Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

Manos a la Tierra: Volunteer Conservation Day
2025-09-13 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Gratis18 años +

El Arboreto y Centro de Naturaleza de Houston es una reserva natural sin fines de lucro de 155 acres que protege hábitats de bosques, praderas, sabanas y humedales. Como parte de la Semana de la Conservación Latina, lo invitamos a unirse a nuestro equipo de voluntarios para trabajar junto con nuestro Equipo de Conservación en la restauración de más de 5 millas de senderos peatonales. Recibirá el equipo necesario, instrucciones claras y supervisión del personal del Arboreto. El trabajo requiere esfuerzo físico y la capacidad de caminar y trabajar en terrenos irregulares.

FreeAges 18+

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is a 155-acre nonprofit nature sanctuary that protects forest, prairie, savanna, and wetland habitats. As part of Latino Conservation Week, we invite you to join our volunteer team and work alongside our Conservation Team to help restore over 5 miles of walking trails. You will receive the necessary equipment, clear instructions, and supervision from Arboretum staff. This work requires physical effort and the ability to walk and work on uneven terrain.

register online

Going Batty!
2025-09-13 18:00 - 20:00
$37 member / $52 nonmemberInstructor: DeAndra RamseyAges 21+

Did you know that bats are the pollinators of the tequila agave? Enjoy a delicious tequila popsicle as you listen to a local bat expert discuss the important role of bats in our ecosystem as pest control, seed dispersers, and pollinators. Then go on a bat hike and use special detectors to listen to bat sonar over the Arboretum.

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

register online

Keep the batty fun going by joining us for our free, family-friendly Bat Fest on Saturday, September 27 from 10 am – 2 pm.

Instructor Bio: DeAndra Ramsey attended Texas A&M University where she obtained her B.S in Biomedical Science. DeAndra has worked in the conservation community for over 15 years. She began her career at Houston Zoo in 2010, where she was involved in many conservation initiatives ranging from pollinator conservation to habitat restoration. She was awarded the title of Conservation Champion due to her work with the Texas Bat Monitoring project she led at the Houston Zoo along with facilitating the partnership between the Houston Zoo and Bat Conservation International. DeAndra also works with Buffalo Bayou Partnership to further conservation education efforts in relation to our amazing urban wildlife we have right here in Houston. DeAndra was the Executive Director of the Hana and Arthur Ginzbarg Nature Discovery Center from 2021-2025.

Big Owl Noche de Loteria
2025-09-13 18:00 - 20:00
Big Owl Craft Brew House1848 Airline Dr. Suite CHouston, TX 77009

Gratis21 años y más

¡Únete a nosotros para una noche divertida de Lotería de Conservación Latina en la cervecería! Disfruta de buena música, refrescos y cervezas artesanales mientras juegas y aprendes sobre la conservación, cultura latina y la naturaleza. Ven con amigos y compite en esta tradicional lotería llena de color, risas y conciencia ambiental. ¡No te lo pierdas!

FreeAges: 21+

Join us for a fun night of Latino Conservation Lotería at the brewery! Enjoy great music, refreshments, and craft beers while you play games and learn about conservation, Latino culture, and nature. Bring friends and compete in this traditional lotería filled with color, laughter, and environmental awareness. Don’t miss it!

Noche De Descubrir
2025-09-18 17:00 - 19:00
GratisLos menores de 12 años o menos deben ir acompañados de un adulto.

¡Únete a nuestra Noche de Descubrir! Como parte de la Semana de la Conservación Latina, abriremos nuestro Centro de Naturaleza de 5:00 p.m. a 7:00 p.m. para que familias puedan explorar el Cuarto de Descubrimiento, un espacio lleno de actividades interactivas y educativas. ¡No te lo pierdas!

FreeChildren 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Join us for Discovery Night! As part of Latino Conservation Week, we’re opening our Nature Center from 5:00-7:00 pm for families to explore the Discovery Room—a space filled with interactive and educational activities. Don’t miss it!

Bat Fest
2025-09-27 10:00 - 14:00
Free, no registration requiredAll ages welcome

From pollinating to pest control, bats play an important role in keeping our ecosystems healthy! Join the Houston Arboretum and our community partners to learn more about local bat species and current conservation efforts being made to help stop the decline of bat populations. There will be fun bat-themed activities and crafts for the kids, story time, food trucks, and a blood drive with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

Want more bat-themed fun in your life? Join us Saturday, September 13 for Going Batty, a fun event complete with a bat expert and adult beverages.

Presented By

Fall Plant Sale
2025-10-03 09:00 - 2025-10-04 14:00
Friday & Saturday, October 3 & 49:00 am – 2:00 pm

Fall is one of the best times to garden in Houston, so pick up some plants at our Fall Plant Sale! A variety of Texas natives will be featured, including perennial and annual wildflowers (including milkweed), grasses, shrubs, and trees – perfect for attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators to your yard or garden while helping to conserve water, reduce mowing, protect the soil, and save money on fertilizer and pesticides. Proceeds benefit the Arboretum’s conservation and education efforts. Members receive discounts on all Plant Sale purchases!

Plant List

Please note that this plant list is subject to change and quantities may be limited.

plant pricing

4-inch$4.501-gallon$14Milkweed$163-5 gallon$30

All proceeds support the Houston Arboretum’s dual mission of conservation and education.

Plant Sale Tips

Arrive early for your best chance at getting your desired plants

Become a Member for discounts on Plant Sale purchases

Enter via the 610 Entrance and park along the parking loop for easy access to the Plant Sale

Bring your own cart if you have one! Limited carts will be available to transport plants at the sale.

Second Saturday Bird Survey
2025-10-11 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-12-13 08:00 - 10:00
Work on your bird watching skills while helping the Arboretum monitor bird populations on a fun, relaxed morning walk. Join us on the second Saturday of each month in the courtyard behind the building for a two-hour bird survey led by Arboretum staff members, Kelsey Low and Theo Ostler. We welcome all levels of bird watching skill and all ages (as long as you’re quiet) – but no dogs, please! If you have binoculars of your own, please bring them. We have a limited number of binoculars available to borrow.

2nd Saturday of the month8:00 – 10:00 amFree, but donations appreciatedInstructors: Kelsey Low & Theo OstlerMeet in front of the Nature Center building

Pumpkin Planters
2025-10-11 13:00 - 14:30
$47 member / $67 nonmember (per planter; we recommend no more than 2 people per planter)Ages 5+

What better way to celebrate our fall bounty than with pumpkins and wildflowers? In this class we’ll learn how to properly plan, plant, and care for three species of native plants in a cute artificial pumpkin container, and then we’ll decorate our mini-gardens with ribbons, glass pebbles, and more.

Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy.

register online

ArBOOretum
2025-10-18 10:00 - 16:00
Last entry is 3:00 pm.No pets, please. This event is rain or shine.

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

*Arboretum Members should have their physical or digital Membership Card on hand for easy check in upon arrival.

become a member

$20 for nonmembers ages 3 and up*

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

Online presale

Online ticket sales will end on Friday, October 17. Tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

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

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

Carnival Swings

Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail

Halloween Market

Live Animal Encounters

Pumpkin Decorating

Face Painting

Photo Booth

Lawn Games

Train Rides

Food Trucks & Refreshments

Comfortable walking shoes and costumes are encouraged! There will be no onsite parking – see below for parking and shuttle details.

Interested in volunteering at ArBOOretum? Visit our Group Volunteers page and scroll down to the bottom to see our seasonal group volunteer opportunities!

a zero waste event

ArBOOretum is going Zero Waste this year! That means that the Arboretum is trying to divert at least 90% of the event’s trash from ending up in a landfill. Instead, we will be working with Zero Waste Houston to compost and recycle most of the waste from the event. Help us achieve a Zero Waste ArBOOretum by bringing a reusable water bottle and taking all of your waste to one of our festival’s Zero Waste Stations, where staff will help you sort it into the correct receptacle.

parking

Public Parking

1850 Post Oak Park Drive

Shuttles will be running throughout the day.

Elevator access available at the garage.

ADA Parking & Rideshare Access

4501 Woodway Drive

No other public parking or access.

food trucks

Berry’s Ices

Foreign Policy

Peppaz HTX

Texasiana Famous Food

The Toasted HTX

Uncle Louie G’s

Halloween Market

3 Shades of Crazy

Angie Spears

Apiece Puzzles

Calen

Eve Luxe Co.

Houston SPCA

Kaftan Kouture

LH Candle Studio

Math to the Point

National Museum of Funeral History

Otterwell Studio

Pet Wants WU

Popston

Renewal by Anderson of Houston

Rex and Bandon

Sugar and Fluff Lab

T’s Crafty Creations

UNICEF USA

Vibe & Glo Candle Studio

Worth the Calories

Your Unique Crystals

Please email Teri Hogan to learn more about having a booth at ArBOOretum’s Halloween Market.

become a sponsor

Interested in becoming an ArBOOretum sponsor? Open the Sponsorship Package below for more information. Please email Chasmine Anderson with any questions.

Sponsorship Package

sponsors

Presenting

Supporting

General

Zero Waste

Halloween Sip & Stroll
2025-10-30 17:30 - 19:30
$40 member / $45 nonmemberAges 21+

Enjoy a twilight hike on the Arboretum trails. Your spooky stroll will include a curated nature hike, two glasses of wine or Saint Arnold beer, and festive bites. Come for a meet-and-greet with our ambassador animals, then head out on your hike to spot critters along the route!

sold out

This event is rain or shine. Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. Halloween costumes encouraged!

dietary options

Charcuterie cups may include allergens such as dairy, gluten, and nuts. A limited number of vegetarian cups will be offered upon request. Please email us at least 48 hours before the event to request vegetarian or vegan options.

parking

Parking is free for all guests on Thursdays. Please do not leave valuables in your car.

sponsors

Create smiles and capture memories at our event with Showtime Photo Booth, the premier photo booth rental service since 2013. Their innovative photo setups have made a mark at events in Indianapolis, Dallas, Raleigh, and Nashville.

Wild Tea
2025-11-01 13:00 - 15:00
$37 member / $47 nonmemberAges 12+, all minors must be accompanied by an adult

Discover how simple it is to prepare herbal tea using wild plants and garden herbs from your own backyard! In this class you’ll learn how to identify a few safe native and garden plants to use for tea, how to harvest them, and how to prepare the tea.

Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy and dress for the weather.

register online

Tapas on the Trails Member Preview
2025-11-21 17:30 - 19:30
An exclusive event for the Arboretum’s Loblolly, Redbud, and Live Oak MembersAges 21+

As a special thank you for being some of the Arboretum’s biggest supporters, Loblolly, Redbud, and Live Oak Members are invited to experience a taste of Tapas on the Trails before anyone else! Join us for the unveiling of our 2026 Tapas on the Trails menu and the opportunity to enjoy a few of the menu items and specialty sips before before Tapas on the Trails tickets go on sale. You will also have the opportunity to engage with experts from Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Double Decanted, and Cotton Culinary before embarking on a starlit self-guided hike.

Arboretum Members at the Loblolly, Redbud, and Live Oak levels will receive an email invitation at the end of October with a link to RSVP. If you have not received your invitation to register, or have joined, renewed, or upgraded after Monday, October 27, please contact membership@houstonarboretum.org.

Sponsors & Partners

Coffee Chocolate Truffles
2025-11-22 15:00 - 17:00
$37 member / $47 nonmemberAges 12+, minors must be accompanied by an adult

Coffee and chocolate are a match made in heaven! Try them yourself as you learn how to make simple and delicious truffles. We’ll use our own Early Bird Blend from Katz Coffee, so the truffles will be tasty AND bird-friendly!

Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy.

sold out

Sip Under the Supermoon
2025-12-04 17:00 - 19:00
Free, Members OnlyRSVP RequiredAges 21+

Celebrate the season with an exclusive Members-only evening during the Supermoon — when the full Moon is at the closest point to Earth along its orbit. Enjoy complimentary drinks, light refreshments, and a festive seasonal craft. Then take a self-guided stroll to the Meadow Deck for a glowing view of the moonrise.

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. The event will take place rain or shine.

Register Online

Not a Member? Become a Member today and then RSVP for this fun event!

Homemade Holidays
2025-12-06 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-12-06 13:00 - 14:30
$27 member / $42 nonmember / $11 child (5-12)Ages 5+, minors must be accompanied by an adult

Natural elements can really spruce up your holiday decorations and gift-giving! With hands-on guidance and materials like grapevine, branches, berries, and pinecones, you will create a wreath, ornaments, and handmade gifts.

Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy.

11:00 am – 12:30 pm

1:00 pm- 2:30 pm

Tyke Hikes
2025-12-08 09:30 - 10:15, 2025-12-08 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-12-15 09:30 - 10:15, 2025-12-15 10:30 - 11:15
For children 18 months – 4 years

Encourage your child’s curiosity about nature and spend time with them exploring outdoors! Children with an adult companion can join a naturalist for a story reading, a simple nature or sensory development activity, and a stroller-friendly hike on the beautiful Arboretum trails. Arrive dressed in close-toed shoes and comfortable play clothes. Be prepared for the weather including hat, sunscreen, jackets, raincoat, or rain boots, as needed.

Select Mondays9:30 am-10:15 am10:30 am-11:15 am

pricing

Free for Family Tree Members and above (please have member card on hand)$7 per child for nonmembers, pay at the door (18 months and up; younger siblings welcome)

No registration necessary, however admittance will be limited to 20 children per session. Registration will be held in front of Beautyberry Classroom. Doors will close 15 minutes after starting class or when the sign up is full. Siblings older than 4 years may not participate in the sensory activity.

upcoming hikes

Tyke Hikes on January 26, 2026 have been canceled.

January 12, 19, 26February 2, 9, 23March 16, 23, 30April 6, 13, 20May 4, 11, 18

TYKE HIKES EN ESPAÑOL!

Is your child wild about nature? The Arboretum is the natural place to celebrate a birthday.

Arbor Cup Golf Tournament
2025-12-10 10:00 - 18:00
Memorial Park Golf CourseFour-person scramble format with pre-registration required$2,500 single-team entry

Bring together a team of friends, co-workers, or clients for an enjoyable afternoon of golf at the world class Memorial Park Golf Course. Hosted at the site of the Houston Open PGA Tournament, Arbor Cup will have exclusive access to course amenities, an open-grill dinner from Beck’s Prime, and premium raffle prizes.

Arbor Cup Highlights

Tournament check in and light brunch begins at 10:00 am with a scramble start at 11:30 am.

Open bar, dinner, player gifts, and golf cart rentals are included with each team entry.

The tournament concludes with awards, raffle prizes, and dinner around 5:00 pm.

Arbor Cup Golf Tournament is a four-person scramble format. Pre-registration is required. With a limited number of teams available, priority registration will be given to those who register by the deadline of October 31.

Single-entry Team

Each single-entry team includes one team of four, two golf carts, dinner for each player, and a specialty selection of gifts.

Handicaps and team names must be emailed to Chasmine Anderson at canderson@houstonarboretum.org by Wednesday, November 26.

sponsorship

Review the Sponsorship Package for detailed information about Arbor Cup sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship payments may be made online or via check.

Sponsorship package Pdf

become a sponsor

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, or for other questions, please contact Chasmine Anderson at 713-366-0372 or by email at canderson@houstonarboretum.org.

Guided Nature Hikes en español
2025-12-13 10:00 - 10:45, 2025-12-13 11:00 - 11:45
Sábados selectos (clima permitiendo)10:00 am – 10:45 am y 11:00 am – 11:45 amGratisPara todas edades. Los menores de edad deben ir acompañados de un adulto.Las caminatas están limitadas a 20 lugares por orden de llegada.

El punto de reunión es en el letrero informativo que está entre el estacionamiento del lado de la Interestatal 610 y el edificio del Centro de la Naturaleza.

Explora con nosotros en una caminata por el Arboreto. ¡Aprenda sobre la naturaleza, las plantas y la historia de nuestro hermoso centro natural con un guía! Las caminatas variarán, pero espere pasar entre 40 y 45 minutos en el sendero. Las caminatas son gratuitas para el público y se otorgan por orden de llegada.

Venga preparado para estar en el aire libre (se recomiendan zapatos cerrados, una botella de agua, repelente de insectos, etc.).

Caminata Guiada

La Caminata Guiada del 13 de diciembre ha sido cancelada. Por favor acompáñenos en otra caminata en 2026.

Inglés

Enero 10Febrero 21Marzo 14Abril 4Mayo 9

Español

Enero 31Febrero 28Marzo 21Abril 11Mayo16

No se permiten grupos. Los grupos interesados ​​en reservar un tour privado durante la semana pueden comunicarse con Kelsey Low.

Guided Nature Hikes in english

Yoga on the Lawn
2025-12-14 09:00 - 10:00
Free for members / $15 nonmemberAges 16+, minors must be accompanied by an adult

Join us for a grounding yoga practice surrounded by the beautiful sounds and sights of nature! Taught by Carolina Vennie of Yogaleena, this class will be a Vinyasa Flow that is accessible to all levels.

Please bring your own mat and water. This class is weather dependent and pre-registration is required.

december 14

March 22

April 26

May 17

If the event is canceled due to the weather, paid attendees may attend next month’s session. No refunds will be given.

Instructor bio: Through Carolina Vennie’s quirky humor and playful instruction, you will learn to strengthen your body while relaxing your mind, increase your flexibility and freedom of movement, and find that sweet spot between effort and ease that you can apply on and off the mat. Carolina’s teaching is influenced by years of practice in Washington D.C. studios and a deep desire to share with others the importance of self-discovery, exploring your creativity, trusting your intuition, and the life-changing benefits of yoga.

Tyke Hikes en español
2025-12-14 14:00 - 14:45
Para niños de 18 meses a 4 años.

¡Fomenta la curiosidad de tu hijo por la naturaleza y pasa tiempo explorando al aire libre! Niños, junto a un acompañante adulto, pueden unirse a un naturalista para escuchar un cuento, participar en una actividad sensorial o relacionada con la naturaleza, y disfrutar de una caminata para cochecitos por los hermosos senderos del Arboreto. Ven vestido con zapatos cerrados y ropa cómoda para jugar. Prepárate para el clima, incluyendo sombrero, protector solar, chaquetas impermeables, o botas de lluvia, según sea necesario. Cada semana podrás disfrutar de una nueva e interesante experiencia natural, con temas como estanques, serpientes, sentidos y Viento.

Domingos seleccionados para Tyke Hikes en español.2:00-2:45 pm

Gratis para miembros / $7 por niño no miembro (a partir de 18 meses; se admiten hermanos menores)

Clases

Tyke Hikes el 26 de enero de 2026 ha sido cancelada.

Enero 25Febrero 8Marzo 22Abril 12Mayo 17

TYKE HIKES In English!

Is your child wild about nature? The Arboretum is the natural place to celebrate a birthday.

Educator Workshop
2025-12-18 17:00 - 19:00
Free, registration requiredInstructor: Tiffany RitterAges 21+

All educators are welcome at our Educator Workshops; classroom teachers, outdoor educators, scout leaders, homeschool parents – anyone who wants to learn fun, hands-on ways to teach children about science and nature.

A different science theme will be explored each month; whether it’s ecosystems, organisms, composting, or earth science, our workshops are the most fun way to learn!

The Arboretum’s workshops include:

Engaging outdoor activities

Fun curriculum ideas

Inter-disciplinary connections to the natural world

Light snacks and beverages provided

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is an approved CPE provider for Texas Education Association. Teachers who attend our workshops receive official CPE credits and proof of attendance for each workshop.

Please wear closed-toe shoes as we will be walking on trails.

2025

december 18

2026

January 15

February 19

March 19

April 23

May 21

Space is limited, please only register if you plan to attend. If your plans change and you are no longer able to attend, email agreer@houstonarboretum.org

sponsored by

Liz & Louis Weisberg

DIY Paper
2025-12-20 10:00 - 12:00
$37 member / $47 nonmemberAges 12+, all minors must be accompanied by an adult

Add a touch of nature to holiday cards, gift tags, and other festive accents by making your own botanical paper! We’ll use recycled pulp, plant seeds, dried flower petals, and more to create one-of-a-kind art paper.

Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy.

register online

Christmas Bird Count
2025-12-28 06:00 - 12:00
6:00 am-9:00 am9:00 am-12:00 pm

FREE, registration requiredAges 12+All minors must be accompanied by an adult

The 126th annual Christmas Bird Count is here! Join us to help collect data for the longest running community science project in the world. We welcome all birding skill levels. We will split into teams to find, identify, and count as many birds as we can find along our five miles of trails.

There will be two “shifts”: an early 6:00 am start to look for American Woodcock in the Meadow, and a later 9:00 am start. You can sign up for one or both shifts. We will meet at the Administration Building Staff & Volunteer Entrance (just head to the Nature Center Courtyard and you’ll see us getting ready). We recommend bringing your own binoculars, but we will have some available to borrow. Cameras are strongly encouraged!

We will meet rain or shine – dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes. We recommend bringing layers, a hat, and a change of shoes if conditions are wet. Bring a water bottle and snacks.

register online

Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification Series
2026-01-03 10:00 - 12:00
Second Saturday of the month January-April10:00 am – 12:00 pm$160 member / $220 nonmemberAges 16+; minors must be accompanied by an adult

Make your New Year’s resolution to help the environment a reality! This series of classes will take you step-by-step through the process of planning, planting, and maintaining a backyard wildlife habitat that meets National Wildlife Federation certification standards. At the end of the series, you will receive your own Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat sign!

January 3 – PlanningFebruary 7 – Food & Nesting PlacesMarch 7 – Water & ShelterApril 4 – Sustaining & Certifying

Class fee includes the price of NWF Backyard Wildlife Certification registration and sign. Classes will involve brief walks outdoors; please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

register online

Registration closes Friday, January 2 at 12 pm
