Tohono Chul

10/11/2026

From the early days of building Tohono Chul to the stewards who have cared for these grounds through the decades, our story has always been one of vision, community, and a deep love for the Sonoran Desert. 🌵

As we look toward the future, our extensive 15-year Master Plan honors that legacy while imagining what comes next. Plans include rehabilitating our historic buildings, improving accessibility throughout the grounds, and thoughtfully enhancing our gardens and gathering spaces to better serve our community.

These improvements are about more than preserving what we have; they’re about ensuring Tohono Chul remains a place to explore and find wonder in the desert for generations to come.

Join us in imagining what’s next! We invite you to explore our Master Plan on Thursday, October 22nd from 5-7PM.

RSVP at the link in bio!

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

Terruño is one month away! Join us on November 8th from 4-7 PM in the gardens for Terruño: Flavors of the Desert, an unforgettable evening celebrating the Sonoran Desert’s flavors, stories, and culinary traditions.

Presented in partnership with Tucson City of Gastronomy, Sip Arizona wines, savor chef-prepared tastings from some of Tucson’s finest chefs, enjoy a welcome cocktail, and wander the gardens.

At the same time, five local musicians provide the soundtrack to the evening. Plus, take home a keepsake tasting plate!

Swipe to learn more about the participating vineyards, chefs, and featured performers.

Tickets on sale now. 🍷

Featured Arizona W**eries 🍷

Callaghan Vineyards
Deep Sky
Twisted Union W**e Co.
Laramita Cellars
Pillsbury W**e Company
Sonoran W**es

Featured Chefs 🍽️

David Marks, Tohono Chul Garden Bistro
Ryan Clark, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort (Official)
Devon Sanner, S+P Creative
Travis Peters, S+P Creative
Ramon Delgado, Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort
John Martinez, Tito and Pep

Featured Performers 🎶

Gabriel Ayala — Garden Pavilion
Daniel Woodruff — Overlook
Brian Lopez — Exhibit House
Tucson Modern Jazz — Performance Garden
Gardenias — Admissions Entrance and Lomaki Patio

10/07/2026

Join this Sunday, October 11th from 1:30 - 3:00PM for an afternoon of jazz with the JazzTechs, a talented ensemble of current and alumni musicians from the Pima Community College and University of Arizona Jazz Arts programs.

Expect a selection of their favorite jazz standards live in the performance garden.

Presented in collaboration with the Tucson Guitar Society, JazzTechs features Apollo Torrez on bass, Hoshin Gupta on drums, Ken Jones on trumpet, Austin Thies on vibes, Billy Rubasch on saxophone, and Scott Sherman & Howard Tuller on guitar.

🎟️ Free with garden admission • Free for members • Free for children under 2

10/06/2026

Start your Sunday morning with fresh, locally made bread!

Barrio Bread founder and James Beard Award-winning baker Don Guerra will be popping up at Tohono Chul with a selection of fresh loaves available for purchase. Quantities are limited, so come early for the best selection.

While you’re here, be sure to stop by Peddler on the Path in the Sundial Plaza for locally roasted coffee and other tasty beverages, then make a morning of it with a stroll through the gardens!

Second Sundays from October - December 🥖
• Sunday, Oct. 11
• Sunday, Nov. 8
• Sunday, Dec. 13
Time: 9–11 AM

Image courtesy of Barrio Bread.

10/06/2026

The Guatemalan Crafts Sale returns to Tohono Chul this Friday & Saturday. For more than a decade, this special event has brought the vibrant artistry of Guatemala’s skilled artisans to Tucson.

Browse handwoven textiles, beaded jewelry, colorful shawls, embroidered huipiles, contemporary purses, table runners, vests, and so much more! Each item is handcrafted in small village workshops and rooted in generations of cultural tradition, creativity, and craftsmanship.

🛍️ Friday, Oct. 9 & Saturday, Oct. 10
From 10AM–4PM
In the Garden Pavilion

Admission to Tohono Chul is free during this event!

10/06/2026

Jazz Under the Stars continues this Friday & Saturday at the Tohono Chul Garden Bistro! Unwind on the patio with live jazz, delicious food, and handcrafted drinks.

This Week's Featured Artists:
🎷 Friday, Oct. 9 — Jazz Oasis
🎷 Saturday, Oct. 10 — Daniel “Sly” Slipetsky & Chelsee Hicks

See you from 5–8PM! Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Admission is $5 for the general public and free for members.

10/05/2026

The Foothill Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) is a Sonoran Desert icon for many reasons! 🌼

This slow-growing native is extremely drought-tolerant and built for full desert sun. Its yellow-green bark keeps photosynthesizing even when it drops its tiny leaves, and it’s one of many “nurse plants,” providing shade and shelter for young saguaros.

Get your own palo verdes and browse the rest of our native plant inventory.

Tohono Chul members receive exclusive first access during Members’ Day on Friday, October 16, plus 10% off all plant purchases. The sale opens to the public on Saturday and continues Sunday morning, with no admission fee required to shop.

🌵 Fall Plant Sale Schedule:
• Friday, October 16 | Members’ Day | 8 AM–2 PM
• Saturday, October 17 | Public Sale | 8 AM–2 PM
• Sunday, October 18 | Public Sale | 9 AM–12 PM

10/02/2026

Long before Tohono Chul became a 49-acre botanical garden, this was simply a corner of the Sonoran Desert, shaped by seasons, time, and the people who cared for it.

From the desert landscapes of the 1940s to the gardens and gathering spaces we know today, these photographs offer a glimpse at how this special place has grown and changed through the decades.

In the 1960s, Richard and Jean Wilson began piecing together the land that would become Tohono Chul. As Tucson grew around them, they chose to preserve this corner of the desert rather than see it disappear to development. In 1985, their vision officially became Tohono Chul.

What they saved, generations have nurtured.
And now, we’re looking toward the next chapter.

Sonoran Oasis, Tohono Chul’s new 15-year Master Plan, is rooted in that same spirit of stewardship.

Join us as we unveil Sonoran Oasis and explore the future of Tohono Chul on Thursday, October 22 in the Garden Pavilion.

5:00 PM | Doors open
5:45 PM | Program begins
6:30 PM | Reception
7:00 PM | Event concludes

Come hear from Tohono Chul leadership, discover the vision shaped by input from more than 800 community members, and learn what’s ahead for our gardens, pathways, programs, and community spaces. RSVP now at the link in bio. This event is free & open to the public!