Botero: El Maestro.
In addition, the Garden will embark on a year-long celebration through February 2025 with monthly thematic programming, an historic anniversary logo, a commemorative gin collection in partnership with SanTan Spirits available for purchase starting Feb. 10, as well as the opening of the new Christensen Family Desert Oasis later next year. The remodeled site, in between the Sybil B. Harrington Cactus and Succulent Galleries, will include a new bridge, a calming water feature, shade trees and displays of seasonal plants.
“We are excited to present a season-long celebration of our world-class botanical garden that showcases our remarkable history, unforgettable horticultural beauty, research and conservation work, as well as a look into our next 85 year,” says Garden Executive Director Ken Schutz.
Here are the highlights of the Garden’s 85th anniversary season.
March 2024 | Final chance to experience Fernando Botero: El Maestro.
April 2024 | Music in the Garden turns 35 with a special concert lineup.
May 2024 | Celebrate National Cactus Day and participate in the Saguaro Census.
June 2024 | Enjoy the Garden after dark at Flashlight Nights.
July/August 2024 | Get behind-the-scenes with hardhat tours of new Research Center .
September 2024 | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month & Fall Programming.
October 2024 | Celebrate Monarchs in the Fall Butterfly exhibit.
November 2024 | Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Celebration.
December 2024 | Celebrate Las Noches de las Luminarias with a new holiday light experience.
January 2025 | Celebrate a new year with a commitment to conservation.
In the 1930s, a small group of passionate local citizens saw the need to conserve the beautiful desert environment. One was Swedish botanist Gustaf Starck, who found like-minded residents by posting a sign that read “Save the Desert” with an arrow pointing to his home. With the support of social influencers of the time such as Gertrude Divine Webster, the Garden was founded. Today, the Garden sits on 140 acres and has more than 50,000 plants on display, most of them in the cactus and agave families. The collection includes nearly 500 rare, threatened or endangered plant species from the world’s deserts.
Thanks to leadership and investments from many individuals, the Garden has blossomed from a dream into a living museum, unlike any other. The Garden has grown during its history into a compelling attraction and desert conservation pioneer.
WHEN: Feb. 2024- Jan. 2025
WHERE: Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
INFO: For more information, call 480.941.1225 or visit www.dbg.org.
About Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden has five thematic trails filled with 50,000 plants that connect visitors to the wonders of desert plants of the world, with an emphasis on the Sonoran Desert. For 85 years, the Garden has been a pioneer in conservation and research, as well as world-class exhibitions, vibrant events and festivals, learning experiences for all ages, and so much more. For more information, visit us at dbg.org.
