Halloween at the
BOOtanical Garden
OCTOBER JUST GOT COOLER
Each October, The Greater Des Moines BOOtanical Garden transforms the dome into one of Central Iowa’s most unforgettable destinations.
The tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House are filled with immersive Halloween décor, lighting, entertainment, and plants that highlight the creepy and curious side of the natural world.
Halloween at the BOOtanical Garden includes three distinct experiences.
Each offer a different way to celebrate the season:
-
Eerie Evenings explore during delightfully spooky nights
-
Boos & Brews gather your 21+ friends for local brewery samples and live entertainmentÂ
-
Trick or Trees celebrate a family-friendly Halloween filled with costumes, magic, and trick-or-TREEting
Throughout each experience, discover fascinating plants, surprising adaptations, and the wonderfully weird side of the botanical world.
Tickets and admission details vary by event.
Advance purchase is encouraged.
Thank you to our sponsors for Halloween at the BOOtanical Garden:
Event Options
Plan to enjoy many unique offerings this Halloween at the BOOtanical Garden.
Events at a Glance
- Eerie Evenings | Friday, Oct. 23-Sunday, Oct. 25; Tuesday, Oct. 27-Thursday, Oct. 29; and Saturday, Oct. 31 | 6-9 PM
- Boos & Brews | Friday, Oct. 30 | 7-10 PM | Ages 21+
- Trick or Trees | Saturday, Oct. 31 | 9 AM-4 PM | Family-friendly
Eerie Evenings Oct 23-31
Experience the BOOtanical Garden after dark
Wander at your own pace and embrace the eerie side of the plant world at one of Central Iowa’s most unique Halloween destinations.
- Guests may arrive anytime between 6 and 8:30 PM and explore until 9 PM.
- Costumes are optional but encouraged.
- Flora will provide cash bar and concession service.
Dates:
- Friday, Oct. 23–Sunday, Oct. 25
- Tuesday, Oct. 27–Thursday, Oct. 29
- and Saturday, Oct. 31
Hours:
6–9 PM; last admission at 8:30 PM
Eerie Evenings Tickets
- Adult: $14
- Senior: $13
- Youth: $11
- Members receive $6 off each ticket.
Activities & Programs
Succulent Cauldron Drop-In
Offered nightly, 6–9 PM
- Plant a vining succulent in a mini cauldron during this self-guided activity. No preregistration is required.
Carnivorous Plant Container
Thursday, Oct. 29, 5:30–7 PM
- Learn about carnivorous plants, their unusual adaptations, and how to care for them. Then create a container of carnivorous plants to take home.
Halloween Happy Hour
Saturday, Oct. 31, 6–7 PM | Ages 21+
- Explore poisonous plants, bat pollination, carnivorous plants, and other creepy corners of the plant world. Participate in a live carnivorous plant feeding and take home a plant of your own
Thanks to All
Thank you to the volunteers who help make Eerie Evenings possible.
Upcoming Add Ons
Event Options
Boos & Brews Fri Oct 30
Grab your friends for Boos & Brews, an adults-only Halloween celebrationÂ
Experience local brewery and cidery samples, live entertainment, and ghostly fun throughout the spooky conservatory. Enjoy samples from regional favorites alongside a live DJ, strolling magic, creative body art, and more at one of Central Iowa’s most distinctive Halloween events.
- Tickets include brewery and cidery samples. Featured products will also be available for purchase while supplies last.
- Costumes are optional but encouraged.
- Advanced purchase is encouraged, as this event sells out quickly.
Date:
- Friday, Oct. 30
Hours:
7–10 PM
Audience:
Ages 21+
Tickets
- Member: $17
- Non-member: $20
Featured
Breweries & Cideries
- Big Grove Brewery
- Fenceline Beer Lab
- Firetrucker Brewery
- Iowa Brewers Union
- Reclaimed Rails
- Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
Food & Drink
- Flora will offer fast-fired pizza, concessions, and a cash bar.
- Featured breweries and cideries will have select products available at the cash bar while supplies last.
Entertainment & Activities
- Live DJ by the Known Group
- Strolling magic by Jonathan May
- Glam face painting, festival glitter, airbrush body tattoos, and hair tinsel by CreaTiviah
Entertainment and partners are subject to change.
Thank you to our Sponsor
Thanks to all the volunteers who make Boos & Brews possible.
Trick or Trees Sat Oct 31
Enjoy a family-friendly, non-scary day of trick-or-TREEting
Celebrate the spooky side of plants! Explore festive entertainment, educational activities, costumes, magic, and fall-favorite foods throughout the Garden. Bring your curiosity and your costume for a full day of fun at the BOOtanical Garden.
- Costumes are optional but encouraged.
- Select partners and activity stations will offer candy or other takeaways while supplies last.
Date:
- Saturday, Oct. 31
Hours:
9 AM-4 PM
Tickets
- Members: FREE
- Adult: $14
- Senior: $13
- Youth: $11
- Pineapple Program, Museums for All, SNAP/EBT, & reciprocal membership participants: FREE
Featured
Food & Drink
- Kettle corn, roasted nuts, and lemonade by Jeff E Pop
- Flora Café open 11 AM-2 PM
Entertainment & Activities
- Activity & trick-or-treating stations | 9 AM-4 PM
- Face painting by CreaTiviah | 9 AM-11 AM
- Laura Ernst acrobatic variety shows | 10:30 AM & 1:15 PM
- Toby the Balloon Dude | Noon-3 PM
- Stilt walker by FEAT Acrobatics | 12:30-2:30 PM
- Strolling magic by Jonathan May | 1-1:30 PM & 3:15-3:45 PM
- Stage show by Jonathan May | 2-3 PM
Entertainment, schedule, and partners are subject to change.
Thank you to our Sponsor
Thanks to all the volunteers who make Trick or Trees possible.
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