word komorebi describes the ephemeral beauty of sunlight as it filters through tree leaves.
The changing of seasons has always been one of the great joys of the Dallas Arboretum. Each season brings new colors, new experiences, and new reasons to return. This year, however, feels particularly special as we celebrate one remarkable chapter while preparing for several more.
As this issue reaches you, Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies is approaching its final weeks. What began as the largest Hunt Slonem exhibition ever presented in a public garden became one of the most talked-about cultural experiences in Dallas this year. Guests embraced the opportunity to experience contemporary art in conversation with the living landscape, returning throughout the season to see the installations in different light, weather, and bloom cycles. The exhibition demonstrated the powerful ways art and nature can come together to inspire wonder, curiosity, and connection, and it has established an exciting new benchmark for future exhibitions at the Arboretum.
As one season concludes, another begins. On September 19, Autumn at the Arboretum returns with Harvest Hues, a vibrant reimagining of the Pumpkin Village inspired by the worlds of art, color, pattern, and creativity. Built from more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash sourced from the Texas South Plains, this beloved tradition continues to evolve while remaining one of the most iconic fall experiences in the country. We look forward to welcoming families, photographers, members, and first-time visitors to experience the beauty and imagination that define Autumn at the Arboretum.
Looking ahead to the holidays, the season will offer an opportunity to celebrate a beloved tradition one final time. Holiday at the Arboretum will mark the farewell season of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Since its debut, the exhibition’s illuminated Victorian-style gazebos have delighted millions of guests and become part of countless family traditions. For many visitors, a holiday visit simply would not feel complete without seeing the beloved carol brought to life throughout the garden. As the structures reach the end of their mechanical lifespan after more than a decade of service, guests are invited to experience this extraordinary display one last time and celebrate its remarkable legacy. Members and guests are encouraged to plan ahead, as interest will be strong during this final season.
In this issue, you will discover stories that reflect the many ways the Arboretum serves our community, from inspiring educators and students through hands-on learning to preserving treasured landmarks and creating spaces where families gather, traditions are formed, and memories are made.
Thank you for being part of the Dallas Arboretum family. Your support allows us to continue growing, innovating, and creating experiences that connect people to nature, to one another, and to the beauty that surrounds us.
With gratitude,
Sabina H. Carr President/CEO
Sabina Carr stands amidst plantings of Gnome Pink Globe Amaranth and White Cloud Muhly Grass, beaded with morning dew in the Lay Family Garden.
Printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper stock, manufactured under sustainable practices. Certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, Green-e Certified, Green Seal™ Certified. ColorMark® Printing, Carrollton, Texas
ON THE COVER
HOW TO REACH THE DALLAS ARBORETUM
MAIL 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218
PHONE 214.515.6615
EMAIL info@dallasarboretum.org
HOW TO SUPPORT THE DALLAS ARBORETUM
Dallas Arboretum is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that receives support from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Scan this QR code to learn more.
DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
Supported in part by:
The setting sun casts a glow over guests walking toward Blush in the Garden, by Hunt Slonem in the Margaret Elizabeth Jonsson Color Garden.
Foreground: Globe Amaranth / Gomphrena globosa
Background: Red Leaf Hibiscus / Hibiscus acetosella
Lyda Bunker Hunt Paseo de Flores
A GARDEN REIMAGINED: Reflecting on Hunt Slonem at the Dallas Arboretum
NATURE RX: Recharge in the Garden
42 48 52
LOOKING AHEAD:
A Preview of Holiday at the Arboretum 2027
GROWING EDUCATORS, INSPIRING STUDENTS: Investing in the Future through Educational Outreach
THE DEGOLYER HOUSE: Preserving a Legacy
COMING UP THIS SEASON
8 CONNECT WITH FALL EVENINGS A T THE ARBORETUM
10 EVENTS CALENDAR
FROM FIELD TO FESTIVAL: Autumn at the Arboretum
HOLIDAY AT NIGHT: Celebrating Twelve Years of the Twelve Days of Christmas 54 58 60 28 34
TWO NEW GARDENS:
Mother Daughter Water Garden: Harmony Flowing and the Burgess Family Serenity Garden
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
Kevin W. Jones & Simon Aisthorpe
HOST YOUR HOLIDAY:
The Arboretum is the Perfect Venue for Your Holiday Event
62 SPONSORS & DONORS
Connect With Fall EVENINGS AT THE ARBORETUM
As the sun sets over White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum takes on a special kind of magic. Cooler temperatures, golden autumn light, and beautifully illuminated paths invite guests to experience the garden in a different way.
This season, the Arboretum comes alive after hours with twilight strolls, live concerts, pumpkin-filled evenings, and sparkling holiday lights, offering memorable opportunities to gather with family and friends.
TWILIGHT NIGHTS
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
THURSDAYS–SUNDAYS | 5PM-9PM
( excluding SEPTEMBER 17, 24)
These relaxed evenings offer a beautiful opportunity to stroll the garden as the colors of autumn deepen into sunset. Curated playlists, live DJ sets, specialty food and drinks, and the Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies exhibition through September 30 create a vibrant atmosphere where guests can linger, explore, and enjoy the Arboretum at a slower pace.
PUMPKINS & PINTS EVERY FRIDAY IN OCTOBER 6PM-9PM
Surrounded by the Arboretum’s iconic pumpkin displays, guests can raise a glass to the weekend. It’s the perfect way to gather with friends, experience the creativity of Autumn at the Arboretum: Harvest Hues and enjoy one of Dallas’s favorite fall traditions.
Pumpkins & Pints in the Pumpkin Village.
Photo credit: Reeves Eddins
Mother and son walk past Fluffle by Hunt Slonem in the Jonsson Color Garden during Twilight Nights.
HOLIDAY AT NIGHT
MEMBER PREVIEW: NOVEMBER 10
OPEN NIGHTLY: NOVEMBER 11–JANUARY 3 | 5PM-9PM
As the season turns toward winter, Holiday at Night brings a sparkling close to the year. Guests can experience the iconic Twelve Days of Christmas in its final season, stroll through the charming Christmas Village, marvel at the festive décor throughout the historic DeGolyer House, and discover the return of the Arboretum’s collaboration with AURORA.
Seasonal music and memorable photo opportunities make this one of Dallas’s most beloved holiday traditions.
COOL THURSDAYS CONCERT SERIES
Bring a blanket, settle in on the lawn, and enjoy unforgettable music under the open sky. Pre-order food options and on-site beer and wine sales make planning a Thursday evening outing easy.
SEPTEMBER 17
Turnstiles: The Ultimate Tribute to the Music of Billy Joel
SEPTEMBER 24
Dancing Dream ABBA Tribute
OCTOBER 1
Infinite Journey: The Music of Journey
OCTOBER 8 - NEW Life in Technicolor: A Tribute to Coldplay
OCTOBER 15
Greggie and the Jets, an Elton John Tribute
OCTOBER 22 - NEW RED: A Taylor Swift cover band
OCTOBER 29
Bee Gees Gold The Tribute
NOVEMBER 5
Emerald City
PURCHASE TICKETS:
Guests fill the lawn for a Cool Thursdays Concert.
Young visitors take a closer look at one of the Twelve Days of Christmas gazebos.
EVENTS CALENDAR
EXHIBITIONS, FESTIVALS & HOLIDAY
Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies
LAST DAY TO VISIT
SEPTEMBER 30
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
STUDIO SUNDAY
SUNDAYS THRU SEPT 27
10am–1pm
MEADOWS CLASSROOM
Create your own works of art inspired by Hunt Slonem.
DALLAS COLLEGE COOKS
MONDAYS AUG-NOV
11am–12pm
A TASTEFUL PLACE
Dish demonstrations with Chef Daniel Alvarenga.
MOMMY + ME MONDAYS and TINY TOT TUESDAYS
SEPT 21-NOV 17, 10am- 2pm
CHILDREN’S ADVENTURE GARDEN
For children up to age 5.
Gather in the garden for hands-on STEM activities full of playful movement.
Mommy + Me Mondays feature naturethemed puppet shows and build early learning skills. Tiny Tot Tuesdays feature interactive Storytime with the Dallas Public Library and activities that support early literacy.
Autumn at the Arboretum: Harvest Hues
SEPTEMBER 19 - NOVEMBER 1
AUGUST
PEPPERPALOOZA
AUG 8-9, 9am–3pm
A TASTEFUL PLACE
A celebration of peppers in every form with seasonal demos, garden-inspired fun, and plenty of heat.
CHEF DINNER
AUG 12, 6pm–9pm
A TASTEFUL PLACE
Asian Fusion 5-Course Dining Feast: Embrace the richness of late summer through a five course dining experience.
SEPTEMBER
LABOR DAY
FAMILY FUN
SEPT 5-7, 9am–5pm
Three days of activities to close out summer and kick off the school year.
HISPANIC HERITAGE
SEPT 12
10am–3pm and 6pm-10pm
Honoring the culture and heritage of the Hispanic community.
AUTUMN AT THE ARBORETUM
SEPT 18, 6pm–9pm
PUMPKIN VILLAGE
Member Preview: Be among the first to experience Autumn at the Arboretum: Harvest Hues.
JAVA FEST
SEPT 26-27, 9am–3pm
A TASTEFUL PLACE
Brews, bites, and botanical delights in celebration of National Coffee Day.
CHEF DINNER
SEPT 30, 6pm–9pm
A TASTEFUL PLACE
Hispanic Heritage Celebration:
A five-course culinary journey honoring the traditions and diverse flavors of Hispanic Heritage.
Holiday at the Arboretum
NOVEMBER 11 - JANUARY 3
OCTOBER
PUMPKINS & PINTS EVERY FRIDAY
6pm–9pm
PUMPKIN VILLAGE
Craft beer, live music, and autumn nights.
FAMILY FUN WEEKEND
OCT 9-11, 9am-5pm
C elebrate the harvest season with hands-on activities, natureinspired art projects, and animals at the petting zoo.
NOVEMBER
VETERANS DAY FAMILY WEEKEND
NOV 7-8, 9am–5pm
Two days of family-friendly activities.
HOLIDAY AT THE ARBORETUM
NOV 10, 6pm–10pm
Member Preview: Kick off the holiday season with the opening night of Holiday at the Arboretum.
FOR FULL EVENT DETAILS AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS, VISIT:
PUMPKIN SHOW & SALE
OCT 16-18, 10am–3pm
PUMPKIN VILLAGE
View inspiring displays and shop a curated selection of heirloom squash and rare pumpkins.
PUMPKINS AFTER HOURS
OCT 20, 5pm–8pm
PUMPKIN VILLAGE
Sensory-friendly after-hours.
BOO-TANICAL TRICK OR TREAT
OCT 30-31 , 5:30pm–8pm RORY MEYERS CHILDREN’S ADVENTURE GARDEN
Members-only trick-or-treating and fall fun throughout the Children’s Adventure Garden.
CHEF DINNER
NOV 18, 6pm–9pm A TASTEFUL PLACE
Friendsgiving: A five- course celebration of the season featuring classic comfort dishes reimagined with seasonal ingredients and a creative touch.
THANKSGIVING FAMILY FUN WEEKEND
NOV 27-29 , 9am–5pm
Open Thanksgiving Day.
Celebrate the holiday with three days of family-friendly activities.
A GARDEN REIMAGINED
Forget Me Not , by artist Hunt Slonem, at sunset overlooking White Rock Lake. A Woman’s Garden
For more than five months, Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies turned the Dallas Arboretum into something the city had not seen before at this scale: an immersive open-air gallery where contemporary art and the living garden engaged in a constant conversation.
What opened April 20 as the largest Hunt Slonem exhibition ever held in a public garden became one of the most talked-about cultural experiences in Dallas this year. The exhibition attracted guests from across the region to experience the Arboretum’s sixty-six acres through a new lens of color, reflection, and scale.
Few exhibitions grow beyond their projected scope. This one did. Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies was planned to open with twenty-five installations. As the installation progressed, the team at Idlewild Studios offered another piece and then another, ultimately bringing the outdoor count to thirty-seven installations as Hunt Slonem’s studio responded to the energy building around the show. Inside the historic Alex Camp House, more than 100 additional works filled the gallery from day one, offering a more intimate look at Slonem’s paintings alongside the monumental sculptures outside.
Dallas Arboretum visitors admire Hunt Slonem sculpture, Passing Through State II in Red Maple Rill.
Art can feel distant or unapproachable, and I want to dissolve that barrier entirely.” “
-HUNT SLONEM
The Fluffle , a sculptural installation comprised of eleven mosaic bunnies—each standing at ten feet tall—rests amidst summer blooms. Margaret Elizabeth Jonsson Color Garden
A child admires the Hunt Slonem sculpture, Ascension I. Richard L. Grand Octagonal Fountain
“Hunt Slonem’s work brings a sense of energy and movement that feels uniquely suited to the garden,” said Sabina Carr, President/CEO of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. “By the time the exhibition closes on September 30, that energy will have grown well beyond opening weekend, with members, guests, and fans returning multiple times to experience the installations across changing seasons and conditions.”
Slonem has spoken about wanting his work to feel open and welcoming. “Art can feel distant or unapproachable, and I want to dissolve that barrier entirely,” he told NBC DFW. For an institution such as the Dallas Arboretum that has long made horticulture accessible to a broad public, this pairing made sense.
The sculptures asked nothing of visitors except attention. Monumental sculptures of bunnies, birds, and butterflies emerged among seasonal blooms. Mirrored surfaces caught shifting daylight. Familiar pathways became moments of discovery.
Extended hours during Twilight Nights accentuated this experience as the setting sun shifted light across the garden. From May 1 through September 27, at least three nights a week from 6pm to 9 pm, visitors and members arrived for specialty cocktails, tasty bites, and live music, creating a different rhythm from daytime visits. Fading
light caught reflective surfaces as color deepened against the evening sky. For many guests, it was their first time seeing the Arboretum at dusk.
The exhibition also marked a new chapter for the institution. For decades, the Arboretum has been one of the country’s leading public gardens. This year, it became something more: a cultural destination where internationally recognized contemporary art and the living landscape met in dynamic dialogue. By featuring Slonem’s work—represented in more than 250 museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution—the exhibition expanded the Arboretum’s role as a place where art, nature, and community converge.
The impact of Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies remains as colorful and indelible as Hunt Slonem’s sculptures themselves. Visitors of all ages carried their memories home, sharing them widely and making it one of the most talked-about exhibitions in the Arboretum’s history. More importantly, it expanded perceptions of what a public garden can be when art, horticulture, and imagination come together at this scale. In doing so, it established a new benchmark for future exhibitions at the Dallas Arboretum and reinforced the garden’s growing role as a destination for world-class art experiences.
EXPERIENCE HUNT SLONEM: BUNNIES,
TOP RIGHT: Toco Toucan, Hunt Slonem
Lyda Bunker Hunt Paseo de Flores Children’s Adventure Garden Extension
recharge in the garden
Nature RX
TOBIE SMITH
Shakespeare, Gary Lee Price DeGolyer Garden
At the Dallas Arboretum, wellness begins with a simple invitation: step outside, take a deep breath, and reconnect with nature. As summer gives way to fall, the garden offers countless ways to recharge, whether through an early morning walk, a shaded moment by the water, playful movement with little ones, or a quiet indoor retreat after exploring the grounds.
Visitors stroll peacefully along the path at Red Maple Rill.
Start Early, Stay Cool
One of the best ways to experience the garden during warmer months is to arrive early. Members-only morning hours from 7am-9am offer a peaceful opportunity to stroll the grounds before the day heats up, with cooler temperatures, softer light, and more room to move at your own pace.
Beginning with public hours, guests can also take advantage of the parking garage to help keep vehicles cool before entering the garden through the colorful tunnel mural by local artist AlliK, which offers a vibrant gateway to a day of exploration and discovery.
Guests admire Hunt Slonem, Water Wings State II in the Lay Family Garden.
Find Shade, Water, and Cool Spaces
Throughout the garden, shady spaces and cooling features make it easy to linger and enjoy the landscape. Palmer Fern Dell offers deep shade and refreshing fog misters, while Jeanne’s Pavilion and Three Sisters Overlook at A Tasteful Place provide comfortable places to pause beneath overhead fans.
Visitors gather in the shade of Three Sisters Overlook and under the pavilion at A Tasteful Place.
In the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, families can find relief from the heat while they play. Interactive water features, including the pop jets in the entry plaza, The Mushroom Patch, and Turtle Creek in First Adventure, are complemented by more than 8,000 square feet of cooling mist. Water refill stations, shaded gazebos with fans, misting dragons, and the air-conditioned Exploration Center help children and caregivers stay comfortable throughout the day.
A family pauses for lunch in the shade of the Exploration Pavilion in the Rory Meyers Children’s Garden.
Children splash at the entrance to the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden.
Step Inside
After exploring the garden, the experience continues indoors. Savor lunch at Restaurant DeGolyer, featuring an updated, locally sourced menu served in the dining room or beneath the loggia overlooking White Rock Lake.
Guests may also tour the historic DeGolyer House daily from 10am to 2pm or explore the Hunt Slonem Gallery at the Camp House, open Monday through Wednesday from 10am to 2pm. Together, these spaces show that the restorative power of the Arboretum extends indoors as well as throughout the garden.
Hunt Slonem painting, Mott Mott , on display along with small sculpture and Hunt Slonem wallpaper in the Alex Camp House Salon.
The entrance to Restaurant DeGolyer. Open daily from 11am-3pm
Move, Play & Grow
For the Arboretum’s youngest guests, wellness often begins with movement. When Mommy and Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays return to the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden in September, Mini-Movement will invite children to stretch, balance, climb, and explore within the playful setting of First Adventure. Through obstacle play, movement activities, and nature-inspired discovery, little ones build confidence while strengthening gross and fine motor skills, body awareness, and early connections to the natural world.
These benefits are supported by a growing body of research. “Playing outdoors, in places like the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, is important for child development,” says Sarah Coles, Executive Director of the Texas Children in Nature Network. “Our bodies evolved to run, jump, climb; giving children the ability to do that in nature helps develop their skeletal-muscular system, their sense of balance and perception, and so much more.”
Adults can also find opportunities for movement and mindfulness throughout the garden. Magnolia Glade and Nancy’s Knoll, overlooking White Rock Lake, are favorite locations for personal yoga, meditation, journaling, or even a spontaneous dance party.
THIS PAGE: A guest dances to live music as the sun sets in the Lay Family Garden.
Children are free to explore in the natural Habitats area of the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden.
OPPOSITE: A young boy tests his balance in the First Adventure Garden.
Our bodies evolved to run, jump, climb; giving children the ability to do that in nature helps develop their skeletalmuscular system, their sense of balance and perception, and so much more.”
Sarah Coles Executive Director of the Texas Children in Nature Network
Your Nature RX
The prescription is simple: make time for nature. Whether it’s a morning walk, a shaded break by the water, an afternoon of family exploration, a peaceful moment beneath the trees, or time spent indoors enjoying art, history, or a meal, the Dallas Arboretum offers countless opportunities to refresh the body, restore the mind, and reconnect with what matters most—one visit at a time.
from to FIELD
MEGAN PROSKA
ABOVE: Pumpkins are grown and harvested by the family-owned farm, Pumpkin Pyle, in Floydada, Texas.
Photos courtesy of Pumpkin Pyle.
Dallas Arboretum visitors are greeted by one of the most recognizable seasonal displays in Texas. Over 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash transform the garden into a vibrant celebration of autumn, creating the beloved Pumpkin Village, presented by Oncor. While guests marvel at the finished display, few realize the months of planning, growing, harvesting, and installation required to bring Autumn at the Arboretum to life.
FESTIVAL
Upon arriving in Dallas, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes become the Pumpkin Village, marking the beginning of Autumn at the Arboretum.
Photo credits: Brady Witcher, Reeves Eddins
Over forty varieties of pumpkins, gourds, and squash are attached to the walls of the Pumpkin Village huts in a kaleidoscope of autumn hues.
Photo credit: Reeves Eddins
Akey part of the story begins more than 300 miles west of Dallas in Floydada, Texas, known as the Pumpkin Capital of Texas. Since 2012, the Arboretum has partnered with Pumpkin Pyle, a family-owned farming operation in Floydada, to supply the pumpkins, gourds, and squash that have become synonymous with the Arboretum’s fall festival.
The relationship began as the Arboretum sought a reliable source capable of providing the volume, quality, and diversity needed for its expanding autumn displays. Over the years, that partnership has grown into an annual tradition, with Pumpkin Pyle providing the foundation for one of the nation’s premier pumpkin festivals.
Growing pumpkins on a large scale is a year-round commitment. Planning for the fall harvest begins months before visitors ever step foot in the Pumpkin Village. Seeds are typically planted in late spring after the danger of frost has passed. Throughout the summer, fields are carefully managed through irrigation, fertilization, weed control, and pest monitoring to ensure healthy crops. Texas weather can present significant challenges, from intense heat and drought conditions to hailstorms and heavy rains, making each harvest season unique.
By late summer, the pumpkins begin reaching maturity. Timing is critical, as the crop must be harvested when each fruit has developed its characteristic color
and hardened rind while still maintaining quality for transport and display. Harvest crews collect the pumpkins by hand, sorting them by size, shape, and variety. The diversity is remarkable, ranging from traditional orange jack-o’-lantern pumpkins to colorful heirloom varieties, ornamental gourds, warty pumpkins, and uniquely shaped squash that provide texture and visual interest throughout the festival. Beyond producing the tremendous volume required for Autumn at the Arboretum, Pumpkin Pyle continually searches for new and unusual varieties. Their willingness to trial distinctive pumpkins, gourds, and squash helps ensure that each year’s display offers visitors something unexpected to discover.
The scale of the operation is impressive. Approximately 630 bins of pumpkins, gourds, and squash make the annual journey from Floydada to Dallas aboard fifteen eighteen-wheeler trucks. Coordinating the harvest, loading, transport, and delivery of such a large volume of material requires careful planning and timing.
Once the trucks begin arriving at the Arboretum, the transformation happens quickly. Despite months of planning and an entire growing season behind the harvest, the Arboretum’s horticulture team has only two weeks to unload, sort, stage, and install the harvest of pumpkins, gourds, and squash throughout the garden. Every pumpkin is carefully placed as the Pumpkin Village takes shape, and the annual festival’s theme comes to life before the first guests arrive.
The result is an immersive fall experience unlike any other. In recent years, Autumn at the Arboretum has featured more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from across Texas and beyond. The display has become one of the Arboretum’s signature events and a hallmark of the fall season in Dallas.
LEFT: The Arboretum horticulture team brings Autumn at the Arboretum to life.
Photo credit: Brady Witcher
RIGHT: Mother and daughter share smiles in the Pumpkin Village.
Photo credit: Reeves Eddins
HARVEST HUES
PUMPKIN VILLAGE
The theme for this year’s Pumpkin Village brings a bold new artistic lens to the beloved autumn tradition, transforming the space into a vibrant celebration of color, pattern, and imagination.
Inspired by the expressive energy of internationallyrenowned modern masters of the twentieth century such as Piet Mondriaan, Lee Krasner, and Jackson Pollock, along with contemporary artists like Beatriz Milhazes, the display reimagines the familiar sights of autumn through the language of art.
This year’s presentation invites guests to experience pumpkins, gourds, flowers, and fall textures in unexpected ways. The exhibit will blend familiar autumn abundance with playful references to modern and contemporary art, creating a world that feels festive and freshly reimagined. Members will be among the first to discover how color, shape, rhythm, and creative storytelling come together across the garden in a display designed to surprise, delight, and inspire repeat visits throughout the season.
What makes the festival particularly special is the partnership behind it. The collaboration between Pumpkin Pyle and the Dallas Arboretum connects Texas agriculture with horticultural artistry. A crop that begins growing in the rich soils of the South Plains ultimately becomes part of a world-class botanical display on the shores of White Rock Lake.
For more than a decade, this partnership has helped create lasting memories for millions of visitors. As guests stroll through Pumpkin Village each autumn, they experience the culmination of months of work by farmers, truck drivers, designers, and horticulturists working together to celebrate the beauty and spirit of the harvest season.
Designer renderings of several Harvest Hues huts planned for the Pumpkin Village, inspired by the art of (clockwise from top): Louise Bourgeois, Piet Mondriaan, Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock.
Visitors gaze upon the Four Calling Birds gazebo during Holiday at the Arboretum.
Holiday at Night
CELEBRATING TWELVE YEARS OF THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS:
ONE FINAL CHORUS
HOLIDAY
A FOND FAREWELL TO A ONE-OF-A-KIND VISION THAT TRANSFORMED HOW DALLAS CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS
DAVE FOREHAND and TOBIE SMITH
The story began in 2012 following the tremendous success of the Arboretum’s internationally acclaimed Chihuly exhibition. The event demonstrated that large-scale outdoor installations could attract visitors from across the region and inspire entirely new ways to experience the garden.
Lights twinkle around the Twelve Drummers Drumming gazebo.
After Chihuly, Arboretum leadership began discussing what might become the next signature outdoor attraction. The answer came from longtime supporters and donors Phyllis and Tom McCasland.
Phyllis believed Dallas deserved a spectacular holiday experience that would enchant families during the day and sparkle after dark. Inspired by the beloved English carol, she envisioned a series of elaborate displays depicting each verse of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Her husband Tom provided the seed funding necessary to turn the dream into reality. When the McCaslands presented the idea to the Arboretum, the potential was recognized immediately. Tommy Bourgeois, renowned production designer for The Dallas Opera, was enlisted to bring the concept to life. Bourgeois developed the initial creative vision and partnered with Greg Blackburn and his team at Dallas Stage Scenery to execute the massive undertaking.
What followed was nearly two years of design, engineering, fabrication, and artistry that would ultimately create one of the most recognizable holiday attractions in Texas. When the exhibit debuted in 2014, Dallas had never seen anything quite like it. By day, visitors could appreciate the extraordinary craftsmanship and detail. By night, the illuminated gazebos glowed throughout the garden, creating a magical experience that quickly became a holiday tradition for families across North Texas.
Guests pause to observe the many details in the Nine Ladies Dancing gazebo.
Partridge in a Pear Tree gazebo at dusk.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MAGIC
While guests experience the wonder of Holiday at the Arboretum each year, few see the extraordinary effort required to bring it to life. Beginning in August, a dedicated crew of off-duty Dallas firefighters begins transforming the garden for the holiday season. Long before the first guests arrive, these skilled professionals oversee the transportation, assembly, and installation of the Twelve Days of Christmas gazebos and the Neuhoff Family Christmas Village.
The components of the display travel from an off-site storage facility operated by off-duty Dallas firefighters, arriving at the garden in roughly forty crates and dozens of pallets. Using specialized equipment and years of experience, the crew carefully reconstructs each gazebo piece by piece. Having assembled the displays season after season, they possess an unmatched understanding of every beam, brace, and bolt.
Their work continues well into October, culminating in the holiday wonderland guests experience each year. The Dallas Arboretum is proud to recognize these firefighters not only for their craftsmanship and dedication, but also for the partnership that has helped make Holiday at the Arboretum possible for more than a decade.
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS WILL OPEN FOR ITS FINAL YEAR ON NOVEMBER 11 AND RUN THROUGH JANUARY 3, 2027.
Off-duty Dallas firefighters install the extensive Twelve Days of Christma s exhibit annually.
Photo credit: Kris Brockhagen
LOOKING AHEAD
HYBYCOZO’S larger-than-life geometric structures encapsulate light of every hue, casting radical shadows across the landscape and transforming the surrounding environment into a fully immersive sensory experience.
Imagery from Dimensions, an original artwork owned and commissioned by Sensorio.
TOBIE SMITH
As one beloved chapter concludes, another begins. Opening in November 2027 with an extended run through February 2028, the Arboretum welcomes
The Art of HYBYCOZO,
a luminous outdoor exhibition unlike anything previously presented in the garden.
HYBYCOZO
PRONOUNCED HIB-E-CO-ZO
Created by artists Serge Beaulieu and Yelena Filipchuk, HYBYCOZO’s larger-than-life geometric sculptures transform light, shadow, pattern, and space into immersive moments of discovery.
Designed specifically for the Dallas Arboretum, this one-time engagement will be the largest HYBYCOZO exhibition ever produced. Throughout the garden, guests will encounter monumental, illuminated forms inspired by mathematics, science, nature, and global traditions of patternmaking, creating a dazzling nighttime journey for families, art lovers, and holiday visitors alike.
As the Dallas Arboretum celebrates the final season of the Twelve Days of Christmas, it also looks forward to a new era of holiday experiences. Together, these moments reflect what has always made Holiday at the Arboretum so special: a commitment to imagination, artistry, and creating unforgettable memories for generations of guests.
Artist duo Serge Beaulieu and Yelena Filipchuk
Imagery from Dimensions, an original artwork owned and commissioned by Sensorio.
Coleus / Solenostemon scutellarioides
DeGolyer House
GROWING EDUCATORS
SELENA WILSON
INSPIRING STUDENTS
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is more than a destination for student field trips. It is an outdoor classroom where educators deepen their own knowledge, explore innovative teaching strategies, and experience science learning firsthand alongside their students.
Through professional learning workshops, curriculum resources, and immersive educational experiences, the Arboretum supports teachers by modeling hands-on lessons and activities that connect directly to classroom instruction. Whether exploring monarch migration, hydroponics, citizen science, or nature-based wellness, educators leave with practical strategies they can immediately apply in their schools.
To ensure programming reflects current research and best practices, the Arboretum’s education team participates in professional conferences, including the annual National Science Teaching Association conference, and draws from leading publications, such as Science and Children, when developing curriculum resources and teacher workshops. These experiences help bring current science pedagogy to local educators in accessible and meaningful ways.
LEFT: Teachers try their hands at science enrichment activities during a lesson guided by the Dallas Arboretum Education team.
Attending professional development at the Dallas Arboretum on monarchs and hydroponics expanded my ability to provide hands-on, inquirybased STEM experiences for students. The training deepened my understanding of environmental science, sustainability, and plant systems while providing engaging strategies that support crosscurricular learning, student collaboration, and TEKS-aligned scientific investigation.
- Nikki Hoye
K–5 Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) teacher
To learn more about educational programs and professional learning opportunities through the Dallas Arboretum, visit:
Teachers expand their lesson plans with professional development courses at the Dallas Arboretum.
UPCOMING EDUCATOR OPPORTUNITIES
CITIZEN SCIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM:
Real Science, Real Students, Real Impact
On October 24, educators can participate in this workshop which connects teachers and students to ongoing scientific research projects through authentic data collection and inquiry-based learning.
FRESH AIR & FOCUSED MINDS:
Nature-Based
Wellness Strategies for Teachers and Students
This spring, the Arboretum will offer a workshop exploring the connections between nature, wellness, and social-emotional learning. Participants will leave with practical, classroom-ready strategies for incorporating mindfulness, outdoor exploration, and nature-based learning into everyday instruction.
LEARNING VOYAGES
When teachers visit the garden with their students, they become learners too. During the past semester, more than 10,000 Dallas Independent School District fourth-grade students visited the Arboretum through the Learning Voyages initiative, accompanied by their teachers and school staff. Supported by Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Learning Voyages is part of a larger K–8 educational pathway that provides students with multiple immersive learning experiences throughout their academic journey.
The goal is to spark curiosity and wonder in students and to help teachers discover new ways to connect real-world science experiences to classroom learning. By engaging directly with nature, inquiry, and hands-on exploration, educators gain renewed inspiration and practical ideas they can bring back to their classrooms.
GARDEN ON THE GO
The Arboretum also supports educators through its Garden on the Go outreach program. In a field-test study in which Dallas Arboretum educators taught six outreach lessons in school classrooms, 81% of participating teachers reported increased confidence in teaching science concepts as a result of the program.
SEPTEMBER 24 5PM–7:30PM and SEPTEMBER 26 9AM–1PM
Educators interested in learning more are invited to attend the Arboretum’s annual Educator Open House.
The free event offers an opportunity to explore educational programs, meet the education team, and discover new ways to bring outdoor learning into the classroom throughout the year.
Children observe insects in the garden during a lesson on arthropods.
DEGOLYER HOUSE THE
PRESERVING A LEGACY
Nestled along the eastern shore of White Rock Lake, the DeGolyer House is one of Dallas’s most treasured historic landmarks. Today, the DeGolyer House serves as a centerpiece of the Arboretum’s 66-acre campus. Listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Texas Register of Historic Places, it welcomes guests for educational programs, private events, community gatherings, and seasonal celebrations.
A ROOF IN NEED OF RESTORATION
In the spring of 2024, high winds brought down a large red oak tree onto the DeGolyer House, causing substantial damage to its historic roof. The incident accelerated an already pressing need: the roof, original to the estate’s 1940 construction, had reached the end of its serviceable life. Restoring it to full integrity requires authentic Ludowici clay tile, handcrafted in Logan, Ohio since 1888 and widely regarded as the gold standard for historic restoration, to preserve the architectural authenticity of this storied landmark.
A Request for Proposals is currently in development to identify a qualified contractor. Thanks to a generous anonymous philanthropic commitment, the project is partially funded, and the Dallas Arboretum is actively pursuing additional support to close the funding gap. Restoring this iconic roofline will ensure the DeGolyer House endures as a living landmark for generations to come.
To help preserve this legacy, visit:
DeGolyer House: The 21,000-square-foot Spanish Colonial Revival house was designed by architect Burton Schutt and completed in 1940 for renowned petroleum geologist Everette Lee DeGolyer and his wife, Nell.
TWO NEW GARDENS BLOOM WITHIN
A Woman’s Garden
AUSTIN LONGACRE
With a dedication planned for October 21, the new Mother Daughter Water Garden: Harmony Flowing is a tribute born of love, memory, and connection. Inspired by the vision of Patty Dedman Nail, the garden honors her mother, the late Nancy Dedman, whose generosity, leadership, and civic engagement left a lasting mark on Dallas and on the Dallas Arboretum.
Made possible through the generosity of the Dedman Dietz Family Foundation, the Patricia Dedman Family Foundation, and Patricia Dedman Nail, the garden transforms a deeply personal family story into a place of reflection for all who visit. Located within A Woman’s Garden, the space celebrates the enduring bond between mothers and daughters while creating a landscape that invites contemplation, renewal, and connection.
Close up of the bronze sculpture, Nude , by Joseph Rosenthal. Donated to the Arboretum in 1996 by Doris and Kirt Anton.
A Woman’s Garden
MOTHER DAUGHTER WATER GARDEN:
The garden’s guiding theme is harmony through connection. Water serves as both a design element and a metaphor, linking spaces, shaping movement, and inviting moments of reflection along the way. At the garden’s highest point, water emerges from a crescent-shaped water wall before flowing beneath the entrance pathway, creating a quiet sense of passage and discovery. The water’s journey continues to the tranquil Millhouse Pond before connecting
with the Arboretum’s beloved Rockery water feature. Plantings throughout the garden support the water’s message of growth, love, and continuity, together creating a setting that feels both restorative and timeless. More than a new landscape, the Mother Daughter Water Garden: Harmony Flowing is a living tribute; a place where memories are honored, relationships are celebrated, and new traditions take root.
WATER MOVES, connects, and endures, JUST AS THE BOND BETWEEN a mother and daughter does.”
— PATTY DEDMAN NAIL
Tucked within A Woman’s Garden, the Burgess Family Serenity Garden offers a sanctuary for reflection, conversation, and quiet connection. Made possible through the generosity of Glenn and Pier Burgess, the garden was created with a singular purpose: to provide a peaceful retreat where visitors can pause, reconnect, and find comfort in the beauty of the natural world.
The garden is defined by two distinctive features that shape both its character and purpose. A Moon Gate portal welcomes guests into the space, its circular form symbolizing wholeness, passage, and transition. Crossing through it signals entry into
A Place Apart
a place intentionally set apart from the pace and distractions of daily life. Beyond the portal, an elegant Conversation Circle provides a gathering place for friends, families, and loved ones. Here, visitors are invited to share stories, exchange ideas, celebrate milestones, or simply enjoy one another’s company in a setting designed to encourage presence and connection.
Whether experienced alone or shared with others, the Burgess Family Serenity Garden offers a reminder that some of life’s most meaningful moments are found not in activity, but in stillness.
DESIGNED BY WARREN HILL JOHNSON Fall Creek Gardens
“This is a garden that does not call for your attention. It earns it — quietly, and with grace.”
-PIER BURGESS
Together, the Mother Daughter Water Garden: Harmony Flowing and the Burgess Family Serenity Garden mark the next chapter of A Woman’s Garden. Made possible through visionary philanthropy and thoughtful design, these new spaces honor the garden’s enduring legacy of celebrating women, cherishing relationships, and creating meaningful places for reflection, connection, and inspiration.
PAUL HAMMOND-DAVIES
Members Kevin and Simon laugh together on a walk through Red Maple Rill.
Since becoming Sustaining members in 2018, Kevin W. Jones and Simon Aisthorpe have made the Dallas Arboretum a regular part of their lives. Whether attending Cool Thursdays Concerts, exploring seasonal festivals, or gathering inspiration for their own landscape, they appreciate the many ways the garden offers beauty, discovery, and connection throughout the year. The Dallas Arboretum recently sat down with Kevin and Simon to learn more about their favorite memories and what membership means to them.
DA: Have you brought other friends and family to the Arboretum through your membership?
K&S: Absolutely. We love introducing people to the garden. Cool Thursdays is always a favorite. We recently attended the Queen Tribute concert with friends and enjoyed an amazing picnic, along with some incredible wine.
DA: If you were recommending membership to a friend, what would you tell them?
DALLAS ARBORETUM:
You have been members since 2018. What are some of your favorite Arboretum memories?
KEVIN AND SIMON: One of our absolute favorites was the Chihuly exhibition (2012). My parents came up from Beaumont, and we planned their trip around it. It was such a joy for them to experience its beauty and for us to show off the Arboretum, since it was their first visit.
We also have fond memories of seeing young women taking Quinceañera photos throughout the garden. Their dresses are always beautiful, and it represents such a happy milestone in their lives. Seeing them always makes us smile.
DA: Do you have a favorite part of the garden?
K&S: Every time we visit, it’s somewhere different depending on the season. We’re both strong advocates for using native Texas plants in landscaping, so one of our favorite things is seeing how the Arboretum incorporates native plants into its overall design. It always gives us ideas and inspiration for projects in our own yard.
DA: As Sustaining members, which benefit do you value most?
K&S: Complimentary event tickets, so we can bring friends along to share the experience.
A close second is complimentary parking. It’s so seamless now that everything is tied to your license plate.
DA: Which seasonal festivals or programs have you enjoyed most?
K&S: Without a doubt, walking through the garden on a crisp December day with a hot chocolate or coffee is one of our favorite ways to get into the holiday spirit. The windier and colder, the better.
K&S: Cool Thursdays Concerts without a doubt. The atmosphere is fantastic, the music is always terrific, and we love the people-watching. We’d also highlight the sheer variety of events throughout the year. There truly is something for everyone. If you’re ever wondering what to do in Dallas, check to see what’s happening at the Arboretum. There’s always something worth experiencing.
Host yourHoliday
AT THE ARBORETUM
MAUREEN GUTIERREZ
Looking for a corporate event or holiday party venue with an unforgettable wow factor? Celebrate the season at the Dallas Arboretum and treat your guests to one of Dallas’s most magical holiday experiences. With more than one million dazzling lights, beautifully decorated historic homes, the beloved Christmas Village, and festive entertainment throughout the garden, the Arboretum provides a spectacular setting for gatherings of every size.
The Arboretum’s Europeaninspired Christmas Village features charming holiday shops, a traditional German Christmas Pyramid, festive entertainment, and the enchanting Victorian-style gazebos of the iconic Twelve Days of Christmas
display. Combined with breathtaking garden views and built-in holiday programming, these attractions create a turnkey experience that guests will remember long after the season ends.
As a special benefit, active members at the Family, Sustaining, Patron, Friends, and Caroline Rose Hunt Society levels receive 15% off venue rental fees for qualifying corporate events and holiday parties.
Whether you’re planning an intimate executive reception, employee appreciation event, client celebration, or large-scale corporate gathering, the Arboretum offers four distinctive indoor event spaces, as well as opportunities for full-garden buyouts across its sixty-six acres.
Beginning November 11, HOLIDAY AT THE ARBORETUM IS OPEN NIGHTLY from 6pm to 9 pm
ABOVE: Trees lining the Lyda Bunker Hunt Paseo de Flores sparkle with lights.
ENHANCE YOUR EVENT:
- Corporate group ticket packages
- Concierge ticket sales services for employees and clients
- Flexible indoor and outdoor venue options
To learn more about corporate rentals, holiday parties, group ticket sales, and concierge services:
To reserve an event space, please contact the Sales Team at privateevents@dallasarboretum.org.
Christmas Village, Holiday at Night.
A holiday-themed projection lights up the Alex Camp House during Holidays at the Arboretum.
Thank You
SPONSORS & DONORS
Donations and sponsorships are meaningful ways to maintain the Dallas Arboretum and promote research and education. The Dallas Arboretum extends its gratitude to these generous sponsors for supporting its mission to be a garden for all.
This listing represents annual gifts and sponsorship contributions over $2,000 from January 1, 2026 - April 30, 2026.
