Experience Spring in Full Bloom at Desert Botanical Garden
November 21, 2024Phoenix, AZ –Desert Botanical Garden is gearing up for a spring in full bloom highlighted by its newest live floral exhibit Orchid Fever coming in March. Along with a season full of experiences for the whole family to enjoy. General admission tickets for January through May will go on sale Nov. 22 at dbg.org.
Exhibitions
Included with membership or Garden admission.
Orchid Fever
March 15 – May 11, 2025 | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
To celebrate the opening of the new Exhibit Gallery, the Garden presents its first-ever orchid exhibit, showcasing colorful blooms, delightful scents and wild textures that engage all the senses. Stroll through the gallery to explore rare and elegant plants artfully paired with cactus and succulents in a bold display completely unique to the Sonoran Desert.
Be enthralled by striking swathes of orchids in brilliant pinks, oranges, yellows and purples set in a lush desert oasis. Visitors of all ages will learn about Arizona’s endangered and rare orchids and the efforts Garden researchers are taking to preserve them. This lush collection is sure to leave visitors inspired and renewed.
LIGHT BLOOM
Now – Jan. 20, 2025 | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday to Sunday open until 9 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
LIGHT BLOOM by HYBYCOZO is a limited-time exhibit where nature and light converge. This mesmerizing display invites you to explore the Garden transformed by stunning geometric light installations that illuminate the beauty of the desert landscape in a new way. As the sun sets, LIGHT BLOOM comes to life, casting intricate shadows and vibrant hues across the Garden. Wander the trails and let the enchanting installations transport you to a magical realm where the natural world meets the abstract.
TOWARD 2050
Feb. 8 – June 1, 2025| 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Explore an engaging exhibit led by textile-based artist Ann Morton, centered on art, community and climate change. TOWARD 2050 invites the public to craft handmade artworks that express their views on the environment. These unique creations will come together in a captivating labyrinth installation at the Garden.
The Leaf Connection
Now – Aug. 25, 2025 | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
The Leaf Connection showcases the vibrant plant diversity of metro Phoenix through an intricate display of hand-made, ceramic leaves at Webster Center. During the course of the exhibit, local artist Mary Meyer will periodically add new ceramic leaves as more people contribute observations on iNaturalist. The Garden invites guests to engage with this distinctive art installation, offering a captivating opportunity to reconnect with nature. Exhibition unavailable during private events.
Spring Butterflies
March 1- May 11, 2025| 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Flutter with 1000+ butterflies this spring. Snap the perfect selfie with these winged wonders, discover fascinating facts about pollinators and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Garden.
Cactus Clubhouse
Now- May 11, 2025 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays | Included with membership or Garden admission
Explore, play and discover at the Cactus Clubhouse, located in the Weisz Learning Center. Children up to 12 and their caregivers will enjoy many activities while playing and connecting with nature.
Events
Dog Days at the Garden
Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25; Feb. 1, 8, 15; March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; April 5, 12, 19; May 3, 10| 8-11 a.m. May dates 7 -10 a.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Grab your pup and a leash and hit the trails Saturday mornings. Expect a day of nature-filled adventure and irresistible photo moments.
Seedlings
Jan. 8, 15, 22 & 29, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Members: $15 per class or $50 for all four sessions | General Public: $25 per class or $80 for all four sessions. Classes on sale Nov. 22.
Children 3-5 and caretakers experience the wonder of nature through hands-on lessons that teach kids and adults how to splash, dig, climb and explore together through nature play concepts.
Lotería Nights
Jan. 16; Feb. 13; March 13; April 10 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Doors at 7 p.m. | This event is 21+. No infants or children permitted. Tickets on sale Dec. 6
Join us for an epic lotería experience. Soak in the vibrant environment and claim amazing rewards as we play several rounds of the iconic Mexican game of chance.
Desert Sol
Jan 14; Feb. 9; March 31; April 22; May 13| Included with membership or Garden admission
Immerse yourself in the healing power of nature through a variety of cultural and restoring traditions from around the world.
Storytimes
Jan. 17, 18, 24, 26 Feb. 7, 9, 14, 16 March 7,9, 28, 30 April 4 & 6, 25 & 27 May 2 & 4, May 16 & 18| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Join Desert Botanical Garden for Storytime. Introduce your child five and younger to the beauty and wonder of nature through engaging books, songs, activities and play. Designed for children and caretakers, each session leads children through an immersive experience of nature learning in the Garden.
Music in the Garden
Jan. 24, 31; Feb. 7, 14, 28; March 7, 14, 28; April 4, 11, 18; May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | Doors at 6 p.m., Concert 7-9 p.m. | This event is 21+. No infants or children permitted | Members $32.95 General admission $36.95 | Tickets on sale Nov. 22
A perfect harmony of nature and music! Let the Garden be the backdrop for to some of the Valley’s finest best live performances. Grab a drink as you unwind under the stars for an evening of music and nature.
Read Between the Spines Author Series: “Sonoran Desert’s Got Magic!”
Jan. 29, 10 a.m. Members: $14.95 | General Public: $29.95 | Tickets on sale Nov. 22
Martha Hunter Henderson and Pam Hait co-authored “Sonoran Desert’s Got Magic!,” a new children’s book in celebration of the Garden’s 85th anniversary. Pam and Martha share their adventures of working together at Strategies—a strategic communications firm they have owned for more than 30 years—which led to their co-authoring this book. They provide insights about the process of writing children’s books for those who have their own stories to tell.
Vines & Finds
Feb. 15-16 | 12-4 p.m. | General Public: $45.95, Members $40.95
Enjoy a wine tasting experience featuring local and regional wines while strolling through the Garden’s trails. Sip and savor while you explore local artisans at an exclusive shopping event, offering handmade jewelry, clothes and other wares.
The Great Arizona Puppet Theater presents Creepy, Crawly, Wild and Wooly
Feb. 17 & May 11 | Reservations open Nov. 22 Complimentary with Garden admission or membership.
This award-winning show features stories about Arizona’s endangered species including the Arizona Ridge nosed Rattlesnake, the California Condor, Sanborn’s Long-nosed Bat and a desert tortoise. This show is recommended for guests 5+.
Centered A Storytelling Experience
Feb. 27 | $ 6:30-9:30 p.m. | $34.95 adults, $14.95 students and $85.95 for 4-pack | Dorrance Hall Tickets on sale Dec. 6
Desert Botanical Garden will host an evening celebrating the impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in shaping Black history and culture. This Black History Month event, organized by Centered PHX, will showcase authentic, personal stories from HBCU alumni and students, highlighting their resilience, growth and cultural pride.
Spring Plant Sale
March 13-16 | 7 a.m.-3 p.m., last entry at 2 p.m. | Free Admission. Reservations required. Reservations open Jan. 3 for Garden Members and Jan. 10 General Public
Bring the magic of the desert into your garden or green space. Explore our expansive collection of 30,000 desert-adapted plants at the Fall Plant Sale. Expert advice and a picturesque outdoor shopping experience await. Give your landscape a dreamy makeover this spring.
Spaces of Opportunity Day
March 21 |10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission
Spaces of Opportunity Farmers Market returns to the Garden! The daytime market will be held in Boppart Courtyard. Check out the produce, crafts and other items for sale. Learn more about Spaces of Opportunity, a community initiative supported by Desert Botanical Garden. Spaces’ mission is to enable all south Phoenix families to have affordable access to healthy food, active living and healthy roots of their cultures. Spaces is engineering a comprehensive, neighborhood-level food system where gardeners, farmers and farm workers are celebrated as artisans.
Fund the Farm Celebration
March 21 | 6-9 p.m. | $100 Tickets on sale Dec. 6. This is a 21+ event. No infants or children permitted.
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 enjoy musical entertainment as you stroll the Garden. Fund the Farm celebration is a 21+ event. No infants or children permitted.
Saguaro & Skate
April 5, 6, 12, 13 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. & 6-9 p.m. | Tickets on sale Jan. 3
Daytime prices:$29.95 per adult, $16.95 per child, $85.95 Family 4 pack, $10.95 per additional child | $14.95 per adult and $10.95 per child for members
Join us for the Saguaro & Skate Party! Get ready to lace up your skates and hit the rink on April 5-6 and 12-13 2025, for a fun pop-up skate party with Zoni Girls! Get ready to show off your moves on wheels! Whether you’re a seasoned skater or just starting this party is open to everyone in the family! This is a family-friendly event and families with 4 or more will receive a special daytime family package price. Enjoy the spring weather with family-friendly activities, a live DJ spinning the hottest tunes.
Must be Nighttime 6 – 9 p.m.
$34.95 general public, $16.95 members
Get your groove on in this outdoor roller disco for adult skate night! Join us for a 21+ roller-skating pop-up at the Garden on Saturday night. Enjoy sounds from a live DJ as you snap that perfect picture with your friends. The Glow in the Dark-themed skate night is for adults only. Enjoy drinks, food, and a live DJ all while you skate under the disco lights and night sky.
Read Between the Spines Author Series:
Orchid Muse, a History of Obsession in Fifteen Flowers – “Orchids and the Botany of Freedom”
April 12, 10 a.m. Members: $14.95 | General Public: $29.95. Tickets on sale Nov. 22
To compliment the Garden’s newest exhibit, Orchid Fever, Erica Hannickel (master gardener, nonfiction author and professor of history) will share a special talk about orchids and the role they have played inspiring freedom throughout history. This program focuses on several chapters of Hannickel’s book “Orchid Muse, a History of Obsession in Fifteen Flowers”. Edmund Albius (1829-1880), an enslaved child who first pollinated vanilla off the coast of Madagascar, and Charles Darwin’s second book, his “little book on orchids.” As a follow-up to “Origin of Species,” this orchid book scientifically investigated the flowers in new ways but surprisingly also advocated for the end to slavery in American and around the world. Following the talk, books will be available for purchase and author will be available to sign copies.
Mother’s Day
May 11 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Included with membership or Garden admission. Moms free with a paid admission, use promo code MOMS25
Celebrate the moms in your life with a botanical good time! The Garden will offer a day to remember with complimentary photo-ops, live entertainment, the Spring Butterfly Exhibit and more!
Adult Education Classes | Winter classes on sale now. Spring on sale Dec. 6.
Take learning into your own hands and enjoy specialized one-time classes 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.
WHERE: Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
INFO: For more information, call 480.941.1225 or visit 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.
