How to Get Tickets or Become a Member at Desert Botanical Garden (dbg.org)

Updated

You can buy tickets or become a member through the Desert Botanical Garden website, dbg.org. The homepage links to "Get Tickets" and "Become a Member," and it lists admission starting at $32.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 2–17. Members visit free year-round. Before buying, check the event schedule: some fall events are included with admission, while others require a separate ticket.

Admission Prices and Hours

Item Detail
Adult admission Starts at $32.95
Child admission (ages 2–17) Starts at $14.95
Member admission Free year-round
Daily hours (now – Dec. 31) 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Location 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Parking Free

The word "start" matters here. The listed prices are entry points, not flat rates for every ticket type or date, so confirm the exact price for your visit date at checkout.

How to Buy Tickets

  1. Go to dbg.org.
  2. Use the "Get Tickets" link on the homepage.
  3. Choose your visit date and ticket type.
  4. Check whether your date overlaps with a separately ticketed event (see the table below) before you pay.

The expected result is a confirmed admission ticket for your chosen date. If you plan to attend a ticketed event, you may need a second purchase.

How to Become a Member

  1. Go to dbg.org.
  2. Use the "Become a Member" link.
  3. Compare membership against the cost of your planned visits. A single adult visit starts at $32.95, and members visit free year-round, so membership pays off faster with repeat visits or family trips.

Membership also matters for event planning: several fall events are included with admission, which members already have.

Included With Admission vs. Separately Ticketed

The homepage separates fall events into these two categories. This is the most useful distinction to check before buying.

Event Dates / Time Access
Strange Garden Spooky Week Now – Oct. 31, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Included with admission
Wednesday Dog Nights Wednesdays through Nov. 18, 5–10 p.m. Ticketed
Desert Views: A Conversation Series Oct. 28, 5:30–7 p.m. Included with admission
Fall Garden After Dark Now – Nov. 15, sunset – 10 p.m. Included with admission
Fall Butterflies Now – Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ticketed
Music in the Garden: Concert Series Oct. 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20, 6–9 p.m. (headliner 7–9 p.m.) Included with admission
Strange Garden Howl-ween Oct. 31, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Included with admission
Saturday Dog Days Saturdays through Nov. 21, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Included with admission
Día de Muertos Festival Nov. 6–9, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Ticketed
The Great Arizona Puppet Theater Nov. 11, shows at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Included with admission
Chiles & Chocolate Festival Nov. 13–15, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ticketed
Las Noches de las Luminarias Nov. 27–29; Dec. 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan. 1–3, 5–9:30 p.m. Ticketed

If a ticketed event is your main reason for visiting, buy that event ticket rather than relying on general admission.

Check the Day's Schedule Before You Buy

The homepage includes a "What's Happening Today?" section that lists that day's events and times, plus a "See Full Schedule" link. Use it before purchasing, because the mix of included and ticketed events changes by date. For example, a Wednesday evening visit during Dog Nights may require a separate ticket, while a Saturday morning visit during Saturday Dog Days is covered by admission.

What to Expect Once You're In

The Garden covers 5 trails, 50,000 plants, and 4,800 plant species, so plan for more than a quick walk-through. Visitor reviews on the homepage note that each visit feels different by season and highlight the volunteers' skill with kids. Fall programming runs from morning trails to evening music, art, and lights, so decide whether you want a daytime or evening visit before choosing your ticket.

Quick Decision Guide

  • One visit, daytime: Buy standard admission at dbg.org.
  • One visit built around a ticketed event: Buy the event ticket and confirm whether admission is separate.
  • Multiple visits or a family: Compare membership against the per-visit prices above; members visit free year-round.
  • Unsure what's on: Check "What's Happening Today?" and the full schedule first, then buy.