Enjoy Our Fall Colors!
Our annual Autumn in the Botanic Garden festival kicks off Thursday, September 21 and runs through Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Garden hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays for Bands & Blooms.
Our 2023 Autumn in the Botanic Garden is presented by
Thank you to our BOOtanical Experience sponsor: Ferguson Subaru and Pumpkin Patch sponsor: Southwood Landscape & Nursery.
Scroll down for all the details !
Schedule of Events
Daily - Tuesday through Sunday
Tuesday-Sunday (included with regular admission): Explore our pumpkin-shaped straw hay maze and shop from over 14 varieties of pumpkins and gourds in the Pumpkin Patch sponsored by Southwood. See the display of over 30 scarecrows created by students, artists, families, friends, businesses and organizations and vote for your favorite to win this year’s People’s Choice Award. Pick up our fall-themed garden scavenger hunt and see what you can find while strolling through our lush gardens. Bring your camera for fun fall selfies! See our calendar for all October events.
Every Thursday: Bands & Blooms
Bands & Blooms features live music from 6-8 p.m. along with food and drink options, including beer, wine and cocktails. Food and drinks available for purchase – click here for menu. Visitors can bring chairs or blankets to enjoy music on the lawn or while strolling the Garden. Regular admission applies for Bands & Blooms – free for Garden members!
2023 Bands & Blooms Schedule:
Sept. 21: Desi and Cody
Sept. 28: Johnny Murrell
Oct. 5: Stephanie Oliver
Oct. 12: Music TBA
Oct. 19: Hot Toast Music Co
Oct. 26: Steve Liddell Duo
Rain won’t spoil our fun! If weather gets damp, we’ll move the fun inside our Mabee Grange bring an umbrella for a quick walk from our visitor center to the Grange where we’ll have music, food and drinks set up plus, you can paint a pumpkin while you enjoy Bands and Blooms. We will have pumpkins and paint sets for purchase, but please feel free to BYO Paint and Brushes!
Rain Day Pumpkin Painting Prices:
- Pumpkins vary $5-$35
- Paint Sets $10
Thursday evenings in October: BOOtanical Experience!
BOOtanical is sponsored by
Throw on your favorite costume and join us Thursday evenings in October as the Children’s Discovery Garden transforms into an enchanting garden for a BOOtanical Experience! Families can stroll through the lighted pathways and past non-spooky decorations to visit eleven BOOtanical booths including ghost origami, pictures with a costumed character, maggot painting, and games!
With a ticket to BOOtanical, each child gets a wristband and bag for carrying their crafts and prizes. Each child participating in BOOtanical Experience will need a BOOtanical ticket in addition to a regular admission ticket.
BOOtanical Experience tickets are: Garden Members: $8/child in advance; Same day: $10/child
Non-members: $10/child in advance; Same day ticket: $12/child (Parents do not need a BOOtanical ticket, just regular admission)
Oct. 5: Character visit: Maleficent 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 12: Character visit: Peter Pan & Tinker Bell 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 19: Character visit: Jack & Sally from a Nightmare Before Christmas 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 26: Character visit: Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus 6-8 p.m.
BOOtanical Experiences are rain or shine! Come dressed for weather. If needed, we will move activities inside our Mabee Grange building.