Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Celebration

DATE: Nov. 10-16 | Festival Weekend Nov. 15-16
TIME: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
PRICE: Included with Membership or General Admission | Complimentary American Indian Adult and Child admission (with Tribal ID or CIB) granted onsite at the Admissions booth.

Admission to this experience includes full access to FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse.

Join the Garden in celebrating Arizona’s Native American communities with storytelling, music, dance and culture. Enjoy special activities on the Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Trail all week long that culminate in a vibrant Gardenwide festival at the weekend.

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

Celebration Nov. 10-16  | 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. 15-16 | 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. See scheduling below.

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.

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

Clubhouse Activities Schedule
Join us at the Clubhouse for engaging, hands-on activities for kids and families during the festival! Enjoy open play hours alongside themed crafts and learning opportunities inspired by Indigenous traditions.

Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Community Day
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
🎨 Activity: Themed coloring sheets inspired by Indigenous culture
A relaxed day of play and creativity for all ages

Saturday, Nov. 15
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
🌱 Activity: Three Sisters Seed Collage Craft
Learn about companion gardening and the agricultural wisdom of the Three Sisters (corn, beans and squash)

Sunday, Nov. 16
9 a.m – 3 p.m.
🌱 Activity: Three Sisters Seed Collage Craft
Continue exploring companion gardening and Indigenous agricultural practices

Vendor Applications are Open!
Applications are now open for vendors to participate in this year’s Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Festival at Desert Botanical Garden. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31st. Priority will be given to vendors who can attend both festival dates and offer items related to or inspired by Native American Culture.

Generously Supported By:

Presenting Sponsor

Sustaining Sponsor

Festival weekend is supported in part by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona.