What Events and Workshops Are Happening at Alaska Botanical Garden?

Updated

Alaska Botanical Garden (alaskabg.org) lists a rotating calendar of seasonal events and hands-on workshops, with several dated programs visible on its homepage. The listings below cover what the site currently shows, including dates, times, and how to register where that information is given. Because the garden's schedule changes by season, treat these as the programs the site is promoting now rather than a permanent lineup.

Seasonal events

BOOtanical (September 11 – October 18)

A harvest-themed, family-oriented stroll through the garden with spooky displays. Costumes are encouraged. The site lists it for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00am to 6:00pm, and mentions programs such as Fairy House building, Storytime, and Garlic Day. A full calendar of events is linked from the page.

Brighter Winter Nights

The site announces that Brighter Winter Nights begins December 3rd. No further details (hours, tickets, programming) appear in the listing shown.

Fossil Day (Friday, October 16, 12:00–3:00pm)

A celebration tied to National Fossil Day, held annually by the National Park Service to highlight fossil preservation. This year's theme is the Pleistocene (Ice Age).

Día de Muertos at the Garden (October 31 and November 1)

A two-day, family-friendly exploration of the Mexican holiday's colors, smells, and tastes. You can register for one or both sessions:

  • October 31, 11:00am–1:00pm — craft the components of an ofrenda together.
  • November 1, 3:00–4:30pm — scavenger hunt through ofrenda components, decorate, and taste pan de muerto.

Workshops

Workshop Date & time What it covers Registration
Mushroom Cultivation with Far North Fungi Saturday, October 10, 11:00am–1:00pm Hands-on oyster mushroom growing; participants make their own mushroom kits in Far North Fungi's mobile lab Register (link on site)
Writing from the Threshold of Change Thursday, October 22, 5:30–7:00pm Reflective writing with author Debbie Clarke Moderow, rooted in the changing boreal forest and her art-science-humanities collaboration "Threshold 32°F" Register (link on site)

Ongoing sales and other listings

  • Seed Garlic Sales — in-person shopping Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 11:00am–6:00pm. Varieties listed: Montana Zemo, Inchelium Red, Romanian Red. Online ordering for pickup is also available.
  • We're hiring — the site lists an opening for a Facilities Assistant.

How to confirm details before you go

Dates, times, and registration requirements are set per program, and some listings (like Brighter Winter Nights) give only a start date. Before attending:

  1. Open the Calendar of events linked from the homepage to see the complete schedule.
  2. Use the Register here links on individual workshop listings to sign up where registration is required.
  3. Check the Hours & Rates page under Plan Your Visit for current admission and opening information.

If a program you're interested in doesn't show a registration link, the listing as shown doesn't state whether advance sign-up is needed — confirm through the garden directly rather than assuming walk-in entry.