DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN ANNOUNCES ITS 85TH ANNIVERSARY AS PART OF ITS SPRING 2024 SEASON
January 9, 2024Phoenix, Arizona — Desert Botanical Garden is gearing up to celebrate its 85th anniversary in February along with a year-long schedule of monthly thematic programs and a stellar spring lineup of experiences. In addition, spring will mark the closing of Fernando Botero: El Maestro on March 31. General admission tickets are now on sale through April 2024. Ticketed events will go on sale Dec. 8.
Exhibitions
Included with membership or Garden admission
Fernando Botero: El Maestro
Now – March 31 | 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Last chance to experience the paintings, drawings and monumental sculptures celebrating the visionary Colombian artist, Fernando Botero. As a poet of daily life in Latin America and a pioneer of figurative art, Botero created art for more than 60 years, in a unique, sumptuous style that is immediately recognizable and known as “Boterismo”. Experience the Maestro’s artistic creations in the Garden and in Dorrance Hall, with an expanded gallery space that takes an intimate look at his influences, motivations and working methods.
Majestic Mariposas
March 2 – May 12 | 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Don’t miss this living exhibit that features more than a thousand free-flying Southwestern butterflies. Get an up close and personal experience with these winged beauties, learn about each stage of their life cycle and discover what actions we can take to protect them.
Cactus Clubhouse
January through May Thursdays through Sundays | Included with membership or Garden admission
Join the fun and explore, play and discover at the Cactus Clubhouse for kids 12 and younger. Enjoy hands-on nature play and instructor-led activities at 10 am on Saturday and Sundays
Events
Dog Days at the Garden
Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17; March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 27 | 8-11 a.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Enjoy a paw-fect spring day with your four-legged friend on the Garden’s trails, filled with photo- ops and tail-wagging fun.
Desert Sol
Jan. 9, Feb. 11, March 29, April 13 | Included with membership or Garden admission
Immerse yourself in nature and the beauty of the garden through yoga, cooking demos, educational talks, world music and more.
Lotería Nights
Jan. 11, Feb. 8, March 14, Apr. 11 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Members: $29.95, General Admission: $34.95
Gather your amigos for rounds of lotería and a chance to win fun prizes. Enjoy food, drinks, música y más. Guests must be 21+ to attend.
Storytime
Jan. 12&26, Feb. 9&23, March 8&22, April 5&19 | 10-11a.m. Included with membership or Garden admission
Join Desert Botanical Garden for Storytime. Introduce your child to the beauty and wonder of nature through engaging books, songs, activities and play. Designed for children five and younger, as well as caretakers. Each session leads children through an immersive experience of nature learning in the Garden.
Read Between the Spines Author Series
Jan. 17, 5:30-7 p.m. and Jan.18, 9-10:30 a.m. | Members $9.95, General Admission $14.95
Dig into bestselling books with the author themselves. Join an informal and entertaining meet and greet with historian Victoria Johnson featuring her latest book, “American Eden”, a Pulitzer Prize in History finalist. Both the Wall Street Journal and Ron Chernow (author of “Alexander Hamilton”) have called the book “captivating.” Dive into the fascinating history of America’s first public botanical garden and stay for a meet-and-greet and book signing.
Music in the Garden
Jan. 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16; March 1, 8, 15, 29, April 5, 12, 26; May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 7-9 p.m. | Members $32.95, General Admission $36.95
For 35 years, the beauty of the Garden has been the best stage in town to experience local bands at this Friday-night concert series. Guests must be 21+ to attend.
85th Anniversary Celebration
Included with membership or General Admission
Feb. 10 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Enjoy complimentary cactus 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.
Plant Sale
March 14-17 | Free admission and reservations open Feb.9
Spring has sprung! Take home a variety of desert native plants, succulents, cactus and pollinator-friendly species with more than 30,000 plants to choose from. Free admission to shop!
Fund the Farm Celebration
March 22 | $100
Fund the Farm Celebration is a festive party helping grow Spaces of Opportunity! Enjoy local drinks and bites from some of the Valley’s best caterers and musical entertainment as you stroll the Garden’s trails.
Dinner on the Desert
April 20 | 6-10 p.m. | Tickets start at $750
Dinner on the Desert 2024 celebrates the Garden’s natural and iconic beauty during its 85th anniversary year. Event co-chairs, Ursula Gangadean and Edgardo Rivera, look forward to welcoming guests to a memorable evening, with friends, family and colleagues. With cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in hand, guests can bid on unique plants, pots and garden art, plus an array of exceptional and exciting experiences during the Garden’s signature in-person silent auction. The desert night sky and dramatic plant palette provides the perfect outdoor setting for a dinner that reflects the flavors of spring. A final farewell experience awaits guests, which promises to deliver a fun and flavorful departure.
Adult Education Classes
Take learning into your own hands and enjoy specialized one-time classes and class series located at Desert Botanical Garden. Get inspired and learn new skills through one of our programs in landscape and gardening, photography, art, cooking and wellness.
See classes here
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 connects 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 online at dbg.org.
