5 Fun Ways to Find Your True Nature This Season
Every great city deserves a great garden. And Downtown Des Moines (DSM) has one that’s truly “Greater.” Why? While we all love our wonderful state, let’s face it, our weather can be a bit (ahem) unpredictable. You can be caught in hot, wet, cold and stormy weather — sometimes all in the same day! What’s an Iowan to do? Go for a sure thing. You can count on an always friendly climate at The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden where you can peel away the layers and emerge in a space of botanical beauty. But beyond the urban oasis, what else is there to do? We’ve got something for everyone this fall and winter including events, classes and some things we’ve never even done before!
Introducing Boo-tanical Brews … the grown-up answer to Trick or Trees
We LOVE Halloween season. So, this year, we thought we’d ‘pumpkin-spice’ it up a bit beyond the family event during the day. Of course, we are still inviting kiddos and their families to stop by between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for Trick or Trees on October 26, 2024 to enjoy educational activities, magical entertainment and trick-or-treating — all indoors!
Costumes encouraged, and no long johns needed (unless that’s part of your look). Check out all the different things going on throughout the day at this link and remember — activities are included with admission. We will also have food vendors on site:
Food & Drinks for Purchase
Want to keep the fun going, or looking for the perfect place to kick off Halloween 2024? Then make sure to mark your calendars for Boo-tanical Brews, also on October 26, 2024, but from 7 – 10 p.m. This 21+ party lets you sample seasonal brews from local breweries, plus enjoy mystical and enchanting entertainment throughout the spook-tacularly decorated dome. You can purchase additional drinks and food from local favorites. Dress up for the costume contest and see if you win! Find out more and get your tickets here.
Breweries
Food & Drinks for Purchase
Treat Yourself with Class(es)
Take your season up a notch — try something new! Whether you’re looking for a way to work out, create something for your home or as a gift, or just want to do something different, we’ve got you. Here are a few programs that will surely sell out quickly. Make sure to not miss out on the one that speaks to you. Tell your friends to come along — they’ll be glad they did. Take your in-laws out and impress them with your ability to organize something they will really want to do. Transform your home for the Fallidays and beyond. Have an answer for your kids when they start with, “There’s nothing to do!”
Halloween Happy Hour
On Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2024 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. OR 7 – 8 p.m., perfect for a date night or an event with friends! Enjoy a glass of wine and discover the creepy and ghoulish side of the botanical world. After feeding some hungry carnivorous plants, couples will take home a carnivorous plant. Register HERE.
Zumba
On Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 from 8 – 9 a.m. Enjoy the beauty of the space as you move your way toward wellness. Limited space. Register HERE.
Fall Wreath Making
On Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Create a beautiful grapevine wreath crafted with all-natural materials. Register HERE.
Story Sprouts
On Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 from 10:30 – 11 a.m. Fun, interactive story time that explores nature and plants including an activity based on the week’s theme. Geared toward children ages two to five. Included with daily admission. No registration required.
Winter Botany for Birds
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Learn what plants create essential habitats for birds to survive winter, birds you might encounter in your backyard, and how to attract birds into your neck of the woods! Register HERE.
Botanical Trivia Night
On Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. Form teams consisting of five of your best botanical buds and enjoy a fun, knowledgeable evening. Register HERE.
ARTrageous! Winter Break Art Camp for Kids
Campers spend two days of their school holiday enjoying our warm garden space while exploring a variety of art mediums and using the tropical flora as inspiration! Classes are for those enrolled in first through fifth grade and will take place Thursday, Dec. 26 and Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. OR Monday, Dec. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Limited space. HURRY — spots fill fast. Find out more here.
Welcome to Champagne & Chocolate
Join us for a festive and enlightening gala that helps us grow! This bright and energetic celebration is the perfect experience to start the giving season. Delight in an elegant evening event as you enjoy the Garden, scrumptious food and drink, all things sweet, and eclectic entertainment. This big night raises vital funds for outreach, education, horticulture and community programs that benefit all ages and walks of life. Please make it part of your holiday festivities and become a sponsor or buy your tickets today.
NEW! NEW! NEW! The Only Indoor Conservatory Light Display in Central Iowa
Imagine how much you all will enjoy taking off your coat, unwrapping your scarf and immersing yourself in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s NEW dazzling family holiday tradition – Dome for the Holidays! Stroll through a transformed tropical garden space as you enjoy a dynamic display of thousands of twinkling lights, an incredible collection of blown glass sculptures from Hot Glass, festive music, train display, gnome hunt, refreshments and more.
This is sure to be a sought-after, unforgettable family tradition, as it's the perfect way to experience all the magic of the season, without any of the weather. What could be better?
Tickets are on sale now but get yours early to get the days and times you want. It opens November 16 and runs through December 31, 2024. Main evenings are Wednesday through Sundays, and closed Monday and Tuesday with some exclusions and additions.
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Closed: Nov. 22 and 28, 2024 and Dec. 5, 24 and 25, 2024.
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Additional Evenings: Mondays, Dec. 23 and 30, 2024 and Tuesday, Dec.31, 2024.
Tickets are $15 per adult, $9 for youth, and children under one are free. Members receive $3 off ticket prices. Tickets must be purchased in advance and timed ticketing applies. You can find out more at this link.
Don’t forget to grab a pic with our “dome globe” window art and tag us on social and add #DomeForTheHolidays to your post!
Grab a Bite at Our Great New Restaurant: Flora
HoQ, the East Village farm-to-table restaurant co-owners Cynthia and Suman Hoque (pictured below), are opening up their NEW restaurant, Flora, this December. While they are still determining the changes to the space formerly occupied by Trellis, it will be open for lunch Wednesday through Fridays to start. They’re looking at also offering weekday happy hours and weekend brunch with a full bar.
Chef Suman has built strong ties with local farmers and food artisans and plans to extend that connection to Flora. You will get to enjoy veggie-centric dishes with a variety of locally sourced meats. The regular menu will change, keeping offerings fresh, but honor Midwestern tastes inspired by chef Suman’s mother’s cooking in Bangladesh. Expect comfort-classics, house-made breads and made-from scratch meals for kids.
Make sure to include this tasty new addition with your Botanical Garden visit.
Grow the Gardener in YOU
Winter is the best time to dream big about your home garden. Growing the Gardener in You
is the theme for the Learn on Saturdays 2025 program at the Botanical Garden. Spend your Saturday mornings in January and February, getting out from the cold and into learning from experts on what will help you grow your gardening practices, understand sustainable gardening techniques, add more eco-friendly practices and keep your garden adapting to changing Iowa conditions. Check for speaker lineup updates on our website here. Come learn with us!
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Price per Saturday Jan. 4 – Feb. 15, 2025: $12 member | $18 nonmember
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Keynote single-day Saturday: $30 member | $40 nonmember
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Season pass includes all 8 weeks!: $100 member | $150 nonmember
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Tickets include: in-person, virtual and recorded viewing options.
Some of your all-time faves will be back come January 2025!
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Dome After Dark will light up Friday Nights starting Jan. 3, 2025 and running through the end of March 2025.
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Botanical Blues is back and better than ever beginning Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
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Check out our Calendar of Events here to find even more to enjoy.
We hope you’re inspired to explore what’s right in your neighborhood offering a variety of things to do, no matter the season, no matter the weather, no matter who’s tagging along for the ride! Look for our banners featured on Locust Avenue starting this November to direct you to our door. We invite you to come and Find Your True Nature at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden — we look forward to seeing you soon.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or LinkedIn. Want to find out more? Go to dmbotanicalgarden.com. Questions? Email us at info@dmbotanicalgraden.com.
There are so many fun events specific to Downtown DSM. Attend annual events like the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market, World Food & Music Festival and Holiday Promenade or find live music happening each week through the "Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.
Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a growing, vibrant community that offers the energy, sophistication, housing and attractions of a burgeoning city with a brilliant future. It’s also easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options. Find event information and follow @downtownDSMUSA on Facebook and Instagram for other news, tips and events happening downtown.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is more than a dome, it’s the connection point between plants, people and the natural world. It’s a space where one can explore, create, connect and Find Your True Nature in an always-friendly climate.