Fall Ikebana Festival

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsGet TicketsThis event is included with Garden Admission Join us for a celebration of Japanese floral artistry in its most expressive form. Skilled ikebana artists will fill the garden’s paths with sculptural ar......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsGet TicketsThis event is included with Garden Admission Join us for a celebration of Japanese floral artistry in its most expressive form. Skilled ikebana artists will fill the garden’s paths with sculptural arrangements that echo the season’s quiet beauty, each display a meditation on balance, impermanence, and grace. Upcoming ClassesFamily, Special Garden Story TimeDecember 10 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsGet Tickets Thousands of LED lights illuminate the trees and custom-built, oversized structures delight the senses. The light tunnel, dancing cypress trees, traditional punched-tin trees, a brand-new crescent m......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsGet Tickets Thousands of LED lights illuminate the trees and custom-built, oversized structures delight the senses. The light tunnel, dancing cypress trees, traditional punched-tin trees, a brand-new crescent moon, and a dazzling display of luminarias will wow you! Experience a holiday light show unlike any other in southern Arizona! Upcoming ClassesFamily, Special Garden Story TimeDecember 10 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Book Signing with Kathy Lewis Sawyer

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and Signs iiwii stands for “it is what it is”, but also “is it what it is?” Does it mean that we should simply accept what is, or should we recognize when acceptance really is not enough—that we should do something to t......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and Signs iiwii stands for “it is what it is”, but also “is it what it is?” Does it mean that we should simply accept what is, or should we recognize when acceptance really is not enough—that we should do something to transform a no longer “acceptable” situation? Join author Kathy Lewis Sawyer for a short reading, discussion, and Q & A in the Legacy Gallery (by the Gift Shop).Books will be available for purchase at the Garden Gift Shop. Upcoming ClassesFamily, Special Garden Story TimeDecember 10 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Legacy Gallery

Garden Story Time

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsGarden AdmissionThis event is free with admission Join us for nature-themed stories, songs, puppets, and sensory activities!  Children of all ages are welcome, but the program is geared toward children aged 2 t......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsGarden AdmissionThis event is free with admission Join us for nature-themed stories, songs, puppets, and sensory activities!  Children of all ages are welcome, but the program is geared toward children aged 2 to 7 years old.   Garden Story Time will be held rain or shine, hot or cold. For location, check on arrival at the Gardens. Upcoming ClassesFamily, Special Garden Story TimeDecember 10 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Poinsettias in Watercolor

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member Learn to draw and paint beautiful poinsettias in watercolor.  Emphasis will be on drawing and painting skills and creating volume in our subject. No experience required.......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member Learn to draw and paint beautiful poinsettias in watercolor.  Emphasis will be on drawing and painting skills and creating volume in our subject. No experience required.  Supplies: Watercolor PaperLarge water containerA rag or paper towels140 lb watercolor paper2 Brushes, round 2 and 12Watercolor paletteI suggest you use professional grade paint. The student grade is less expensive, but the colors can vary. If you have a basic kit with 10 to 12 colors, that will work to start! Colors I Use: French UltramarineCobalt BIleCerulean BlueAlizarin CrimsonCadmium Red LightCadmium YellowCadmium Yellow DeepRaw Sienna and/or Yellow OchreBurnt Sienna Instructor Devon MeyerAs an artist, Devon is constantly inspired by nature. The elaborate patterns and gorgeous colors seen in plants, birds or flowers are reflected in the work she does. Watercolor is her favorite medium but she also works in oil, charcoal, pen and ink and colored pencil. Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesClasses, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Art Paper DahliasJanuary 12, 2026 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

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Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper Design

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$60 Non-Member / $48 Member Class Capacity 12 Let’s celebrate a wonderful Holiday at the end of this year by making a crepe paper Mistletoe ornament. You will learn how to create a simple bouquet wi......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$60 Non-Member / $48 Member Class Capacity 12 Let’s celebrate a wonderful Holiday at the end of this year by making a crepe paper Mistletoe ornament. You will learn how to create a simple bouquet with small green crepe paper leaves, white pearls, glue, and wire. Also, we are all going to learn and share about the story behind this amazing North American tradition. Instructor Sandy VillegasBorn in Puebla, Mexico, Sandy has always loved art making drawings and doodling when she got the chance. Her family moved to Sonora, Mexico and after a couple years she decided to come to the United States. She married a military man and while raising two children received an Associate Degree in Digital Arts. Some time passes before her daughter, Brittany, found an art project making paper flowers. Soon Sandy found herself making flowers and a business was born. Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesClasses, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Art Paper DahliasJanuary 12, 2026 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Education Building Classroom

Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member Ducks, geese, and swans are familiar birds around the world, plying waters from the Arctic Ocean to tropical forest and city parks. Waterfowl exhibit a huge range of siz......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member Ducks, geese, and swans are familiar birds around the world, plying waters from the Arctic Ocean to tropical forest and city parks. Waterfowl exhibit a huge range of sizes, habitats, and appearances. Included a month their ranks are some of the most beautiful birds in the world. In this class we explore the world’s waterfowl. Instructor Jeff BabsonJeff Babson is an all-around naturalist, with particular interest in birds, butterflies, moths, beetles and dragonflies. Owner of Sky Island Tours, an environmental education and eco-tour company, Jeff has led birding tours for the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and several birding festivals in southern Arizona (Wings over Willcox, Southwest Wings, Tucson Birding and Nature Festival). He lives in Vail with his wife and two children. Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesClasses, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Art Paper DahliasJanuary 12, 2026 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

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Arizona Women's Chorus Performance

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsLightsUp! TicketsThis event is included with LightsUp! Admission. Arizona Women’s Chorus will be performing holiday favorites during LightsUp! on December 16th. There will be two 45-minute performances at 7:00 ......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsLightsUp! TicketsThis event is included with LightsUp! Admission. Arizona Women’s Chorus will be performing holiday favorites during LightsUp! on December 16th. There will be two 45-minute performances at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Come enjoy holiday music along with over 1 million twinkling lights! This event is included with LightsUp! Admission. Upcoming ClassesFamily, Special Garden Story TimeDecember 10 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Garden Story Time

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsGarden AdmissionThis event is free with admission Join us for nature-themed stories, songs, puppets, and sensory activities!  Children of all ages are welcome, but the program is geared toward children aged 2 t......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsGarden AdmissionThis event is free with admission Join us for nature-themed stories, songs, puppets, and sensory activities!  Children of all ages are welcome, but the program is geared toward children aged 2 to 7 years old.   Garden Story Time will be held rain or shine, hot or cold. For location, check on arrival at the Gardens. Upcoming ClassesFamily, Special Garden Story TimeDecember 10 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

It's Midnight Somewhere!

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsLightsUp! Tickets If staying up till midnight to welcome in the New Year is not your cup of hot cocoa, join us for a little early Auld Lang Syne! Bring the whole family together on New Year’s Eve to celebrate t......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsLightsUp! Tickets If staying up till midnight to welcome in the New Year is not your cup of hot cocoa, join us for a little early Auld Lang Syne! Bring the whole family together on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the imminent arrival of 2026 during LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination. Upcoming ClassesFamily, Special Garden Story TimeDecember 10 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

HeadlightsUp!

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsLightsUp! TicketsThis event is included with LightsUp! Admission HeadlightsUp! A Holiday Vintage Car Show to celebrate Tucson Botanical Gardens’ 50th Anniversary! Decked out in their very finest holiday lights,......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsLightsUp! TicketsThis event is included with LightsUp! Admission HeadlightsUp! A Holiday Vintage Car Show to celebrate Tucson Botanical Gardens’ 50th Anniversary! Decked out in their very finest holiday lights, vintage cars are returning to Tucson Botanical Gardens on Saturday, January 10, only!  Marvel at a selection of the Old Pueblo’s finest vintage cars – all decked out for the holidays in lights and decorations.  This event is included with LightsUp! Admission. Co-hosted by Tucson Botanical Gardens and Truly Nolen Upcoming ClassesFamily, Special Garden Story TimeDecember 10 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Paper Dahlias

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$60 Non-Member / $48 Member Class Capacity 12 In this class you will create a beautiful Crepe Paper Dahlia with petals, leaves and steam. You will learn how to assemble a gorgeous paper flower with......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$60 Non-Member / $48 Member Class Capacity 12 In this class you will create a beautiful Crepe Paper Dahlia with petals, leaves and steam. You will learn how to assemble a gorgeous paper flower with all pre-cut paper to create a large flower with glue, wire. You will also learn how to use a color pallet to give your flower a more realistic look. We will talk about the origins of dahlias and the diversity of this flower.  Instructor Sandy VillegasBorn in Puebla, Mexico, Sandy has always loved art making drawings and doodling when she got the chance. Her family moved to Sonora, Mexico and after a couple years she decided to come to the United States. She married a military man and while raising two children received an Associate Degree in Digital Arts. Some time passes before her daughter, Brittany, found an art project making paper flowers. Soon Sandy found herself making flowers and a business was born. Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesClasses, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Art Paper DahliasJanuary 12, 2026 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Education Building Classroom

Pest Management Around Your Home and Garden - Poison Free

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member Class Capacity 24 Kathy Neff has lived in the Tanque Verde Watershed for 39 years. Upon rewilding her home yard, the unexpected challenge of managing pests became a neces......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member Class Capacity 24 Kathy Neff has lived in the Tanque Verde Watershed for 39 years. Upon rewilding her home yard, the unexpected challenge of managing pests became a necessary part of stewarding the new habitat. Learn practical, non-poisonous strategies to use within your own habitat and feel good about your place on the land. Participants are encouraged to bring their concerns to the class for brief analysis, discussion, or recommendations. instructor Kathy NeffI’m Kathy Neff and have cherished the Sonoran Desert for 39 years. Humans and connectedness with nature has changed. I recently discovered the concept of rewilding, as old as the Earth itself, and a shedding of my northern latitude attitude. Join me on my journey from rewilding to rodent control. Its fun, its rich, I’m an amateur, and merely a human with restored and healthier surroundings. Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesClasses, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Art Paper DahliasJanuary 12, 2026 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Education Building Classroom

Botanical Illustration: Drawing Desert Flowers

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member The desert is full of inspiration. Draw on the unique beauty around us and use basic techniques to create illustrations of desert flowers. Open to all skill levels. Plea......More

Sonoran Desert Wildlife: Identifying Their Tracks and SignsRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member The desert is full of inspiration. Draw on the unique beauty around us and use basic techniques to create illustrations of desert flowers. Open to all skill levels. Please supply your own art materials. Recommended art materials include: Bristol Board paper  Colored Pencil Set of at least 12 pencils Colorless Bender White Soft Eraser Paper – regular printer paper Instructor Devon MeyerAs an artist, Devon is constantly inspired by nature. The elaborate patterns and gorgeous colors seen in plants, birds or flowers are reflected in the work she does. Watercolor is her favorite medium but she also works in oil, charcoal, pen and ink and colored pencil. Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesClasses, Art Poinsettias in WatercolorDecember 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Classes, Art Mistletoe Arrangement: Crepe Paper DesignDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Nature & Ecology Ducks, Geese, and SwansDecember 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Art Paper DahliasJanuary 12, 2026 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

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