Tucson Botanical Gardens Events

Wednesday November 11 10:00am - 11:00am MST

Education Building Classroom

Garden Story Time: Señorita Mariposa

Twinkle & ToastGarden AdmissionThis event is free with Garden Admission This Week’s Book: Señorita MariposaThis Week’s Activity: Coffee Filter Butterflies Garden Story Time is back! Join us every Wednesday morning at 10:00 am in the Education Classroom for an interacti......More

Education Building Classroom

Thursday November 12 1:00pm - 4:00pm MST

Porter Hall

Garden Colored Pencil

Twinkle & ToastRegister Here$55 Non-Member / $44 Member Class Capacity 12 Colored Pencils are not just for coloring books new technology has made the colored pencil an accepted art medium. Come and learn the basics. Discover different colored pencils, papers, and how ......More

Porter Hall

Friday November 13 9:00am - 11:00am MST

TBG Greenhouse

Seeds Saving, Harvesting, and Processing Workshop

Twinkle & ToastRegister Here$36 Non-Member / $29 Member Class Capacity 12 Explore a variety of seed harvesting and processing techniques and tools. We will clean and process many kinds of seeds. We will learn about the importance of saving seeds in our communities for f......More

TBG Greenhouse

Friday November 13 10:00am - 12:00pm MST

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Fuss-Free Desert Gardening

Twinkle & ToastRegister Here$36 Non-Member / $29 Member A beautiful desert landscape doesn’t have to require constant work. In this presentation, you’ll learn how to create an attractive, low-maintenance garden that thrives in our desert climate while reducing the time spent on routine care. Discover dependable, easy-care plants that provide year-round beauty, along with practical strategies for plant selection, placement, watering, pruning, and maintenance. Whether you’re starting a new landscape or looking to simplify an existing one, you’ll leave with proven techniques for creating a desert garden that’s both beautiful and easy to care for. Instructor Noelle JohnsonNoelle Johnson is a horticulturist, landscape consultant, and garden writer. Popularly known as ‘AZ Plant Lady’, she has been inspiring and teaching people to create, grow, and maintain beautiful gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She is the author of the popular blog, ‘Ramblings From a Desert Garden’ where she has been imparting essential gardening advice for over 10 years.She is the creator of the popular online course, ‘Desert Gardening 101’ and is passionate about taking the mystery out of gardening in the desert in simple steps. Noelle has written for Water Use It Wisely, Birds & Blooms Magazine, Houzz, and The Home Depot. 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 ClassesYume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 6 pm)November 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Special, Yume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 7 pm)November 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Demo The Shop Presents: ChilltepicaNovember 14 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

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Friday November 13 6:00pm - 7:00pm MST

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 6 pm)

Twinkle & ToastGet TicketsMember Presale Starts Oct. 9 $30 Non-Member / $15 Children $28 Active Military & Senior (62+) $25 Member / $10 Member Children Capacity 70 $7 lantern (for sale at the door – recommended one per family) As the sun sets and darkness falls, visit......More

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Friday November 13 7:00pm - 8:00pm MST

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 7 pm)

Twinkle & ToastGet TicketsMember Presale starts Oct. 9 $30 Non-Member / $15 Children $28 Active Military & Senior (62+) $25 Member / $10 Member Children Capacity 70 $7 lantern (for sale at the door – recommended one per family) As the sun sets and darkness falls, visit......More

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Saturday November 14 10:00am - 12:00pm MST

Education Building Classroom

Winter Aromatics & Scented Herbal Sachets

Twinkle & ToastRegister Here$40 Non-Member / $32 Member Class Capacity 24 Discover natural ways to create a cozy home sanctuary and support vitality as the days grow shorter. This hands-on session introduces a selection of essential oils, nourishing herbs, and warming s......More

Education Building Classroom

Saturday November 14 10:00am - 2:00pm MST

Gift Shop, 2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, Arizona, 85712

The Shop Presents: Chilltepica

Twinkle & ToastGarden AdmissionThis event is free with Garden Admission Gather with us to learn about Chilttepica, a specialty food company founded in 2010 and based in Tucson, Arizona. Our November 14th demonstration will highlight their sustainably sourced chiltepin ......More

Gift Shop, 2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, Arizona, 85712

Saturday November 14 10:30am - 11:30am MST

Porter Hall

Pre-contact Agaves in the Southwestern United States: Rediscovering Lost Crops among the Hohokam and other Arizona Cultures

Twinkle & ToastRegister HereFree with Gardens Admission-Registration Required Capacity is 60 Agaves have long been recognized for their importance in Mesoamerica, but their significance to Indigenous peoples north of the U.S.–Mexico border has only recently gained broader attention. Research shows that pre-Columbian farmers cultivated multiple domesticated agave varieties in Arizona as early as A.D. 600, with many surviving today as living remnants of ancient agricultural systems. These plants provide valuable insights into prehistoric farming, trade, and migration, while DNA and morphological studies suggest Arizona may have been a secondary center of agave domestication. Learn how this work highlights the importance of integrating botany, archaeology, and Indigenous knowledge to better understand the cultural and ecological history of these remarkable plants. instructor Wendy C. HodgsonI have lived in and loved the Sonoran Desert for more than 40 years. My areas of interest include Southwest U.S. and northern Mexico floristics, rare and endemic plants and taxonomy and systematics of Agave and Yucca, including the study of pre-Columbian agave cultivars. Other current projects include the study and documentation of the flora of the Grand Canyon region, including the evolution and distribution of certain plant groups as affected by the unique factors characteristic of this area. I am also studying and documenting Southwest US cacti, coordinator for the Cactus family treatment for Intermountain Flora and co-coordinator for the Cactus Family of Arizona project by Garden research staff and research associates. I am an avid plant collector who strives towards making high-quality specimens in difficult groups like Agavaceae and Cactaceae. Upcoming ClassesYume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 6 pm)November 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Special, Yume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 7 pm)November 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Demo The Shop Presents: ChilltepicaNovember 14 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Special, Yume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Saturday 6 pm)November 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Porter Hall

Saturday November 14 6:00pm - 7:00pm MST

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Saturday 6 pm)

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Saturday November 14 7:00pm - 8:00pm MST

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Tōrō Nagashi - Floating Lantern Festival (Saturday, 7 pm)

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Sunday November 15 10:00am - 12:00pm MST

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

The Art of Kokeshi: Japanese Traditional Wooden Doll Workshop

Twinkle & ToastRegister Here$120 Non-Member / $100 Member Capacity 16 A Cultural and Hands-On Experience with a Master Artisan from Japan. Discover the beauty and cultural significance of traditional Japanese wooden dolls, known as kokeshi. Celebrated for their simple, elegant forms and expressive designs, kokeshi reflect a deep sense of Japanese aesthetics and heritage. In this workshop, a master artisan will share the history, techniques, and artistry behind kokeshi through an engaging talk and live demonstration. Participants will then enjoy a hands-on experience, painting their own pre-made kokeshi doll using Japanese brushes and traditional pigments, creating a unique keepsake to take home. instructor Mr. Satō, Artisan of Traditonal Kokeshi DollKijidokoro Satō is a traditional kokeshi doll studio founded in 1926. They preserve the traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations since the Edo period (1603–1868), and take pride in creating kokeshi dolls that are loved even in the modern era. All of the wood They use is domestically sourced, natural timber. They remain committed to crafting products filled with time, effort, and the artisan’s spirit. https://www.kijidaruma.com/ 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 ClassesYume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 6 pm)November 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Special, Yume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 7 pm)November 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Demo The Shop Presents: ChilltepicaNovember 14 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Special, Yume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Saturday 6 pm)November 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Monday November 16 9:30am - 12:00pm MST

Education Building Classroom

Crepe Paper Poinsettia Arrangement

Twinkle & ToastRegister Here$80 Non-Member / $64 Member Class Capacity 12 Poinsettias are an iconic part of holiday decor, and varieties come in so many colors and patterns. Participants will make a crepe paper Poinsettia arrangement to take home for the holidays. All a......More

Education Building Classroom

Tuesday November 17 9:00am - 12:00pm MST

Education Building Classroom

Painting the Desert Garden: a 2-part Cold Wax and Oil Workshop

Twinkle & ToastRegister Here$100 Non-Member / $80 Member Class Capacity 12 – Tuesday, Nov. 17 & Thursday Nov. 19, 9 AM-12 PM This series is Tuesday, 11/17 & Thursday, 11/19You will not be able to sign up for the following classes in this series separately. This two-day immersive workshop invites participants to engage directly with the unique flora and atmosphere of the Tucson Botanical Gardens, using photography as a starting point for creating a single expressive painting in cold wax and oil. Participants will begin by exploring the gardens, learning to identify compelling compositions, light patterns, and abstract forms through guided observation and smartphone photography. These collected images will serve as a foundation for interpretation and creative exploration. In the studio, students will be introduced to cold wax and oil techniques, including layering, scraping, and mark-making, to build a textured, luminous surface. Emphasis will be placed on translating visual experience into personal expression, encouraging participants to move beyond literal representation. Who is it for and what can I expect? This workshop is suitable for absolute beginners to painting through advanced artists seeking to expand their practice with cold wax medium. Each participant will complete one finished or near-finished painting and leave with a working understanding of cold wax techniques, as well as strategies for using photography as a creative springboard rather than a fixed reference. Materials List: Student-grade oil paints like Gamblin’s 1980 or Winsor & Newton’s Winton are fine, or professional-grade if you prefer. Acrylic paints are not suitable for this class. Recommended Colors:Titanium WhiteUltramarine BluePermanent Rose (Winsor & Newton) or Alizarin CrimsonDioxazine PurpleBurnt UmberCadmium Yellow Light or Hansa YellowCadmium Orange or Permanent Orange (2nd color options above are cheaper than the cadmiums. They are less saturated pigments, but the difference is subtle.)One #4 filbert shape brush.Odorless Mineral Spirits (I recommend Gamsol for the least toxicity) and a small cup for cleaning brushes and tools.Palette – One 12” x 16” x 3/32” piece of clear sheet glass for the palette works well with a straight edge razor for cleaning. (Most Home Depot locations carry this pre-cut tempered glass). Check online for availability. Do not bring frame glass, which breaks easily. Add masking tape around edges for easier handling. A disposable paper palette is ok as well.11” x 14” Canvas Paper (Canson XL canvas pad is an affordable option)Gamblin Cold Wax (4 oz. will do)Catalyst Wedge (shape 6)Pointed scraping tool (Anything with a point)Palette knife (any shape is fine)2″-4” wide soft rubber brayerDisposable nitrile glovesSmartphone or camera for capturing the sceneryWear painting cloths or an apron – we will be messy! Optional if you have them. Instructor will have some to share if you don’t: Blue Painters TapePlastic stencils of various types (Amazon is a source)Misc. art stampsIf you have soft pastels, bring a few bright colorsinstructor Tamara PoffOriginally from Michigan, Tammy relocated to Tucson in 2018. A contemporary figurative painter with narrative intent, she focuses primarily on the expressive quality of the female form. She holds a B.A. in Art Education with graduate work toward the M.F.A at Kendall College of Art and Design. Her paintings have been featured in multiple juried gallery and museum shows across the U.S. and are in private collections from Massachusetts to Arizona. 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 ClassesYume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 6 pm)November 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Special, Yume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 7 pm)November 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Demo The Shop Presents: ChilltepicaNovember 14 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Education Building Classroom

Wednesday November 18 10:00am - 11:00am MST

Education Building Classroom

Garden Story Time: Jim Weiss Storytelling- Stone Soup

Twinkle & ToastGardens AdmissionThis event is free with Garden Admission This Week’s Book with Jim Weiss Storytelling: Stone SoupThis Week’s Activity: Soup Cauldron Paper Craft Garden Story Time is back! Join us every Wednesday morning at 10:00 am in the Education Cla......More

Education Building Classroom

Wednesday November 18 2:00pm - 3:30pm MST

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Watercolor Desert Blooms

Twinkle & ToastRegister Here$36 Non-Member / $29 Member Cactus flowers are fun, colorful and diverse. In this class we will explore techniques to draw and paint these beautiful desert plants. From their lovely desert greens to their bright and dramatic flowers, we will......More

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Thursday November 19 9:30am - Sunday November 22 3:00pm MST

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

2026 Fall Ikebana Festival

Twinkle & ToastGarden AdmissionThis event is included with admission Our annual Fall Ikebana Festival returns to Yume Japanese Gardens! Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of floral arrangement, in which flowers, branches, and other natural materials are thoughtful......More

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Friday November 20 10:00am - 12:00pm MST

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Feathered Family Portrait: Hawks and Eagles

Twinkle & ToastRegister Here$36 Non-Member / $29 Member Hawks, eagles, and kites rank high on the list of many birders. They symbolize wilderness and power. In this installment of the Feathered Family Portrait series, we explore the world’s hawks and eagles, looking in......More

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Friday November 20 6:00pm - 7:00pm MST

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Sato no Ne: "Sounds of the Village” Japanese Folk Music and Dance (evening)

Twinkle & ToastBuy Tickets$38 Non-Member / $30 Member Capacity 45 Join us as we fill the Gardens with the celebratory folk and popular culture of Japan! Music, song, dance, and tales with performers Karen Falkenstrom, Suzu Igarashi-Hayes, and Paul Amiel. Get ready to join in the endearing sounds and sights of Japanese folk music! Performer Paul AmielPaul Amiel is involved in a variety of world music, playing gothic harp, Chinese guqin, Turkish ney, Ancient Greek Lyre, among others, and regularly performs with his Balkan duo Kyklo. He studied Kinko Ryu shakuhachi with Iida Katsutoshi in Nagoya, Japan, and founded the Empty Bamboo Shakuhachi Circle in Tucson in 2014. Performer Karen FalkenstromKaren Falkenstrom — aka “Karizona” — is the founder and director of Tucson’s taiko (Japanese ensemble drumming) group Odaiko Sonora. Her lifetime of experience in nonprofit arts includes writing and publishing, event production, and performing. She is the 1.5 generation Korean-Norwegian-American child of musician/educators, dedicated to making arts and cultural activities accessible to all. Performer Suzu Igarashi-HayesSuzu began her artistic journey at the age of three in Japan. After earning her Shihan degree in Japanese classical dance, she set out to share her art with audiences beyond her homeland. Her love of singing was nurtured at home, where the voices of her family filled the rhythm of everyday life. As she invites you along on her artistic journey, she hopes her performance will illuminate cherished memories, echoes of home, family, and the moments that have shaped her along the way. *No refunds will be issued for special events Upcoming ClassesYume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 6 pm)November 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Special, Yume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 7 pm)November 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Demo The Shop Presents: ChilltepicaNovember 14 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Special, Yume Full Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Saturday 6 pm)November 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Saturday November 21 9:00am - 11:00am MST

Porter Hall

Sip & Settle: An Herbal Tea and Garden Meditation

Twinkle & ToastSign Up$25 What lessons do herbs have for humans? Join us on an ethnobotanical tour around Tucson Botanical Gardens, learning about the medicinal properties of herbs. Featuring professional herbalist/acupuncturist and owner of Tucson Herb Store, Amanda B......More

Porter Hall

Saturday November 21 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

Sato no Ne: "Sounds of the Village” Japanese Folk Music and Dance (matinee)

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States

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Garden Story Time: Señorita Mariposa

Garden Colored Pencil

Seeds Saving, Harvesting, and Processing Workshop

Fuss-Free Desert Gardening

Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 6 pm)

Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Friday, 7 pm)

Winter Aromatics & Scented Herbal Sachets

The Shop Presents: Chilltepica

Pre-contact Agaves in the Southwestern United States: Rediscovering Lost Crops among the Hohokam and other Arizona Cultures

Tōrō Nagashi: Floating Lantern Festival (Saturday 6 pm)

Tōrō Nagashi - Floating Lantern Festival (Saturday, 7 pm)

The Art of Kokeshi: Japanese Traditional Wooden Doll Workshop

Crepe Paper Poinsettia Arrangement

Painting the Desert Garden: a 2-part Cold Wax and Oil Workshop

Garden Story Time: Jim Weiss Storytelling- Stone Soup

Watercolor Desert Blooms

2026 Fall Ikebana Festival

Feathered Family Portrait: Hawks and Eagles

Sato no Ne: "Sounds of the Village” Japanese Folk Music and Dance (evening)

Sip & Settle: An Herbal Tea and Garden Meditation

Sato no Ne: "Sounds of the Village” Japanese Folk Music and Dance (matinee)

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