WHO/WHAT:
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s Autumn at the Arboretum festival, named one of “The Best Fall Festivals to Celebrate the Season” by Country Living, continues with a plethora of activities, pumpkins and discounts galore until November 25, 2015. A record 75,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash are used throughout the garden for this fall festival. Autumn at the Arboretum is supported by Alliance Data and Texas Instruments.
WHEN:
Monday, October 12 – Sunday, October 18
FEATURED DAILY:
-The nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village features four pumpkin houses created from thousands of pumpkins, gourds and squash by the talented Horticulture team. This year’s Pumpkin Village recreates an Old Texas Town including a jail created from decorative corn, a blacksmith, a post office and a general store.
-The Texan corral showcases all 52 pumpkin varieties, 16 types of squash and 6 varieties of gourds inside the Pumpkin Village.
-Cinderella’s carriage and thousands of pumpkins—artfully arranged throughout Pecan Grove—create popular photo opportunities.
-Hay Bale Maze at the Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch provides discovery and fun for children.
-Oktoberfest Garten, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The quaint, outdoor Café on the Green serves a traditional German menu, while guests enjoy the view of beautiful, full beds of fall color.
-Piano melodies from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. by Keith Schmorr on the Dann Talley Kinchloe Courtyard
-Bratwurst Tastings, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m, Café on the Green
-75th Anniversary Display in the DeGolyer House, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 8
The DeGolyer House celebrates its 75th Anniversary and the preservation of its historical treasure on the Dallas Arboretum property. Completed in 1940, the hacienda-style home is a celebration of what life was like in the heyday of entertaining. Guests can visit the house and experience its journey from family home to designated landmark through historic photos and documents.
WEEK DAYS:
-Eddie Coker Concert, Monday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Children’s concerts by Eddie Coker are sponsored by DallasChild on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage & Lawn. Guests are invited to listen to live music overlooking the picturesque White Rock Lake while enjoying a picnic on the lawn.
-Kimberly-Clark Mommy & Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Monday and Tuesday through Nov. 25
These days feature a petting zoo, nature crafts, face painting and Kindermusik.
-In the Garden with Dave, 11 a.m. on Wednesdays through Nov. 25
Join Dave Forehand, vice president of gardens, as he highlights a section of the Arboretum every Wednesday morning.
THIS WEEK, Oct. 14: Butterfly Plants and Monarch Migration (Jonsson Color Garden)
-National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day, Wednesday, Oct. 14
Guests receive 10% off lunch at Restaurant DeGolyer, not including alcohol.
-C.C. Young Senior Thursdays, 9 – 11 a.m., Entry Plaza
Additional trams will be available from 9 – 11 a.m. for seniors, available in the Entry Plaza. There is also a special, senior-friendly tour at 11 a.m. on Thursdays, beginning in the Entry Plaza.
-Cool Thursdays Concert, Oct. 15, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
This week features the world’s premier Jimmy Buffet tribute band, The Landsharks, sponsored by Storage Assessments. Gates open at 6 p.m. Food trucks include Eat Jo Dawgs, Fried Pies For All and Bobaddiction. Bring the island to the lake by dressing in your best laidback tropical attire for a chance to win prizes. To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit www.dallasarboretum.org.
-Friday Fish Feedings, 1 p.m. on Fridays through Nov. 27
Help the Horticulture staff feed the garden’s aquatic friends every Friday in the Lay Family Garden. Be on the lookout for new koi getting ready to join others soon.
-Friday Pumpkin Painting, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Fridays through Nov. 27
Paint a pumpkin in the Pumpkin Village in Pecan Grove. First come, first served.
-Harvest Tea, Monday – Friday, through Nov. 25, seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join family and friends for a delicious, three-course seasonal tea service. Guests must be at least 13 years old. Advance reservations required by calling 214.515.6511 or sending an email to teas@dallasarboretum.org.
-Collegiate Pumpkin Display, Through Nov. 25
Guests can take a picture with their favorite team displayed on a pumpkin.
-Golden Hours, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Upcoming dates include, Oct. 20 and Nov. 4
The main gardens are open for special after-hours enjoyment and photography. This event is $7 for Members and $10 for non-members and is intended guests to enjoy the garden during sunset. Amateur photographers are welcome. Tickets are available at the gate and parking is included in the admission price.
-Free Garden Tours, 11 a.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays through Nov. 21 beginning in the Entry Plaza
THIS WEEKEND, October 16 - 18:
-Garden Melodies, Weekends through Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Martin Rutchik Concert Lawn
-Live Music, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 22, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Guests can enjoy live music in Woolf Circle featuring Spanish guitar and recognizable classics. As seen on Time.com, MTV News and Huffington Post, this weekend features Denton singer/songwriter, Joel Cross, who’s best known for his amazing combinations of acoustic, soul and blues.
-Yoga for Members, Saturdays through Oct. 31, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
RORY MEYERS CHILDREN’S ADVENTURE GARDEN:
-Colorful Canopy Lab, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., Oct. 13 – Nov. 18
Guests will learn how and why leaves change colors in the fall. Using chromatography, children will pull the pigments out of leaves in the Plant Lab, learning the world of colors to explore.
-Bastien and Bastienne, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Oct. 17
Performed by The Dallas Opera, guests will experience the magic of live opera with excerpts from Mozart’s Bastien and Bastienne in the Glade Puppet Theater.
Other activities this week include tadpole feedings, OmniGlobe presentations, story time, scavenger hunts, butterfly tagging, puppet shows and so much more.
For a complete list of Children’s Adventure Garden activities and times, visit http://www.dallasarboretum.org/named-gardens-features/the-rory-meyers-childrens-adventure-garden.
DISCOUNTS:
-Tom Thumb Discount, $1 off general garden admission tickets available at area Tom Thumb locations through Nov. 25
-Buy One Get One Free Wednesdays, through Nov. 25
Tickets can only be purchased onsite and are limited to one per customer.
-C.C. Young Senior Thursdays, through Nov. 19 on Thursdays
General admission tickets for $11 for those 65 and older along with a 20% discount at the Hoffman Family Gift Store.
State Fair Ticket Holder Discount, through Oct. 29 on Mondays – Thursdays Only
Guests can present an admission ticket stub from the 2015 State Fair of Texas and receive $2 off admission, Mondays through Thursdays.
Grandparent’s Discount, through Nov. 20 on Fridays
Grandparent’s receive free admission when they come with their grandchild.
Family and Friends of Educators Discount, through Oct. 16
Educators are invited to bring up to three guests for complimentary admission.
Wednesday Lunch Specials, through Nov. 18 on Wednesdays
Guests receive 10% off lunch at Restaurant DeGolyer, not including alcohol.
For more information on Autumn at the Arboretum or any of the events, call 214.515.6500 or visit http://www.dallasarboretum.org/visit/seasonal-festivals-events/autumn-at-the-arboretum.