There’s no place like Dome for the Holidays
Step into a winter wonderland during the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s charming holiday experience, Dome for the Holidays. From Friday, November 17 to February 18, the Botanical Garden will be transformed into a magical world of festive delights and natural beauty.
In addition to the stunning natural exhibits, we have a calendar full of holiday-themed events and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Winter Floral Arrangements | Friday, December 1, 5:30-7 p.m.
Get into the seasonal spirit with an evening of winter floral design fun! Combine flowers, winter greenery, and decorations to create a one-of-a-kind winter floral arrangement perfect for your home. Registration required. Enjoy complimentary admission to Dome After Dark after the program.
Members $42.50, Nonmembers $50
Register
Holiday Door Swag | Saturday, December 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Use evergreen branches, ribbon, and other décor to create a seasonal decoration for your home! This activity will allow participants to work at their own pace. No preregistration is required. Available while supplies last. Admission to the Botanical Garden is not included.
$5 per person
No preregistration
Winter Botany for Birds| Monday, December 4, 5:30-7 p.m.
What is better than birds and botany? Learn about important plants that create essential habitat for birds to survive Iowa winters, common birds that you might encounter in your backyard habitat, and how to attract birds to your neck of the woods! Registration required
Register
Members $17, Nonmembers $20
Winter Wreath Making | Tuesday, December 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Take your holiday decorating to the next level with a personalized wreath you make yourself! Choose from an extensive array of fresh evergreen, herbs, and accessories to make your front door turn heads this winter season. Registration required.
Members $51, Nonmembers $60
FULL
Winter Candle Making | Thursday, December 7, 5:30-7 p.m.
What’s better than enjoying a cozy candle this winter? Enjoying one that you customized and decorated! Learn the art of scent selection, candle pouring, and candle decoration With Love, Libby. Select or mix a winter-themed scent to create your favorite candle to light this winter. Decorate your soy wax candle with dried florals and fruits, so your candle will smell and look amazing! Registration required.
Members $42.50, Nonmembers $50
Register
Cocoa and Crafts | Friday, December 8, 6-8 p.m.
Nothing warms your body and soul like the lush conservatory, hot chocolate, and crafting! While enjoying Dome After Dark, indulge in our full hot chocolate bar to create a delicious treat to sip on while you create two botanical-themed crafts perfect for this winter. This activity will allow participants to work at their own pace. Preregistration is encouraged. Available while supplies last. Admission to Dome After Dark is not included.
$10 per person
Register
Toast to Terrariums | Saturday, December 9, 3-5 p.m.
Enjoy a glass of wine while learning to design and care for terrariums, then build your own in this hands-on workshop. All materials are provided—just bring your creativity. All participants must be at least 21 years of age. Registration required.
Members $42.50, Nonmembers $50
Register
Winter Wreath Making | Saturday, December 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Take your holiday decorating to the next level with a personalized wreath you make yourself! Choose from an extensive array of fresh evergreen, herbs, and accessories to make your front door turn heads this winter season. Registration required.
Members $51, Nonmembers $60
Register
Conservatory Plein Air Painting | Monday, December 11, 5:30-8 p.m.
Learn the traditional outdoor painting techniques while you soak in the beauty of the conservatory. Artist Kelsey Wilson will demonstrate the fundamentals of painting ‘outdoors’ and then assist as you create your own plein air artwork. Registration required.
Members $25.50, Nonmembers $30
Register
Sip and Stroll | Tuesday, December 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m. or 7-8 p.m.
Celebrate the season with a glass of wine and a walk through the Botanical Garden. Learn about what is in bloom, what is coming soon, and timely updates from our director of horticulture, Aaron Harpold. All participants must be at least 21 years of age.
Members $17, Nonmembers $20
Register
Winter Watercolor for Teens | Thursday, December 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Calling all emerging artists! Explore essential techniques used in traditional botanical watercolor painting with Kelsey Wilson. Learn about the different brushes, paper, and paints and how to properly load a brush with color for flat washes, graded washes, and dry brush techniques. Then, choose a plant to transfer and paint a copy of it. For ages 12 and up. Registration required.
Members, $17, Nonmembers $20
Register
Air Plant Ornaments | Thursday, December 14, 5:30-7 p.m.
Learn more about these easy-to-care-for plants and create unique ornaments to take home and display your new air plant amid your holiday decorations! Each participant creates and takes home three air plant ornaments. Suitable for ages 12 and up. Registration required.
Members $25.50, Nonmembers $30
Register
Botanical Trivia: Holiday Edition | Friday, December 15, 6:30-8 p.m.
Get into the holiday spirit while putting your botanical skills to the test. From botanical holiday decorations to long-time traditions, you will be quizzed on all things holiday botanicals. Form teams consisting of four of your best botanical buds and enjoy a fun and knowledgeable evening. We’ll build teams for you if you can’t quite get the numbers. The winning team will receive a prize! Registration required. Enjoy complimentary admission to Dome After Dark after the program.
Teams of 5: $25
Register
Tropical Snow Globes | Tuesday, December 26-Satruday, December 30, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. While supplies last
Create your own living tropical snow globe! Learn about tropical plants, small-scale ecosystems, and the water cycle as you create your own winter-themed tropical terrarium to take home. This drop-in style activity allows you to work at your own pace. Walk-up registration only. Available while supplies last. Admission not included.
$12 per terrarium
No preregistration
Family Workshop: Feeding our Winter Friends | Saturday, December 30, 1-2:15 p.m.
Become a scientist in your own backyard this winter as you document the visiting wildlife! As a family, explore what animals do through the winter and how they rely on plants for food and shelter. Learn the names of commons birds you may find in your backyard and the food they eat. Create bird feed molds to attract birds and a birding field journal to collect data on all the birds that visit! Youth must be accompanied by an adult. One adult is required for every three youth participants. Registration required.
Members: $20 Youth/Adult Pair, $15 Additional Youth
Nonmembers: $30 Youth/Adult Pair, $20 Additional Youth
Register
