Photo Credit: Tempe Tourism

Las Noches De Las Luminarias Returns For 45th Year to Desert Botanical Garden

Enter a desert wonderland this holiday season at Desert Botanical Garden with Las Noches de las Luminarias. Enjoy an evening filled with sparkling luminarias and twinkling holiday lights. Musical performances, entertainment and holiday delights line the Garden’s iconic trails for a picture-perfect night.

New this year, the holiday also includes an extra layer of beauty with the bold and lyrical large-scale sculptures of Playing with Stars by Rotraut interweaving gracefully with the sparkles of the luminaria bags throughout the trails and Ottosen Gallery.

Returning for the first time since 2019, La Posada on Dec. 18, celebrates the Mexican holiday tradition of La Posada. Cherish the time spent with family and friends, join in the festivities of two singing processions through the Garden, break piñatas and savor traditional food and drinks. La Posada activities are included with Luminaria ticket.


Desert Botanical Garden’s longest-running tradition is Las Noches de las Luminarias (Luminaria). On a cold December night back in 1978, volunteers and staff worked on lighting 700 luminarias and welcoming 600 guests for a one-night experience at the Garden. The idea for Luminaria came from the executive director at the time, Rodney Engard, in collaboration with staff and volunteers. Engard wanted to create a holiday event that represented the Southwest and complemented the Garden’s beauty, which was a gift to the community.

Many of the same traditions still hold true more than 40 years later. Luminarias are placed, lit and snuffed by the hands of staff and volunteers. New traditions have been added, such as twinkle lights on trees throughout the Garden. Adding more nights, luminarias and entertainment to the celebration of Luminaria help the Garden enhance its longest-running tradition every year.

Tickets are on sale now and advance ticket reservations are required.

WHEN:
Las Noches de las Luminarias | Select nights Dec. 1-31
Member-only dates | Dec. 1-4
Additional dates | Dec. 9-11, 15-18, 20-23 & 26-31
5:30 – 9:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

PRICE:
Member Adult: $34.95 | Member Child (3-17): $14.95 | General Public Adult: $39.95 | General Public Child (3-17): $16.95

TICKETS:
Admissions Box Office | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily
• Call Center | 480.941.1225 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
• Online | dbg.org