Tohono Chul

10/16/2026

Tonight’s Jazz Under the Stars is cancelled due to high winds.

The safety of our staff, musicians, and guests is always our top priority, and with tonight’s weather conditions, we’ve made the decision to cancel.

Thank you for your understanding, we look forward to welcoming you back for more music under the stars tomorrow if the weather permits!

10/16/2026

Our Fall Plant Sale kicks off THIS FRIDAY! Shop from over 4,000 desert native plants across 300+ species, with half of the selections grown right here at Tohono Chul by our very own propagation team.

🌵Tohono Chul Members: Shop early & save!
Join us for our Members’ Day and enjoy 10% off all plant purchases on Friday, October 16, from 8 AM–2 PM. Not a member? Join today or become a member in person.

🌿 Public Sale Hours:
• Saturday, October 17 | 8 AM–2 PM
• Sunday, October 18 | 9 AM–12 PM

No admission fee is required to shop the public sale on Saturday or Sunday!

10/14/2026

Related to the well-known Nacapule Jasmine, the Pearlberry (Vallesia glabra) can be found in habitat all the way from South America to the deserts of Sonora, Mexico.

Its tiny white flowers give rise to plump, translucent berries beloved by birds and edible to humans with a faint lychee-like flavor.

The bark on this small tree is red-brown and fissured, and the foliage is evergreen. This is a good patio plant, ideal for hot areas with reflected heat where year-round foliage is desired.

Swing by the Fall Plant Sale this weekend and shop from over 300+ plant species half of which were grown by our incredible propagation team!

Fall Plant Sale Hours:
🌱 Members’ Day: Friday, Oct. 16 | 8 AM–2 PM
🌵 Public Sale: Saturday, Oct. 17 | 8 AM–2 PM
🌼 Public Sale: Sunday, Oct. 18 | 9 AM–12 PM

10/13/2026

Chiles, Chocolate & Day of the Dead Festival is almost here! Join us at Tohono Chul on Saturday, October 31, from 9 AM–5 PM for a full day celebrating the flavors, artistry, and traditions of the Southwest!

-Spice things up with local chile and salsa vendors
-Satisfy your sweet tooth with handcrafted chocolates from Tucson chocolatiers
-Explore colorful Día de los Mu***os ofrendas created by local artists and students
-Enjoy live mariachi, folklórico dancing, puppetry, and music
-Bring the whole family for face painting, crafts, and hands-on activities
-Experience a traditional Oaxacan weaving demonstration and shop handmade goods from local artisans!

🎟️ Tickets: $25 adults | $20 members | $10 youth (ages 2–17) | Free for children under 2.

10/13/2026

Today we remember one of our garden’s greatest icons, our one-in-200,000 saguaro, Gumby.

On October 13, 1997, Gumby found a new home at Tohono Chul. For 29 years, Gumby stood here. And he became so much more than a remarkable cactus.

Birds nested in the cavities of his trunk. Wildlife found shelter among his arms. Prickly pear took root in pockets of soil gathered high in his crest.

For nearly three decades, he became a small desert habitat and a reminder that there’s nothing wrong with being different.

Gumby may no longer be with us, but his legacy endures in the memories he left us, the wildlife he sheltered, and the wonder he inspired whenever someone stopped to marvel at his shape.

Today, on the anniversary of the day he was planted here, we remember Gumby and the 29 extraordinary years he spent growing, giving, and being gloriously, unmistakably himself.

🌵Do you have pictures of Gumby? We’d love to see them; drop them in the comments!

A big thank you to our Design Intern Angelicamaria Gonzalez-Montion for this beautiful illustration. Swipe through to see the process.

10/12/2026

Get ready to spread your wings and dive into the fascinating world of raptors this Wednesday, October 14th from 11 AM–1 PM at the Children’s Ramada!

Join Arizona Raptor Centereducator Carly Hamilton for an engaging lecture exploring raptor ecology, biology, and the conservation efforts that are helping protect these incredible birds for generations to come. 🦉

Make sure to stick around after the lecture to ask any questions and meet some of their amazing feathered ambassadors up close.

This lecture is free with park admission and free for members!

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