About
Summer at the Arboretum returns and it is packed to the brim with music, food, art and family fun! You couldn’t get enough of our massive floral peacocks during Dallas Blooms, so we’ve extended the show through August 7. Jonsson Color Garden remains home to our pair of giant 13-foot-tall peacock topiaries featuring ornately planted tails measuring well over 36 feet! The garden also features more than 50,000 new plantings in June with 300 tropical elephant ears and 500 cannas creating our signature summer look.
We feature local mural artists Alli Koch, MOM, Will Heron and Favio Moreno as they create custom murals beginning June 4. Visit our Lakeside Exhibit Area as they paint custom garden-inspired murals on massive outdoor canvases. Snap a selfie, share it on social, and find a relaxing spot to create your own artwork in the garden. We also offer an exclusive Meet the Artists night in the garden on July 26. The topiaries remain through August 7 and the completed murals through August 14.
But that’s not all – each week features free live music, seasonal food demos and fun family activities including Bubble Picnics, special movie screenings and we have even more great bird-centric programming featuring guided hikes, expert talks, live bird demonstrations and petting zoos all summer long. Plus, take advantage of the great holiday weekends summer has to offer with our fan favorite face painting, petting zoo, party bands and vendor markets. Father’s Day and Juneteenth weekend features the opening of a curated photographic exhibition by local photographer Don Thomas II, recently featured on WFAA and in D Magazine.
As summer heats up, you won’t want to miss our Frozen Fridays, featuring cool frozen treats from local shops. And you won’t believe our new summer admission deals for your friends, family, and neighbors. Visit every day in July for just $5 (general admission) and August Dollar Days return at $3 per person.
Event Overview
Seasonal Events
Bird Décor with Vanessa Camara Designs
July 2 & 17; August 6 & 14; September 3 & 10 from 11am-3pm
Main Entry Plaza
In case you missed local Dallas designer Vanessa Camara during Dallas Blooms she will be out again in the Summer selling her hand-painted bird items including painted wooden bird earrings, wooden eggs, and wooden bird houses!
Photography with Chris Jackson of DFW Urban Wildlife
September 4 & 5 at 9am
Meet in the Main Entry Plaza
Join Chris Jackson for a 2-hour Wildlife Photography Workshop and learn all the tips and tricks to nature photography with any type of camera including your cellphone! Each class will focus on how to take photos of wildlife you may see in the garden such as Baltimore orioles, hummingbirds, and green tree frogs. This will be a guided photography tour: Chris will help you find and identify wildlife and provide photography tips along the way
Bird Décor with Kella Carlton
July 1, 9, 10, 16, & 24; August 13, 20 & 21; & September 9 & 11 from 11am-3pm
Main Entry Plaza
Visit with local Dallas artist Kella Carlton as she does a vendor demo and sale of her handmade teacup bird feeders, teapot birdhouses, and decorative birdbaths. All her unique, handcrafted treasures are made to withstand the elements, making them ideal for outdoor and garden decoration. You will find everything you need to build your very own bird sanctuary that will have colorful birds flocking to your yard all year long. Kella’s creations make fabulous gifts, and the birds love them too. Shipping and gift wrapping available.
Dallas Zoo Animal Adventures
July 2 & September 3 at 10:30am
Martin Rutchik Concert Stage & Lawn
Make sure to pack a picnic and join favorites the Dallas Zoo for a 45-minute presentation as they bring out 5-7 ambassador animals, including birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Family Fun Weekends
Each Family Fun Weekend features your family favorites: Country Critters Petting Zoo and face painting from 10am-2pm, Lucca and Livvy Nitro Pressed Juices from 10am-4pm and Lil’ Red Flower Truck flower sales from 11am-3pm (subject to availability).
July 2-4: Independence Day Weekend! Meet the birds you may see in your backyard with Window to the Wild on Sunday from 10:30-11:30am on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn! Enjoy Buttermilk Junction play traditional songs of frontier Texas at the DeGolyer Pergola on Saturday from 12pm-2pm. Join Hidden Hangar Winery from 2pm –4pm on Sunday July 3rd at the Three Sisters Overlook. Eataly presents a hands-on pasta-making class on July 2nd. July 4th the Singing Zoologist will be back for his educational talk about eagles! Gil’s Elegant Catering offers $4 brownie sundaes, $2 hot dogs, and root beer floats at the Terrace Café all weekend; Kevin the Pie Dude will be selling pies on July 2nd.
Pepper Palooza: August 12-21
Vendor Market: August 13 & 14 • 10am-3pm – Join us for our 2nd annual Pepper Palooza! All throughout A Tasteful Place, peppers take center stage. On August 13-14, join us for our vendor market with 20 vendors featuring their favorite pepper products including jams, salsas, edamame beans and, of course, peppers. You don’t want to miss this once-a-year spicy event!
September 3-5: Labor Day Weekend! Window to the Wild will be on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn from 10:30-11:30am on Monday showing off birds and talking about their jobs in nature! 3 Nations Brewing conducts a craft beer tasting on September 3rd from 2-4 pm. Flower Power studios presents a family cooking class on September 4th from 12-2 pm. September 5th the Singing Zoologist returns with his interactive educational concert all about eagles. Gil’s Elegant Catering offers $4 brownie sundaes, $2 hot dogs, and root beer floats at the Terrace Café all weekend.
Movie Mondays
July 11, and August 22 at 10am
Rosine Hall
Stay cool inside Rosine Hall for our Movie Monday Series featuring movies such as Happy Feet, Storks and Chicken Little!* Bring a blanket and your friends to enjoy a morning movie before your afternoon picnic in the garden. Theater snacks will be ready for purchase.
*Movies subject to change
Bird Walk with Jake Poinsett of the Trinity River Audubon Center
July 17 at 9:30am
Meet in the Main Entry Plaza
Jake Poinsett, Program Manager at the Trinity River Audubon Center, will lead a guided bird walk off the beaten path of the Dallas Arboretum to identify various birds that utilize plants onsite! Make sure to bring water and your walking shoes!
Christmas in July – Sunday, July 24
Santa is taking a vacation away from the North Pole to come to the Dallas Arboretum! Get your Christmas in July photo with Santa from 11am-2pm at the Wishing Well with all donations collected benefitting the Dallas Arboretum Volunteer Advisory Board.
Join us in the Pecan Grove for Story Time with Mrs. Claus at 11am and escape away to a wintery destination with the cool flavors of Big D Kona Ice, available from 11am-3pm.
Birds in Paradise: Meet the Artists Night
July 26 | 6-8pm
$5 members ($10 guests)
Join our four local mural artists live in the garden for a special ticketed event. The artists will share about their process in creating the piece and sell pieces you can take home. Plus, we’ll have food trucks and beverages available for sale, music in Jonsson Color Garden and ample opportunity for family picnics.
Lucas Miller, the Singing Zoologist
July 4 & September 5 at 10am
DeGolyer Steps
Back by popular demand! Join Lucas Miller, the Singing Zoologist, for his 40-minute mini-concerts at 10:15 and 11:45 as he educates family audiences about our national bird, the bald eagle! You will want to bring a picnic and your dancing shoes for this!
Window to the Wild Bird Show
Back by popular demand, Window to the Wild returns with their bird flight shows and a special up-close glove encounter! Each appearance brings a new theme to the show, so mark your calendar! *Please check website in case of rescheduling due to inclement weather
Flight Show:
Martin Rutchik Concert Stage
10:30-11:30am
July 3: Backyard Bird Show: meet birds found in your very own backyard
September 5: Bird Jobs: learn about the roles birds play in nature
Glove Encounters:
Jonsson Color Garden
12-2pm
June 18 & August 14: Join Window to the Wild for a 2-hour outdoor meet and greet with birds and trainers! Get up close and learn all about beautiful Birds of Prey that you can find right in your own backyard.
Pepper Palooza
August 12-21 with Vendor Market August 13 & 14 from 10-3pm
Join us for our 2nd annual Pepper Palooza! All throughout the potager gardens in A Tasteful Place, peppers will take center stage. How spicy do you like it? On August 13-14, join us for our vendor market with up to 20 vendors featuring their favorite pepper influenced products, including jams, salsas, edamame beans and, of course, peppers. You don’t want to miss this once-a-year spicy event!
August Dollar Days
August 1–31
August Dollar Days are back by popular demand. Main garden admission is $3, Children’s Adventure Garden admission is $3, and parking is $6 all month long. To beat the heat, our Terrace Café has special hot dogs, root beer floats and drinks for a reduced price.
Free & Repeating Programs
Member Mornings
Daily through November 5 from 7-9am
Take advantage of your membership with an early morning walk. Refresh and enjoy first access to the garden as we prepare for the day. No photography allowed.
Scavenger Hunt Tuesday
Information Booth
10am-3pm
Pick up a scavenger hunt every Tuesday at the Information Booth, and play as you stroll the garden, enjoying the beautiful murals and nature the Arboretum has to offer. Once you complete your scavenger hunt, turn your answers into the Main Information Booth for a chance to win a kid’s ticket to a Fall Cool Thursdays concert.
Wednesday Bubble Picnic
Pecan Grove
10:30am-12pm
Kids will love our newest pop-up activity: Wednesday Bubble Picnic! Set up your own picnic, cool off in the shade and let the little one’s pop bubbles to their heart’s content!
DeGolyer House Historical Tours
Monday-Saturday from 10am-4pm, Sunday from 12-4pm
Visit the DeGolyer House for a tour of the beautiful, historic home while listening to knowledgeable docents speak about the history of the home and family.
Daily Harvest with the Horticulture Team
A Tasteful Place
Every Thursday at 11am
Join the Dallas Arboretum horticulture team in A Tasteful Place as they harvest fresh seasonal vegetable, fruits or herbs. Learn about harvesting, growing and more from the experts! Talk kicks off at 11am each Thursday.
CC Young Senior Living Thursdays
June & September – December from 9am-5pm
Seniors 65 and older get in for $1 off general garden admission (excludes August Dollar Days), and always receive a 20% discount in the Hoffman Family Gift Store.
Family Fun Fridays
Pecan Grove
June 3-July 29
Every Friday from 10am-2pm
Family Fun Fridays: Fan Favorites Country Critters Petting Zoo joins us with a variety of farm favorites, Story Time (10 and 10:30am) with a Dallas Arboretum volunteer; face painting; Kindermusik (12pm) returns to engage children’s minds about the world around them including trees, flowers, and birds!
Frozen Fridays
Bigham Overlook
June 3- September 2
Fridays from 11am-3pm
We want you to stay cool during the Texas heat, so starting June 3 enjoy a cold treat from local ice cream vendors every Friday all summer long as you stroll the garden!
Melt Events: July 8, 22 and August 12, 26
Pure Milk & Honey: July 1, 15, 29 and August 5, 19
Tongue in Cheek: June 3- September 2
ZZ’s Ice Cream Puffs: July 1, 15, 29 and August 12, 26
Pokey O’s: September 2
Dallas College Cooks
A Tasteful Place
Every Monday at 11am
Dallas College’s Chef Chastity Alexander creates healthy and delicious seasonal dishes your family will love to make and eat at home!
July: Black Bean and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers and Shishito Pepper Pico de Gallo
August: Pan Seared Turkey with Pumpkin and Collard Greens Medley
September: Roasted Beet Hummus with Baked Pita Chips
Tasteful Tuesdays Floral Demos
A Tasteful Place
Every Tuesday at 11am
Local floral experts provide how to demos, hands on tips and tricks and design inspiration with seasonal color.
July 5: Grove Hill Farms arranges cut zinnias and sunflowers & shares their top picks for sunflowers to plant at home for arrangements and as food for backyard birds
July 12: Blushed Arrangements uses feathers and summer cut flowers in a whimsical arrangement
July 19: Mcshan Florist uses beautiful birds of paradise into a vase arrangement to get everyone talking at your summer parties!
July 26: Lil’ Red Flower Truck displays a beautiful arrangement of grocery store finds and shows you how to get the most bang for your buck
August 2: R Love Floral uses edible fruits and foliage to create a late summer/ early fall centerpiece
August 9: Casa de Avella demonstrates floral color theory and dramatics! How to elevate your design using everyday florals
August 16: En Fleur, Best of the Know Winner, will be incorporating a bird cage with a floral surround to make a centerpiece for the summer
August 23: Mcshan Florist shares how to incorporate ornamental vegetables into flower arrangements.
August 30: Gardenia Event Décor creates a colorful centerpiece that everyone will want at home using tropical flowers including birds of paradise
September 6: Mcshan Florist creates a beautiful centerpiece to mark the end of summer by adding beautifully bright and vibrant colors
Daily Tastings Demo with Chef Isabel
A Tasteful Place
Every Tuesday at 1pm
Resident Chef Isabel Snetsinger shows you how she creates the seasonal recipes you enjoy each week at the Ruthie Pack Tasting Plaza.
Chef-Tastic Cooking Demos
A Tasteful Place
Most Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11am
July 6: Chef Debra Lewis from Chef’s Table teaches the making of 5 different sauces and homemade stock
July 13: Cooking demo by Chef Mollie G. with new takes on summer flavors: grilled watermelon & Thai basil shrimp cocktail
July 14: Cooking demo by restaurant Loro Dallas; menu: melon salad, karaage & ribs!
July 20: Chef Jamaal Johnson showcases his summer specialties: summer pasta, bistro chicken and strawberry champagne granita
July 27: Chef Sandra Lewis from Life at the Table will teach how to make hummus and crostini
August 3: Cooking demo by Chef Amanda Bradford from Bradford Bakery: seared salmon, salad, and apple tart
August 4: Ruthie’s Rolling Café will present the ultimate grilled chicken grilled cheese sandwich
August 10: Tiffini Adams from Crumb Well Bakery will demonstrate vegan Lemon Bars, Strawberry & Champagne Cupcakes and Beignets
August 17: Luke Rogers from Cathedral Italian Bistro will demonstrate a homemade pasta dish: Cacio E Pepe
August 21: Annie Greenslade from The Sweet Life whips up pepper themed dishes: Pork Tenderloin Roulade stuffed with fresh peppers and herbed duxelles.
August 25: Cooking demo by hot restaurant Loro Dallas featuring menu favorites: melon salad, chicken karaage and short ribs
August 28: Chef Jamaal Johnson showcases his Asian inspired specialties: Noodle salad, chicken lettuce wrap, chicken fried rice.
Learn to Grow Fridays
A Tasteful Place
Every Friday at 11am
Presented by the Dallas County Master Gardeners, the Dallas Arboretum Horticultural Staff, and local experts. Enjoy special tips and presentations on summer plants and gardening topics.
July 1: The results of the Arboretum’s Trial Program are in: See what the Texas summer couldn’t even kill!
July 8: C A Hiscock shows you that summer gardening is not complete without containers!
July 15: Janet Nevil discusses our favorite summer fruit, tomatoes
July 22: Irwin Lightstone, President of the North Texas Cactus and Succulent Society, shares his favorite cactus and succulents for your backyard or windowsill.
July 29: Perennials for hot seasonal color
August 5: Irwin Lightstone returns with his tips and tricks for exceptional plant photography
August 12: Join us for our two-part event to kick-off Pepper Palooza! Dallas County Master Gardeners will be out for both to give us tricks and tips on using peppers!
August 19: Pepper Palooza: Dallas County Master Gardeners share tips on growing, preparing and cooking with our hot variety of mild to spicy peppers.
August 26: Vice Presidents of Gardens Dave Forehand shares his favorite plants to beat the Texas Heat. If it can survive in our Plant Trials programs, it will shine for you too!
September 2: We will be raking leaves soon. Make clever use of them by creating our own compost. Your garden will love you for it!
Wind Down Wednesdays
Three Sisters Overlook at A Tasteful Place
3-5pm
Guests age 21+ can join local breweries and wineries on select dates to sample and learn about their local selections. Complimentary with garden admission.
July 6: St. Arnold Brewery craft beer tasting
July 13: Ready-to-drink cocktail tasting by Sabe Beverages
July 20: Craft beer tasting by TUPPS Brewery: year-round favorites and a fruited pale ale
July 27: Wine tasting by Brooks Trabold from Flora and Fauna Imports
August 3: St. Arnold Brewery craft beer tasting
August 10: Seltzer tasting by San Juan Seltzers
August 17: Back-to-School Sparkling Cocktail tasting by Jess the Wine Lady
August 24: Wine tasting by Hidden Hangar Vineyards & Winery
August 31: Craft beer tasting by TUPPS Brewery: year-round favorites and Backyard Bock
Complimentary Weekend Tastings
A Tasteful Place (unless otherwise noted)
See times below
July 3: Wine tasting by Hidden Hangar Vineyards & Winery (2-4pm)
July 9: Craft beer tasting by 3 Nations Brewing (2-4pm)
July 10: Seltzer tasting by San Juan Seltzers (2-4pm)
July 17: National Ice Cream Day! Summer Wine Cocktail and Ice Cream & Wine Pairing by Jess the Wine Lady (1-3pm)
July 23: Craft beer tasting by Four Corners Brewing Co. (12-3pm)
July 30: Reddy Vineyards wine tasting (2-4pm)
August 6: Craft beer tasting by Four Corners Brewing Co. (12-3 pm)
August 7: Wine tasting by Sugar Ridge Winery (12-2 pm)
August 20: Craft beer tasting by Oak Highlands Brewery (2-4 pm)
August 27: Olive Oil tasting with Chef Michelle, owner of Infused Oils & Vinegars. (11am-12pm at the Test Pavilion)
September 3: Craft beer tasting by 3 Nations Brewing (2-4 pm)
September 18: Craft beer tasting (including Oktoberfest) by Vector Brewing Company (2-4 pm)
Entertainment
Pecan Grove
10am-12pm
Bring the family and enjoy a brunch picnic in the Pecan Grove! Lush turf, ample shade, picnic tables and a gazebo with live music by local artists, will sure guarantee weekend fun in your favorite garden!
July 2: Paul Salvie, accordionist
July 3: Dave Garrison, guitarist
July 4: Emily Guerrero, violinist
July 9: Laurie Gabriel, cellist
July 10: Jeong Hoon Lee, flutist
July 16: Jeong Hoon Lee, flutist
July 17: Andrew Greare, guitarist
July 23: Jeong Hoon Lee, flutist
July 24: Lorena Leigh, ukulele
July 30: Jeong Hoon Lee, flutist
July 31: Alex Williams, violinist
DeGolyer Pergola
10am-12pm
Enjoy cool local music before the heat of the day in Jonsson Color Garden with live instrumental performances from the DeGolyer Pergola!
August 6: Lorena Leigh, ukulele
August 7: Jeong Hoon Lee, flutist
August 13: Dave Garrison, guitarist
August 14: Carly Carroll, pianist
August 20: Czech Folk Singers
August 21: Dave Garrison, guitarist
August 27: Laurie Gabriel, cellist
August 28: Alex Williams, violinist
September 3: Jeong Hoon Lee, flutist
September 4: Carly Carroll, pianist
September 5: Dave Garrison, guitarist
Jeanne’s Pavilion
12pm-2pm
Join us for our favorite local acts playing piano at Jeanne’s Pavilion throughout the summer! Located in the perfect picnic area, you can enjoy live music and stay cool in the summer shade!
July 2 Brad Hanson
July 3 Rebecca Cordes
July 4 Brad Hanson
July 9: Bob Goodwin, pianist
July 10: Brad Williams, pianist
July 16: Bob Goodwin, pianist
July 17: Mike Springer, Pianist
July 23: Bob Goodwin, pianist
July 24: Music Starz Studios, pianist
July 30: Bob Goodwin, pianist
August 21: Mike Springer, Pianist
August 27: Pritchard School of Music, pianist
August 28: Zhen Music & Arts, pianist
Martin Rutchik Concert Stage & Lawn
2pm-4pm
Your outdoor summer music entertainment is right here at the Dallas Arboretum as we host DFW’s best party bands! You’ll dance your afternoon away to the biggest hits of rock, country, blues, and today. Grab your friends and head over to bask in the sun while enjoying music on our concert lawn!
July 2: Missing 3, Top 40 rock
July 3: New Horizons, Classic soft rock, R&B and Blues
July 4: Groovadelix, Classic hits
September 3: Monkey Love, Classic rock
September 4: Low Key Colors, Rock classics
September 5: Radio Edit, Hits from rock to country
Classes & Paid Events
Memory Garden Summer Series
June 24 & July 1 at 9am
Sewell Boardroom
Series of four classes for those in the early to middle stages of Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Pre-registration is required. $20 cost includes garden admission for participant and care partner, as well as parking for all four days – a value of over $200.
Sponsored by the AWARE Foundation & the Darrell K Royal Research Foundation
Italian Specialties with Chef Amanda Bradford
June 23 from 12-2pm
Adult member $85
Adult guest $95
Chef Amanda Bradford from Bradford Bakery and Flower Child Restaurant will teach how to make a ricotta, prosciutto, pea shoot and mint tartine; fettuccine with walnut brown butter pesto, parmesan, balsamic and chicken; white chocolate panna cotta, rhubarb compote and lemon streusel.
Cooking Class with Chef Annie Greenslade, The Sweet Life Chef
June 25 from 1-3pm
Adult member $69
Adult guest $79
Get ready for the upcoming holiday weekend, as Chef Annie Greenslade, the Sweet Life Chef, will teach how to make: Not Your Mama’s Meatloaf, packed w/ veggies and fresh herbs, scalloped potatoes with fresh herbs and Bacon Apple Crisp.
Italian Day Family Cooking Class with Angie Foster from Flour Power Studios
June 26 from 1-3pm
Adult member $35
Adult guest $45
Angie Foster from Flour Power Studios teaches Italian classics that you can make at home: Parmesan Chicken Meatballs, Parmesan Garlic Pull-Apart Biscuits, and Italian Sugar Cookies. These will be your go-to entertaining recipes for years to come!
Hands-on Pasta with Eataly
July 2 from 12-2pm
Adult member $95
Adult guest $105
Eataly presents a hands-on pasta-making class! Cook your own pasta dish with the guidance of their La Scuola chef; enjoy a pasta dish, and a dessert; sip a glass of Italian wine while cooking, followed with a second paired perfectly to the pasta, take home with you the recipe card and tasting notes and you might even make new friends!
Christmas in July Cookie Decorating Class with Jessica’s Bake Shop!
July 24 from 1:15-2:45pm
Child member age 8+ (with an adult): $39
Child guest age 8+ (with an adult): $49
Join Jessica’s Bake Shop for a beginner’s cookie decorating class! You will get to decorate and take home six Christmas in July sugar cookies. But first you will learn all the basics of making and baking sugar cookie dough. They’ll teach you how to make royal icing along with several fun decorating techniques. You will leave with a recipe and resource sheet in case you want to try them at home, too! Note: almond extract is used in the royal icing.
Wine and Cheese Pairing Class, presented by Mozzarella Company
July 31 from 1-3 pm
Adult member age 21+: $79
Adult guest age 21+: $89
Learn to pair cheese and wine! A seated class with an organized array of artisanal cheeses and wines served (6 to 8 cheeses and 5 to 6 wines) This fun, educational, and interactive class is led by a Cheese Expert from the Mozzarella Company and Wine Expert John Bratcher of Two Wine Guys. The class begins with a cocktail party.
Cooking Class with Chef Annie Greenslade, The Sweet Life Chef
August 21 from 1-3pm
Adult member $69
Adult guest $79
Pepper Palooza continues with a lesson on making Pork Tenderloin Roulade stuffed with fresh peppers and herbed duxelles, Sweet Potato and Wilted Kale Salad, Salted Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups.
Asian Cooking Class with Chef Jamaal Johnson from Twist 3D Cuisine
August 28 from 12-2pm
Adult member $69
Adult guest $79
Chef Jamaal returns with crowd-pleasing favorites for upcoming Labor Day Weekend with Asian flair: noodle salad, chicken lettuce wraps and chicken fried rice. You won’t need to order takeout after this hands-on class!
Cooking Class with Chef Amanda Bradford from Bradford Bakery
September 1 from 11am-1pm
Adult member $69
Adult guest $79
Chef Amanda Bradford from Bradford Bakery and Flower Child Restaurant will teach you how to make menu: Pumpkin seed/chipotle vinaigrette, Manchego cheese, small diced roasted squash, candied pumpkin seeds, picked red onion; Carne asada taco, squash salsa, pumpkin seed rice, kale slaw; Pear galette.
Family Cooking Class with Angie Foster from Flour Power Studios
September 4 from 12-2pm
Adult Member $55
Adult Guest $60
Child Member $30
Child Guest $30
Bring the family together & learn how to make some Labor Day favorites together: Apple Pie Cookies, Crunchy Oriental Ramen Salad, and Baked Cheeseburger Sliders.