2026
The Garden Has A New Look And Feel This Year. More Color. More Programming. More Reasons To Visit Often.
Return of the
OUTDOOR
SEASON The wait is over. For the first time, the Garden is shaping a full year of fresh experiences inspired by the changing rhythms of the desert. Each season brings something new to explore, while celebrating the traditions our community already loves. Fall is where this new adventure begins. As the heat fades and evenings stretch longer, a series of vibrant festivals and experiences await as we celebrate the return to the outdoors. You’ll soon discover that the Garden isn’t simply a place to visit. It’s a place to belong, explore and experience all year long.
And fall is only the beginning.
The Garden is
BLOOMING BIG This fall, step into a world of giant flowers, vibrant colors and larger-than-life imagination. Super Bloom by Graphic Rewilding invites visitors to get outdoors and connect with nature in a big way. Step inside glass houses radiating color and light, sit among flower clouds surrounded by desert blooms and find your center in a magical, night-blooming garden. This playful and engaging exhibition provides an artistic view of Desert Botanical Garden’s trails and plant collections, promotes wellness through nature and inspires visitors of all ages to explore the beauty and colors of desert plants with abandon.
Graphic Rewilding
Graphic Rewilding
OCT.
9-11
Save the Date: Members Opening Weekend Oct. 9-11
Join us throughout opening weekend of Super Bloom for hospitality, giveaways and more!
20 Vibrant Experiences Await 7•
Flower cloud benches
5•
Glowing glass houses
4•
Flag corridors
2•
Blooming bridges
1•
Shining chandelier
1•
Night-blooming garden in The RAF Exhibit Gallery
ABOUT THE ARTISTS Graphic Rewilding, founded by creative duo Catherine Borowski and Lee Baker, are on a mission to transform urban public spaces with their vast, nature-inspired, immersive art. “A glimpse of a flower can brighten someone’s day. We find that floral imagery has the potential to bridge divides and really bring people together.” — Graphic Rewilding
Graham Fudger
With more than 20 larger-than-life art installations across the Garden, Super Bloom creates an immersive journey for visitors that can be experienced both day and night.
Get back outside with
FALL EXPERIENCES Everyday Experiences
Fall Butterflies
Garden After Dark
Fall Decor
Sept. 26 – Nov. 22
Oct. 1 – Nov. 15
Oct. 1 – Nov. 15
Your Week
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Uncorked Mondays: Sips, Strolls & Sounds
Tacos & Tequila in the Garden
Dog Nights in the Garden
Sunset Socials: Create, Play & Dance
Music in the Garden Trailside Tunes Music in the Garden Concert Series
Saturdays Dog Days in the Garden Music in the Garden Trailside Tunes
Educational Experiences Music in the Garden Trailside Tunes Live music every Friday & Saturday. Three locations throughout the Garden. Wander, discover, stay awhile all at your leisure.
Concert Series
Desert Views: A Conversation Series Oct. 28
Infinite Sums: Math in Bloom Presents Fibonacci Day Nov. 23
Select Fridays. Limited capacity. Reserved seating. Curated performers. Desert setting. This is the Premium/VIP ticketed experience.
Weekend Festivals Spirit Walk (21+) Oct. 22
Strange Garden Family Weekend Oct. 23-24
Howl-ween Oct. 31
Great Fall Kickoff Oct. 9-18
Strange Garden Oct. 22-31
Día de Muertos
Chiles & Chocolate
Nov. 6-9
Nov. 13-15
50th Anniversary Plant Sale | Oct. 22-26 50 Years. 5 Days. One Extraordinary Plant Sale. Timed for Arizona’s fall planting season, this will be the Garden’s one and only Plant Sale of the year—and the best opportunity to refresh your landscape with desert-adapted plants selected for lasting success.
Members Day Oct. 22 7–10 a.m. | NEW! Member VIP Shopping Experience | $29.95 Your VIP Ticket Includes: • First access to the Plant Sale from 7–10 a.m. • Entry to the exclusive Plant Sale Lounge with complimentary refreshments. • Live demonstrations from Garden horticulture experts. • Access to the Horticulture Design & Plant Care Hub. • A limited-edition 50th anniversary bandana and sticker.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Members Day | Free for Members No reservations required.
Learn more at dbg.org
Discover
FALL LEARNING Cooler days and golden desert evenings create the perfect setting to discover something new. Whether you’re interested in photography, gardening, culinary arts, wellness or creative expression, this season’s Adult Education lineup offers inspiring ways to deepen your connection to the Sonoran Desert and to one another.
Choose Your Fall Adventure: For Photographers
For Wellness Seekers
Capturing Autumn in Arizona (DSLR or Smartphone) Oct. 1 Prepare to capture fall colors in Arizona. We will cover top locations, timing, suggestions for camera settings both auto and manual to produce more powerful images.
Sunset Sound Meditation Oct. 6, 20, 27 | Nov. 3, 17, 24 Ease into your morning with a restorative sound meditation. Let the soothing melodies of singing bowls and gongs transport you to a state of pure relaxation, meditation and renewed well-being.
Sunrise Sanctuary: Yoga Flow in the Super Bloom Exhibit Space Oct. 16, 23, 30 | Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27 Begin your morning surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Super Bloom, where dreamy night-blooming flowers create a serene, immersive setting.
For Plant Lovers Butterfly Gardening in the Desert Nov. 4 In this engaging class, learn how to design a desert landscape that attracts and supports butterflies year-round. Check out your Learn Catalogue or visit dbg.org/learn for all your fall class options.
The Best Fall Family Adventures at the Garden Crisp mornings, colorful desert blooms and plenty of room to roam, fall is one of the best times for families to explore the Garden. Here are four adventures your family won’t want to miss this season:
Cactus Clubhouse
Storytime
Oct. 10 – Dec. 3
Oct. 16, 17, 30, 31 | Nov. 20, 21
Climb, build, create and imagine at the Garden’s nature play space. From hands-on activities to open-ended exploration, it’s a favorite stop for curious kids.
Spark your child’s love for nature with engaging stories, songs and hands-on activities. Designed for children five and under and their caregivers.
The Great Arizona Puppet Theater Nov. 11 Enjoy the show Jack Rabbit and the Desert Tortoise, a humorous version of Aesop’s “Tortoise and the Hare” fable.
Become A Desert Guardian Pick up a copy of the Garden’s own superhero story, and complete an exciting desert mission with your family. Plus, keep an eye out for at home missions this fall.
SAVOR THE
FLAVORS OF FALL A New Season of Garden dining options by Tarbell’s As the desert comes alive with fall, so does Gertrude’s. The new fall menu celebrates the flavors of the Southwest with fresh, seasonal ingredients, comforting favorites and creative new dishes inspired by Arizona’s harvest.
New! Weekend brunch starting Oct. 3
Welcome Quail House Coffee & Creamery The Garden will welcome a new food and beverage destination this fall with the opening of Quail House Coffee & Creamery! In partnership with Mark Tarbell, Quail House will feature coffee, tea, gelato and grab-andgo bites in a stunning setting. Check back later this year for the full menu and official opening.
Introducing Garden Grab & Go Need a quick bite? Patio Café has been reimagined as Garden Grab & Go, making it easier than ever to enjoy fresh, convenient meals while spending the day in the Garden. Choose from fresh salads, sandwiches and crunchy tacos, all designed for guests who want a delicious meal without missing a moment of the Garden experience. Open daily starting Sept. 24
Mark Tarbell serves as Executive Chef for all Garden dining establishments.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
BEHIND THE TRAILS Tracking Saguaros
Planting Orchids Back in the Wild
In collaboration with the South Mountain Preserve, Garden researchers are monitoring how saguaros respond to weather events. The study tracks photosynthetic efficiency and plant water volume, to better understand both their resilience and potential environmental thresholds. Their findings will help identify where and when newly planted saguaros are most likely to survive, ensuring conservation efforts are impactful.
The Garden has been working with the Canelo Hills ladies’ tresses orchid, one of the most endangered orchid in the U.S., for 15 years. This year, after successfully producing seedlings from wild-collected seeds, Garden researchers planted more than 350 orchids back in their wild habitats, doubling the current population.
Rescuing Poached Cactus
Monarch and Pollinator Conservation
In 2023, the Garden received a confiscated shipment of 500 poached Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanu, a rare cactus prized by illegal collectors. When the plants arrived, they were stressed and in poor condition. Today, thanks to the care of the Garden’s research and horticulture teams, they are thriving and blooming.
This year, the Garden celebrates 10 years of monarch and pollinator conservation via our Great Milkweed Grow Out initiative. As part of this work, Garden staff have developed a propagation program for native milkweeds and other plants to support pollinators. Plants are donated to local groups for restoration or sold at the Plant Sale and Garden Shop, and also support Garden pollinator research.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Phoenix, AZ Permit no. 1269
1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008 480.941.1225 | dbg.org
Save the Date! Member On Sale Oct. 1.
LUMINARIAS D E S E R T B O TA N I C A L G A R D E N Presented by
Select from 26 Twinkling Nights! Nov. 27 – Jan. 3 | Select Nights
ee hr T ply Sim
A beloved tradition returns ... bigger, brighter and more vibrant than ever. Experience more nights, more music and more twinkle as the Garden transforms into a dazzling holiday escape filled with thousands of glowing luminarias, radiant light displays, expanded live entertainment and festive moments around every Garden corner. Members receive early access beginning Oct. 1 before tickets become available to the public.
See you this winter.