Events & Exhibitions
tours & activities | hold an event | music in the garden | avant-garden | national geographic live | chihuly | las noches de las luminarias | past exhibitions | dinner on the desert
Join us for the Valley's holiday event, Las Noches de las Luminarias, and see what we have planned for the 2012!
This winter at the Desert Botanical Garden an exhibition about design and sustainability will be on display in Dorrance Hall. The exhibit titled, Design for a Living World, connects the natural world around the globe with people, plants, and places.
Desert Botanical Garden celebrates its third year as a National Geographic Live Arizona Community Partner.
Renowned Phoenix-based architect Will Bruder will discuss how the desert has been a source of inspiration for his building projects. The lecture will be held at the Phoenix Art Museum
General $18.00
Member $12.00
Member $12.00
Get some ideas for Valentine’s Day with a spicy Mexican cooking demonstration by Chipotle followed by a flamenco dance performance.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Start the Valentine’s Day celebrations early! Be romanced by timeless classics performed by the charismatic Dennis Rowland.
February 14, 2012
Arizona Native Plant Society Meeting - Feb.
The Arizona Native Plant Society provides information, fosters appreciation of, and helps protect Arizona's native plants.
General $18.00
Member $12.00
Member $12.00
Celebrate the tradition of Carnaval with SambAZ Dancers and a captivating musical performance by Porangui and Zang.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Having studied flamenco guitar in Spain with some of the greatest performers of the era, Chris Burton Jácome returns with his ensemble to the Garden with a flawless and captivating flamenco performance.
February 21, 2012
Design for a Living World Speaker Series
Design for the New Sustainable Revolution
William McDonough is an internationally renowned designer and shaper of what he calls “the next industrial revolution.” In a talk at ASU’s Tempe campus, McDonough will discuss his co-authored book Cradle to Cradle...
General $18.00
Member $12.00
Member $12.00
Learn how to square dance lead by a real square dance caller followed by a nostalgic old time string band performance from Pick & Holler.
General $18.00
Member $14.00
Member $14.00
Nothing lights up a great night in the Garden like the glow of hot molten glass. Join glass art entertainers Joshua Dopp and Adam Frus for special night of glass blowing tricks.
The Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society encourages the appreciation, study and growing of cacti and other succulents.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Toes will be tapping and hands will be clapping as the Bad Cactus Brass Band turns the Garden into a New Orleans Second Line.
General $18.00
Member $12.00
Member $12.00
Discover the many uses and benefits of cocoa and then continue the feel good vibe with a Calypso performance by J.T.’s Island Steel.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Swing into Spring with the nostalgic tunes of The Swingtips. The Swingtips are celebrating their return to the Garden with the release of their highly-anticipated CD.
March 3, 2012 - May 13, 2012
Supported by The Fred Maytag Family Foundation
Spring Butterfly Exhibit
Take a stroll through the beautiful Marshall Butterfly Pavilion and surround yourself with hundreds of fluttering butterflies.
The Desert Botanical Garden and Scottsdale Artists League will co-sponsor their annual Spring Paint out.
Desert Botanical Garden celebrates its third year as a National Geographic Live Arizona Community Partner.
General $18.00
Member $12.00
Member $12.00
Experience the ancient cultures of Australia and the unique sounds of the didgeridoo.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Singing the blues is anything but a bad thing for The DelRayz. Drawing upon their past performances with Sistah Blue, this ensemble mixes blues standards with original tunes to have guests moving and grooving.
The Arizona Native Plant Society provides information, fosters appreciation of, and helps protect Arizona’s native plants.
Patrons Circle members are invited to this evening event, which includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, as well as an opportunity to shop for beautiful plants for your home garden.
General $18.00
Member $12.00
Member $12.00
The Phoenix Zoo brings an interactive exploration of animals from the Pacific Northwest followed by Native American music and dance.
The Desert Botanical Garden Plant Sale Festival is a one-stop extravaganza featuring the largest selection of arid-adapted plant material found anywhere in Arizona. We offer trees, shrubs, groundcover, herbs, perennials, cactus and succulents, for the beginner and the avid collector alike.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Enjoy country and bluegrass tunes performed by one of the most authentic Arizona cowboy bands in town.
Desert Botanical Garden celebrates its third year as a National Geographic Live Arizona Community Partner.
General $18.00
Member $12.00
Member $12.00
To wrap up the series, join DJ Miguel Ivery in celebrating world cultures through dance followed by the dynamic world music of Traveler.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
A graduate of Berklee School of Music, Pete Pancrazi blends original compositions and Latin jazz standards to create a unique and inviting atmosphere.
The Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society encourages the appreciation, study and growing of cacti and other succulents.
Patrons Circle members will enjoy an intimate and relaxing stroll through several exquisite private gardens. An optional lunch is available for purchase.
General $50.00
Member $45.00
Member $45.00
Celebrate the essence of the margarita and the spirit of the southwest at the 10th Annual Agave on the Rocks at the Desert Botanical Garden. Tickets purchased prior to March 9th are $10 off.
The Garden presents a showing of Oaxacan wood carving and Mata Ortiz pottery with hundreds of pieces in a variety of styles available for purchase.
During the final weekend of the 17th Annual Scottsdale Artists League Spring Paintout all of the artwork from the Paintout will be on display and for sale.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Phoenix legends and Garden favorite Big Nick and the Gila Monsters are back for another unforgettable performance.
The Arizona Native Plant Society provides information, fosters appreciation of, and helps protect Arizona’s native plants.
General $18.00
Member $12.00
Member $12.00
Follow the Colorado River’s path through the personal journeys of National Geographic writer/adventurer Jonathan Waterman and National Geographic photographer/ filmmaker Pete McBride as chronicled in their inspirational photo essay, The Colorado River, Flowing Through Conflict to understand this national treasure.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Be delighted by the powerful vocals and contagious charm of Dennis Rowland.
April 20, 2012 - April 22, 2012
Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale
Expect to see amazing, beautiful and bizarre examples of cacti and succulents as members of the Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society display potted specimens of desert plants from around the world.
April 20, 2012
Music in the Garden: Spring Concert Series
Special Engagement: Nature, Sounds, Silences: John Cage
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
In honor of John Cage’s centennial year, the Desert Botanical Garden is proud to collaborate with the ASU School of Music to bring a truly unique performance to Music in the Garden. Enjoy this special two part concert that begins...
April 28, 2012
Dinner on the Desert
Dinner on the Desert 2012 fuses the sights, sounds and flavors of the Americas. Your electric yet sophisticated evening begins in Ottosen Entry Garden with a quenching signature cocktail, gracious welcomes, and lively music.
Ballet Arizona, in collaboration with the Desert Botanical Garden, introduce: Topia, a world premiere production by Ib Andersen.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Quickly becoming a Garden favorite, Domingo DeGrazia returns with his impeccable guitar playing, enchanting violinist Beth Daunis and full band for another notable performance.
The Arizona Native Plant Society provides information, fosters appreciation of, and helps protect Arizona’s native plants.
Raise awareness of America's public gardens - admissions is free to the Garden and the Spring Butterfly Exhibit on National Public Gardens Day.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Combining interests from an extensive arts and entertainment background, Chele’ brings another seasoned and sultry performance to Music in the Garden.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Making their Music in the Garden debut, Pick & Holler reincarnates their influences of “old dead fiddlers and banjo pickers” to create a unique and enchanting old time string band performance.
The Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society encourages the appreciation, study and growing of cacti and other succulents.
May 24, 2012
Garden Members Annual Meeting
Please join us for the Garden Members Annual Meeting, which includes a business meeting and the recognition of retiring and introduction of new board members.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Having studied flamenco guitar in Spain with some of the greatest performers of the era, Chris Burton Jácome returns with his ensemble to the Garden with a flawless and captivating flamenco performance.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
The Shri Blues Band is excited to return to the Desert Botanical Garden and welcome new lead vocalist Kate Parker. This band of seven talented musicians brings a blend of blues and classic rock that “touches the whole person.”
June 8, 2012
Music in the Garden: Spring Concert Series
Crossing 32nd Street presents A Musical Tribute to The Who
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
After receiving multiple standing ovations in their performance honoring The Beatles, Crossing 32nd Street Music Ensemble returns to Desert Botanical Gardens to perform A Musical Tribute to The Who.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
After getting people to “move their bones” during the Día de los Muertos festival last fall, the Garden is excited to bring the energizing percussion and festive Brazilian atmosphere of Grupo Liberade to Music in the Garden.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
The Gardens’ favorite “Meat Shakin’ Blues Band” The Sugar Thieves return with their highly praised mix of sultry blues and powerful delta soul.
General $21.00
Member $15.00
Member $15.00
Get one last shot of cool before the hot summer months set in with Cold Shott and the Hurrican Horns mix of R&B, Blues, and Funk.
