By John Sallot
Director of Marketing
Desert Botanical Garden
480-481-8101
Winter months in the Sonoran Desert are the envy of families and friends in colder climates. They bundle up in wool while we don light cotton sweaters and open windows and enjoy being outside. As the holidays approach, locals like to celebrate in unique ways and take advantage of the mild weather. One way is to attend what many consider the Valley’s best holiday event, Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden. The Garden is transformed by the glow of 8,000 hand-lit luminarias that line the trails and by the sounds of talented musicians that perform throughout the Garden trails.
“We plan all year for Las Noches de las Luminarias,” said Marcia Flynn, director of event services. “The goal is to have an enchanting and welcoming evening for guests. We see whole families, people on date nights and it has also been the setting for many engagement proposals.”
Las Noches de las Luminarias started in 1978 as a one-night, member only event and has grown to 24 nights this year. It is a massive undertaking involving volunteers and staff who set up the event, serve as hosts and work behind the scenes. Each night a crew of about 20 people light the 8,000 candles in about one hour using a butane torch attached to a PVC pipe. At the end of the night, they are able to snuff out the candles in about 30 minutes with a special device – a turkey baster extended with a plastic tube that is attached to a length of wood.
This year, a special exhibition, Bruce Munro: Sonoran Light at Desert Botanical Garden will enhance your Luminarias experience. The exhibit showcases eight large-scale, light-based installations using an inventive array of materials, and hundreds of miles of glowing fiber optics. Located throughout the Garden, Munro’s site-specific exhibition will reflect his personal interpretation the Sonoran Desert. Musical groups perform every night of Las Noches de las Luminarias. Performers this year include Mariachi Pasión, Sahnas Borthers, Traveler, Salt River Brass Quintet and Yellow Bird. Of course, it would not be complete without the Valley’s best Handbell Ensembles taking up residence in historic Webster Auditorium. The Phoenix Astronomical Society will also be stationed on the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Trail for stargazing.
If you come hungry, a sumptuous buffet dinner is available at an additional cost from Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events and the Garden’s Patio Café will also be open for ala carte items. Meal tickets for the buffet are $22 for adults and $12 for children (12 and under). Gertrude’s, the Garden’s restaurant will be open and reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 480-719-8600 or visiting gertrudesrestaurant.com.
If you still have some shopping to do, the Garden Shop will be open each night of Luminaria and is the ideal place to find- gifts for the holiday season. For more information visit dbg.org.
When
November 27 – 28 (General Public)
December 3 – 6 (Garden Members and their Guests Preview)
December 10 – 13, 16 – 23, 26 – 31 (General Public)
Time
5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Where
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Tickets
Members: On sale September 21, 2015
Adults $25
Children: $10 (ages 3-12)
General Public: On sale October 4, 2015
Adults $30
Children $12.50 (ages 3-12)
Children 3 and under are admitted free.
Info
For additional information or to buy
tickets, please call 480-481-8188 or visit
dbg.org/luminaria.
