Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Week-Long Celebration

DATE: Nov. 11-17
TIME: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
PRICE: Included with Membership or General Admission

Your visit during this event will also include access to Light Bloom throughout the Garden.

Celebration Nov. 11-17  | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Come explore The Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert trail with hands-on discovery stations, engage with Indigenous makers and vendors and experience a special activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Festival Weekend Nov. 16-17 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Celebrate Arizona’s Native American communities at the Garden with storytelling, music, dance and culture. Visit with artisans from local tribes as they demonstrate basket weaving, pottery, etching and more. Some artists will have their artworks for sale during this special weekend.

Discovery Stations
Discovery Stations will be featured throughout the trail to help visitors understand some of the most important plants utilized by people in the Sonoran Desert, both in the past and today. Learn about the various ways that desert flora is used for food, shelter, tools, fabric dyes and more.  Agave, mesquite, yucca, prickly pear and saguaro will all be highlighted at these hands-on stations.
Dates: Nov. 11-15 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Nov. 16-17 | 10 a.m – 4 p.m.

Cochineal Concoctions 
Saguaro Harvesting Ramada
What is cochineal? Cochineal are insects that produce a vibrant red dye that indigenous cultures have been harvesting for millennia. Drop by to learn about these unique insects and create a bookmark with natural cochineal dye!
Dates: Nov. 12 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Nov. 16-17 | 10 a.m – 4 p.m.

Complimentary American Indian Adult and Child admission (with Tribal ID or CIB) granted onsite at the Admissions booth. 

Trail Vendors Nov. 11-17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Festival Weekend Schedule:

Saturday, Nov. 16

Sunset Plaza
Cody Blackbird Trio, Nammy award winner |10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Chi’Chino Spirit | 12 – 2 p.m.
Gertie & The TO Boyz | 2 – 4 p.m.

Food available to purchase from The Frybread Lounge.

Ullman Terrance
Aarick Mack, traditional singing | 10 – 11 a.m.
Yellow Bird Apache Dancers – dancing, storytelling and flute | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ottosen Entry Garden
Madeline Gishey, Fancy Shawl Dancer | 10 – 11:15 a.m.
Javier Reyes, Traditional Dancer | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Center for Desert Living Trail
Cooking Demos and cookbook signing by The Fancy Navajo – Alana Yazzie
Demos run every 30 minutes between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 17

Sunset Plaza
Neon Nativez | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Red Mountain Creation Dancers | 12 – 2 p.m.
Gertie & The TO Boyz | 2 – 4 p.m.

Food available to purchase from The Frybread Lounge.

Ullman Terrace
Gila River Traditional Singers | 10- 11 a.m.
Yellow Bird Apache Dancers – dancing, storytelling and flute | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ottosen Entry Garden
Aaron White | 10 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Center for Desert Living Trail
The Frybread Lounge Cooking Demos

Sunset Plaza
Festival Weekend Artisans and Vendors:
Navajo Mike – Hot Sauce and Frybread Mix
Art by Anissa – Jewelry and Clothing
Shima of Navajoland – Soap of the Earth
Zachary Chee Emerson – Watercolor
Paul Molina – Graffiti art and Prints
Cody Blackbird Band – Band merchandise
Gregory Hill – Kachinas
Native Art Market – Native art collective with a variety of items
Deon Mitchell – Paintings and wearable art
Sage Lady Trading Co. – Candles, Apparel, Bags

All programming and vendors are subject to change. Event rain or shine.

Additional events at the Garden include:

Desert Sol – Nov. 12
Music in the Garden – Nov. 15