Events' Realm

Desert Botanical Garden is embarking on a new partnership with London-based pioneering artist studio ScanLAB Projects, bringing its groundbreaking visual and technical artwork here in 2025. The exhibit will be a first-of-its-kind in the Valley to connect science and nature at this scale in both indoor and outdoor environments.


In October 2023, ScanLAB Projects, led by cofounders Matt Shaw and William Trossell, started a unique experience for the Garden titled DESERT PULSE — a spatialized installation that displays footage of the desert landscape and desert flora in a remarkably new way using LiDAR 3D scanning.


ScanLAB Projects has selected 15 distinct sites across the Valley and at the Garden. These daily 3D scans will be recorded over a 12-month period. The recorded data will reveal unseen environmental changes — the result of human, natural and industrial processes — all impossible to see with the naked eye or through the lens of traditional cameras. The team will document cactus flowering and fruiting, shifting sediment patterns along the Salt River, recent fire-damaged desert and desert blooms. Locations include a desert development in Rio Verde, a saguaro growth monitoring site near Needle Rock, a recovering fire area in McDowell Mountain Preserve and a working landfill.


Through their specialized rendering techniques, ScanLAB Projects will turn the recorded data into breathtaking visuals that will be exhibited as an impressive multi-screen digital installation to be exhibited amongst the Garden’s plants and trails, as well as its new Exhibits Gallery.


DESERT PULSE is not just artwork, the data collected will contain empirical, measurable facts that can and will be used for research by the Garden’s team of scientists.

Phoenix

United States

Arizona

1201 N. Galvin Parkway

Desert Botanical Garden

Desert Pulse

Fun it up with Yak N Sup!!! We provide the adventure without the hassle.
Paddleboard or Kayak the coves of Canyon Lake in search of waterfalls and streams. This time of year, the snow melt leaves streams that run into Canyon Lake and the outcome is a beautiful sight to see. Our experienced tour guides will show you sides of Canyon Lake even some of the locals haven't navigated. This is an easy, beautiful paddle down inside the non-motorized boat area of Canyon Lake, the best lake in Arizona.
Tour starts at 10:30 a.m. Book online and show up at least 30 minutes prior to your reservation.
Please park in the 3rd row of the parking lot at the marina next to the Dolly Steamboat. Bring your credit card and ID for verification.


 

16802 AZ-88

Yak N Sup

Chasing Waterfalls 2.5 Hour Guided Kayak and/or Paddle Board Tour

Join us for Market Days at the base of the Tower!

We will be featuring over 40 local vendors from across San Antonio. Come browse, shop, and enjoy as you discover and support local businesses.

This is a FREE family-friendly event, happening throughout the year, with food and live music!

San Antonio

Texas

Tower of the Americas

Market Days

Santa's Secret Tracks to the North Pole are right here in Arizona!


The spirit of Christmas will be visible long before guests reach the depot grounds, brilliantly illuminated with colorful lights, luminaria and decorated with fun photo-ops. Festive holiday food items and yummy beverages are available for purchase at the station. Prior to boarding, families will tour a miniature village featuring 10 tiny houses on a town square offering an eagle’s eye-view of what the majestic birds, that live in our canyon, see in flight. A beautiful Christmas princess and "wild" animals including a bear, a burro and a bald eagle will greet the children as families arrive.


Children are asked to drop their “letters to Santa” in a mailbag which will be delivered to the North Pole during each train ride.


After savoring the festivity at the depot, it's time to board the train! This 1-hour, round-trip journey through a magic tunnel onto Santa's Secret Tracks to the North Pole and back is the perfect holiday excursion for even the tiniest tot. 


At the magical North Pole passengers will see 12 creatively-decorated buildings featuring of course Santa’s Workshop, Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, Naughty Kids Coal Mine, the Antler Inn, Reindeer Flight School, Ice Fishing Hut, Elf School and Ugly Sweater Factory to name a few!  Mrs. Claus and acrobatic elves will wave good-bye to Santa Claus as he boards the train for the return trip to Clarkdale. The man in the big red suit will interact with all the children and gift them with a little memento as a reminder of their Christmas Adventure aboard Verde Canyon Railroad. 


4:00, 5:30, 6:30  and 7:00 p.m. departures on various nights Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas Eve.

300 N. Broadway

Verde Canyon Railroad

The Magical Christmas Journey to the North Pole with Verde Canyon Railroad

Pleasant Grove

Utah

The Smith Grand Theater at The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater - Complex

Elf Jr.

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Las Vegas

Nevada

Ka Theatre at MGM Grand Hotel

Cirque du Soleil: KA

Stubhub

Join us for Naughty or Nice Drag Bingo — Phoenix's longest-running drag bingo event — hosted by Olivia Gardens with Barbra Seville.


Free to play for a chance to win prizes from Off Chute Too.


Masks required and enhanced cleaning procedures are in place.

Kobalt

Naughty or Nice Drag Bingo

Events

Happening now

Desert Pulse

Desert Pulse

Chasing Waterfalls 2.5 Hour Guided Kayak and/or Paddle Board Tour

Chasing Waterfalls 2.5 Hour Guided Kayak and/or Paddle Board Tour

Chasing Waterfalls 2.5 Hour Guided Kayak and/or Paddle Board Tour

Market Days

Market Days

This afternoon

The Magical Christmas Journey to the North Pole with Verde Canyon Railroad

The Magical Christmas Journey to the North Pole with Verde Canyon Railroad

The Magical Christmas Journey to the North Pole with Verde Canyon Railroad

Elf Jr.

Elf Jr.

Elf Jr.

Elf Jr.

This evening

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Cirque du Soleil: KA

Naughty or Nice Drag Bingo