Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

ArBOOretum
2021-10-23 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Last entry is 3:15 p.m.

FREE for Arboretum Members and children under 3No registration necessary for Members and children under 3

Become a Member

$15 online presale for nonmembers ages 3 and up $20 for nonmembers ages 3 and up at the door*

*We will only be accepting credit and debit card payments for ticket sales at the door.

Online Presale

Presale closes October 22nd at noon. Don’t delay!

No pets, please. This event is rain or shine.

Grab your costumes and get the kids together for the Arboretum’s biggest family event of the year! ArBOOretum features fun fall activities for all ages including live animals, pumpkin decorating, and Houston’s only Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail. Enjoy these fall classics and so much more!

Featured activities:

Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail

Train Rides

Pumpkin Decorating

Petting Zoo & Pony Rides

Halloween Market

Pumpkin Patch

Rock Wall

Comfortable walking shoes and costumes are encouraged! All activities are included with ticket price.

This event is rain or shine. If the event is cancelled, ticket price is considered a donation to the Arboretum. Tickets are non-refundable.

Food Trucks

Foreign Policy

Chalu’s Wings

Off The Leash Hot Dogs

Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ice

Roco’s Grill & Smokehouse

Parking

The Arboretum grounds will be closed to parking for ArBOOretum. Offsite parking at 1001 W Loop S will be available the day of the event. Ride sharing is also encouraged.

Limited handicap parking will be available at the Woodway Entrance.

Become a Sponsor

ArBOOretum is generously sponsored by:

Beyond Your Senses
2021-11-06 13:00 - 15:00
$20 member / $35 nonmember (per person)Instructor: Kelsey LowAges 12 and up

There’s a whole world beyond the reach of human senses: ultraviolet, infrared, ultrasound… Discover the hidden signals that are undetectable to us, but part of everyday life for non-human animals. In this hands-on class we’ll use blacklights to discover how “dull” birds really shine, special microphones to eavesdrop on bats, and even test strips to determine if any of us have a super-human sense of taste!

Class is no longer available. Click here for more adult programming!

Please dress for the weather and wear close-toed shoes.

Seasonal Picnics
2021-11-07 11:00 - 13:00, 2021-12-05 11:00 - 13:00
$65 member / $75 nonmember per picnic basket (for 2 people)Ages 21+ to receive Saint Arnold gift

Enjoy an all-inclusive lunchtime picnic at the Arboretum. Your experience is carefully curated with local charcuterie or sandwiches packaged in a sustainable antique picnic basket by A Bayou City Picnic. Lay out your picnic blanket and enjoy a delicious meal under the Arboretum trees.

Sunday, December 5

Charcuterie baskets include: 2 premium cold cut meats, 2 specialty artisanal cheeses, 2 waters, seasonal fruit and honey, crackers/bread, a small sweet treat, and 6 pack of Saint Arnold Beer.

Sandwich baskets include: 2 fresh chicken curry sandwiches, 2 bags of chips, 2 waters, seasonal fruit, a small sweet treat, and 6 pack of Saint Arnold Beer.

Vegetarian charcuterie and sandwiches available upon request. All picnic baskets include a complimentary six pack of seasonal or year-around beer from Saint Arnold Brewing. You may bring your own additional beverages or snacks.

Sponsored in part by A Bayou City Picnic & Saint Arnold Brewing Co.

If event is rained out, registration can be transferred to upcoming session. Refunds after registration closes must follow Arboretum guidelines and/or include the catering cost and associated credit card fees ($40 per basket).

Concert in the Courtyard
2021-11-12 18:00 - 21:00
Featuring Tomar and the FCs

with opener The Mighty Orq

Get your groove on while enjoying a fun concert at the Arboretum! This charity event features music from Tomar and the FCs, food trucks, raffle prizes, and more! Whether you upgrade to your very own VIP table or lay a blanket out on the lawn, this unique concert is the perfect outdoor experience.

$35 members / $45 nonmembersChildren attend free, pre-registration required for ages 3+Upgrade to a Standard Table: $50 includes a seated table for up to six guestsUpgrade to a VIP Table: $150 includes a seated table for up to six guests, a bottle of red or white wine, a charcuterie board to share, and a complimentary raffle ticket

Please note that all guests at the Standard and VIP Tables must be registered to enter the event.

Individual raffle tickets sold for $20 each

Each ticket includes complimentary beer and cider from Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Please note that no outside food or alcoholic beverages are allowed.

General Admission Tickets

Purchase a Standard Table

VIP Table Upgrade – $150 for up to 6 guests

Each VIP Table includes:

Table with seating for up to 6 guestsOne bottle of red or white wine (additional bottles and glasses can be purchased)Charcuterie board for table1 Raffle Ticket

Purchase a VIP Table

Food Truck:

Daranne’s Soul Rolls & Eats

Become a Sponsor

Tomar and the FCs is a soul band from Austin, TX. In 2016, they were picked out of hundreds of Austin entries to represent the city in NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert Series. Tomar and the FCs is a mainstay on the Austin music scene and has performed at Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Old Settlers, River Revival, and many other festivals.

Photo credit Mark Bebawi

Listen to Tomar and the FCs on Spotify!

With opener The Mighty Orq

The Mighty Orq is one of Texas’s most exceptional and hardest working talents. Born in Houston, Orq has a sound that is as diverse and unique as his home town. His performances include songs spanning numerous genres of music including country, folk, blues, jazz, rock and roll, and even hints of zydeco.

Animal Architects
2021-11-13 10:00 - 12:00
Children’s Program

$15 member / $25 nonmember (per child)Instructor Patti BonninAges 5-8

Registration opens on Tuesday, August 10 at 9 am for Arboretum Members. Nonmember registration opens Tuesday, August 17.

This class has SOLD OUT. A waitlist will be available until full.

Waitlist

Humans are not the only animals who build beautiful, intricate homes. The animal kingdom is full of amazing architects who build their homes using items found in nature. Learn about the amazing structures built by creatures big and small, and practice your building skills as we engineer our own versions of animal homes.

This program has indoor and outdoor components. Please come dressed for the out of doors, including closed-toe shoes.

This is a drop-off class. Parents and siblings are welcome to explore the Arboretum’s grounds on their own during class.

Family Full Moon Hikes
2021-11-19 17:30 - 19:00, 2021-12-18 17:30 - 19:00
$20 member / $30 nonmember (per family, up to 4 people; $5 per additional family member) Family Tree and above member level required for a discounted rate.Instructor: Patti BonninAll Ages

Explore the Arboretum trails at night while the moon is at its brightest. We will hit the trails as the sun is setting and watch night fall among the trees. Look for owls in the treetops and listen for the nightly serenade of frogs in the ponds. A light snack will be available.

Wednesday, October 20 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm – SOLD OUT

Friday, November 19 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm – SOLD OUT

Saturday, December 18 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm – SOLD OUT

Please come dressed for the outdoors including closed-toe shoes and jackets, if needed. Flashlights and headlamps are discouraged to allow our participants a chance to fully immerse in the nighttime experience. No dogs, please. Staff will carry flashlights in case of emergencies. In the event of severe weather, we will offer a reschedule date. Be prepared for walking; we recommend leaving strollers at home unless designed for trails.

Teacher Workshop: A Habitat's A Home
2021-12-02 17:00 - 19:00
Photo credit Brandon Huttenlocher

Free, registration requiredInstructor: Patti Bonnin

Bring nature explorations indoors as you learn about habitats during this teacher workshop! Discover creative ways to bring this topic into your classroom space by engaging your students with hands-on activities. Then head out on the trails for a short hike to explore Arboretum habitats from a nocturnal point of view.

The lesson plans in this workshop are designed for PreK and Kinder-aged students. Participants will receive curriculum to use in your classroom and materials to help get you started. Light snacks will be provided.

Register Online

Wild about Wildlife!
2021-12-04 10:00 - 12:00
$20 member / $30 nonmember (per family, up to 4 people; $5 per additional family member) Family Tree and above member level required for a discounted rate. Instructor: Patti BonninAll Ages

In honor of Wildlife Conservation Day we want to show our support for our local animals! Become a hero to native wildlife by helping improve their homes. In this program, families will discover the importance of protecting wildlife habitats by helping us clean the trails, learning about our native animals, and finding out how to create a healthy habitat in their own backyard! Each family will make a bird feeder and toad adobe to take home!

This class has SOLD OUT. A waitlist will be available until full.

Waitlist

This class will have indoor and outdoor components. Please dress for the weather.

DIY Candles
2021-12-18 15:00 - 17:00
$20 member / $35 nonmember (per person)Instructor: Kelsey LowAges 12 and up

Light up the darkest days of the year by making your own beautiful candles! In this fun class, we’ll melt soy wax and mix in scented oils and colors to make fancy glass jar candles. We’ll also make beeswax candles decorated with dried flower petals. This is a great way to make last-minute gifts!

Register Online

Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy.

Winter Tree ID
2022-01-08 10:30 - 12:30
$20 member / $35 nonmember (per person) Instructor: Lawson Taylor Ages 12 and up

Trees don’t always have leaves – so how do we ID bare trunks and branches? Come learn how to identify trees based on some not-so-obvious characteristics like twig morphology and get into the real nitty-gritty of tree ID. We’ll learn in the classroom and on the trails so we can practice on real trees in the wild.

Registration for this class is no longer available.

Class will be held rain or shine and will involve a short outdoor hike. Please dress for the weather.

Geocaching
2022-01-15 10:00 - 12:00
$30 member / $40 nonmember (per family, up to 4 people; $5 per additional family member)*Instructor: Patti Bonnin All Ages

Geocaching is a free, real-world outdoor treasure hunt. There are over 2 million caches hidden around the world! Learn the basics of geocaching and treasure hunting etiquette before heading out on the trails in search of the Arboretum’s hidden caches!

You can use the free Geocaching app on your smartphone to locate the geocaches. GPS units will also be available, if needed. Please come dressed for the outdoors, including closed-toe shoes. This is a family program; parents are required to attend program with children.

Register Online

*Must be a Family Tree Member or above for Member rate.

Family Full Moon Hikes
2022-01-17 17:30 - 19:00, 2022-02-16 18:00 - 19:30, 2022-03-18 19:00 - 20:30
$10 per person Instructor: Patti Bonnin All Ages

Explore the Arboretum trails at night while the moon is at its brightest. We will hit the trails as the sun is setting and watch the nightfall among the trees. Experience the thrilling sights, smells, and sounds of the Arboretum’s habitats after dark. “HOO” knows what animals we might encounter along the way!

All Family Full Moon Hikes have reached max capacity. Waitlists are available until filled.

Monday, January 17 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm – SOLD OUT

Wednesday, February 16 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm – SOLD OUT

Friday, March 18 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm – SOLD OUT

Please come dressed for the outdoors including closed-toe shoes and jackets, if needed. Red lights are allowed, but white flashlights and headlamps are discouraged to allow our participants a chance to fully immerse in the nighttime experience. Staff will carry flashlights in case of emergencies. No dogs, please. In the event of severe weather, we will offer a reschedule date. Be prepared for walking; we recommend leaving strollers at home.

The Wonders of Wetlands
2022-02-05 10:00 - 12:00
$30 member / $40 nonmember (per family, up to 4 people; $5 per additional family member)*Instructor: Jessie Meadows All Ages

Come explore the Houston Arboretum’s wetlands in honor of World Wetlands Day! Wetlands are one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world. They are also Mother Nature’s built-in filtration system and play an integral role in keeping our environment healthy. We will construct our own water filters and learn ways to help protect our local wetlands.

Please come dressed for the outdoors, including closed-toe shoes.

Register Online

*Must be a Family Tree Member or above for Member rate.

Bunnies & Bagels
2022-02-19 09:30 - 11:30
$20 member / $30 nonmember (per child)Instructor: Patti BonninAges 5-10

Hop on over to the Arboretum for bagels and bunnies! Discover fun facts about our native rabbits and examine biofacts before heading out on the trails in search of rabbit tracks, scat, and burrows. Make your very own rabbit scat model to take home!

Please come dressed for the outdoors, including closed-toe shoes. This is a drop-off class. Parents and siblings are welcome to explore the Arboretum’s grounds on their own.

Register Online

Backyard Birds
2022-02-19 10:30 - 12:30
$20 member / $35 nonmember (per person) Instructor: Kelsey LowAges 12 and up

Cardinals, jays, robins, and chickadees visit nearly every home in Houston. They are so familiar that we take them for granted…but what secrets lurk beneath the fluff of these backyard birds? It turns out that our common, “boring” birds are really mysterious and fascinating creatures. Join us to learn the secret language of jays, the passions and infidelities of chickadees, the expanding empire of cardinals, and the ridiculously complex “migration” of robins.

Registration for this class has SOLD OUT. A waitlist is available until filled.

Waitlist

Class will be held rain or shine and will involve an outdoor hike. Please dress for the weather.

Mindful Mornings at the Arboretum
2022-03-03 09:30 - 10:30, 2022-03-10 09:30 - 10:30, 2022-03-24 09:30 - 10:30
Thursday mornings from March 3 to April 28, skipping March 17 for Spring Break $10 member / $15 nonmember (per class) Instructor: Heather Sullivan Ages 12 and up

Join us for weekly mindfulness lessons in nature inspired by the “Forest Bathing” movements in South Korea and Japan. Restorative time in nature helps us to reground and find respite from our modern, hectic lives. Mindfulness teaches us how to be fully present and engaged in the moment, aware of our thoughts and feelings without distraction or judgment. Each week will focus on a different theme like grounding, breath, and emotions – building your skills across the eight-week series – but you can also take classes individually.

These classes have sold out for the Spring.

Register Online

Masks are optional. This class will take place mostly outdoors RAIN OR SHINE. Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

Instructor bio: Heather has trained with Mindful Schools, the UCLA marc Program, and is a certified mindfulness instructor by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach through the Awareness Training Institute and the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California at Berkeley. She is also a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. You can follow her on Instagram @mindfulgreenhouston or Facebook @mindfulgreen.

Art & Nature
2022-03-05 10:00 - 12:00
$20 member / $30 nonmember (per child)Instructor: Patti BonninAges 5-12

Nature is full of brilliant colors, delicate patterns, and bold designs. Explore the connections between art and nature as we use the world around us for creative inspiration. Go for a hike to study Arboretum organisms and incorporate what we observe in our works of art! We will even use natural materials like charcoal!

Please come dressed for the outdoors, including closed-toe shoes. This is a drop-off class. Parents and siblings are welcome to explore the Arboretum’s grounds on their own.

This class has SOLD OUT. A waitlist is available until filled.

Waitlist

Seasonal Picnics
2022-03-06 11:00 - 13:00, 2022-03-20 11:00 - 13:00
$65 member / $75 nonmember per picnic basket (for 2 people)Ages 21+ to receive Saint Arnold gift

Enjoy an all-inclusive lunchtime picnic at the Arboretum. Your experience is carefully curated with local charcuterie or sandwiches packaged in a sustainable antique picnic basket by A Bayou City Picnic. Lay out your picnic blanket and enjoy a delicious meal under the Arboretum trees.

Sunday, March 6

Sunday, March 20

Sunday, April 3

Sunday, April 10

Sunday, May 1

Sunday, May 15

Charcuterie baskets include: 2 premium cold cut meats, 2 specialty artisanal cheeses, 2 waters, seasonal fruit and honey, crackers/bread, a small sweet treat, and 6 pack of Saint Arnold Beer.

Sandwich baskets include: Choice of 2 fresh turkey sandwiches or 2 chicken curry sandwiches, 2 bags of chips, 2 waters, seasonal fruit, a small sweet treat, and 6 pack of Saint Arnold Beer.

Vegetarian charcuterie and sandwiches available upon request. All picnic baskets include a complimentary six pack of seasonal or year-around beer from Saint Arnold Brewing. You may bring your own additional beverages or snacks.

If event is rained out, registration can be transferred to upcoming session. Refunds after registration closes must follow Arboretum guidelines and/or include the catering cost and associated credit card fees ($40 per basket).

Sponsored in part by A Bayou City Picnic & Saint Arnold Brewing Co.

Repeating Patterns in Nature
2022-03-12 10:30 - 12:30
$20 member / $35 nonmember (per person) Instructor: Lawson Taylor Ages 12 and up

Ever wonder why lighting and trees branch in similar patterns or why snail shells look like whirlpools, hurricanes, and the Milky Way galaxy? In this class we will discuss repeating patterns in nature and the math behind them (but don’t worry – you don’t need to be a math whiz to follow the discussion). We’ll take an especially close look at why certain patterns are common and others are not.

Register Online

Class will be held rain or shine and will involve a short outdoor hike. Please dress for the weather.

Teen Trail Team
2022-03-15 13:00 - 16:00
Free, registration requiredInstructor: Trevor RubenstahlAges 13-18

Take part in the Arboretum’s conservation efforts this spring! Work closely with staff members on an outdoor project to help maintain important native habitat on site. Projects may include: planting native plants, enhancing habitat for native animals, or removing invasive plant species.

Can’t make it out this spring? Check back for our Summer Teen Trail Team session or learn more at the Summer Volunteer Open House on Saturday, March 26th.

Register Online

This will be an outdoor event; facemasks will be optional.

Birding is for Everyone
2022-03-19 09:30 - 11:30
$20 member / $35 nonmember (per person) Instructor: Kelsey Low Ages 12 and up

Getting started with bird watching can be a bit intimidating. You need expensive binoculars, great eyesight, and the ability to trek over hard trails…right? WRONG! In this class, we’ll learn about the many ways you can get into birding that don’t require expensive equipment or even leaving your house. You can go birding without taking a step, you can identify birds without using your eyes, and you can “hear” birds without using your ears! We’ll learn all this in the classroom and then go outside for a “Big Sit” to practice our new birding techniques.

The class has SOLD OUT. Love birds? Click on the buttons below for information about our upcoming Owl Prowls!

Family Owl Prowl – May 14th

Adult Owl Prowl – May 21st

Class will be held rain or shine. Please dress for the weather.

Frogs & Fairytales
2022-03-19 10:00 - 12:00
$30 member / $40 nonmember (per family, up to 4 people; $5 per additional family member) Instructor: Patti Bonnin All Ages

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Calling all Princes, Princesses, and frogs to join us at the Houston Arboretum as we celebrate World Frog Day! Come dressed as your favorite storybook character to learn more about our amphibian friends. This family program will include a story, fun froggy crafts, and pond dipping for tadpoles!

This class has SOLD OUT. A waitlist is available until filled.

Waitlist

Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Please make sure to wear appropriate footwear! This is a family program; parents are required to attend program with children.

Armadillo Adventures
2022-03-20 10:30 - 12:30
$8 per person, all family members must be registered to attendInstructor: Patti Bonnin and Ryley WilsonAll ages

Have you heard of a singing armadillo? Experience the story of Sandy, an armadillo whose passion for music sends him on a journey in hopes of achieving his dream of performing on stage. Houston Grand Opera’s interactive performance will have you believing wishes do come true! Afterwards, children will learn more about these armored mammals with hands-on activities and an armadillo-themed hike.

Register Online

Online registration closes Friday, March 18 at 3 pm. A limited number of tickets may be available after registration closes. Please call the Front Desk at 713-681-8433 for more information.

This program is perfect for our preschool-age visitors and their families. Please come dressed for the outdoors, including closed-toe shoes. This is a family program; parents are required to attend program with children.
