Calendar of Events
DISCOVER WHAT'S HAPPENING!
NEVER MISS A THING!
JANUARY 2026
WED . JAN 14 . 5-10p
DINE + DONATE: Your Pie Pizza!
Dine in or order online. Your Pie Pizza will donate 10% of their sales from 5-10p to the DABG.
Your Pie is the world's originator of the fast casual, brick-oven, customized personal pizza category. Founded by Drew French in 2008, the Your Pie concept was inspired by family recipes from the Italian island of Ischia. Your Pie uses hand-tossed dough, fresh ingredients, homemade pizza sauces, and salad dressings. It offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free pizzas, as well as traditional pizzas, chopped salads, and paninis.
Location: Your Pie Pizza at 800 Wacker Drive in Dubuque.
Community Support Night!
THU . JAN 15 . 6-7p
WORKSHOP: Winter Sowing: Jump-Start Your Garden
Discover the simple and magical method of winter sowing.
This hands-on session is perfect for gardeners of all levels. Learn practical tips and techniques to start your seeds outdoors during the winter months.
Instructor: Ellie Nitu, Grounds Supervisor at the DABG
Location: Heinemann Visitor Center
All proceeds benefit the Arboretum. PLEASE NOTE: There are no refunds, but credit can be applied toward another class if you need to cancel.
FEBRUARY 2026
THU . FEB 5 . 6-8p
WORKSHOP: 3D Cottage Garden on a Frame
Bring a touch of warm-weather charm into your home with this 3D Cottage Garden Workshop!
Create a beautifully layered cottage garden design on an 8x10 frame using dried flowers from Rech Family Gardens. All materials are provided, making it easy to craft a truly one-of-a-kind piece you’ll treasure for years to come.
Rech Family Gardens owner Sally Rech will guide you step-by-step, demonstrating techniques, sharing key tips for achieving the lovely 3D details that make this artwork so special, while moving around the room to offer personal support, ensuring everyone feels confident and inspired throughout the process.
As a sweet bonus, enjoy a tasty treat while you create and connect with fellow artists.
Location: Inside Visitor Center
Rech Family Gardens is a 3-acre flower farm in Lancaster, WI.
THU . FEB 12 . 6-7p
SEED EXCHANGE: Kickstart Your Spring Planning!
Bring seeds to share, pick up new varieties, and connect with fellow gardeners.
A fun way to kickstart your spring planning! There is no fee to participate, but please sign up so we know how many guests to expect!
Location: Heinemann Visitor Center
MAY 2026
THU . MAY 21 . 6-8p
WORKSHOP: Honey Tasting + Cookie Decorating!
BEE SWEET: A Dual Learning Experience!
- Full Sensory Honey-Tasting. Led by Dry Creek Beekeeping, you’ll use all your senses to become true honey connoisseurs! Explore the flavors, textures, colors, and aromas of light, medium, and dark honeys—plus creamed, crystallized, and comb honey. A delicious journey from hive to tastebud!
- Cookie Decorating by Pies + Cakes by Mackensie. Learn the basics of royal icing on bee‑themed cookies! Skills include: Royal icing basics + Piping + Tipless bag techniques + Outlining & flooding + Writing with icing + Sugar cookie dough tips + tricks.
You'll take home six beautifully decorated bee cookies, plus a royal icing and sugar cookie recipes!
Location: Heinemann Visitor Center
FRI . MAY 29 . 4-7p
PLANT SALE to brighten your home and garden!
Join us at the Packard Pavilion for an incredible selection of plants to brighten your home and garden:
. Buy unique plants
. Get expert advice
. Support the gardens
Don’t miss out — mark your calendar and bring a friend!
Location: Packard Pavilion
SUN . MAY 31 . 5-7p
THE MOODS
Relive the Soulful Sounds of Motown & R&B with The Moods ... perfect for fans of Bruno Mars, The Commodores, Diana Ross, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Four Tops, The Jackson 5, James Brown, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Prince, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and The Temptations.
This celebrated tribute act is dedicated to recreating the magic of the world's top Motown and R&B legends. Whether you're a die-hard Motown fan or simply looking for a night of unforgettable music and dance, The Moods always give a fun, high-energy performance.
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsor:
Serving great food!
JUNE 2026
WED . JUNE 3 . 5-10p
DINE + DONATE: Your Pie Pizza!
Dine in or order online. Your Pie Pizza will donate 10% of their sales from 5-10p to the DABG.
Your Pie is the world's originator of the fast casual, brick-oven, customized personal pizza category. Founded by Drew French in 2008, the Your Pie concept was inspired by family recipes from the Italian island of Ischia. Your Pie uses hand-tossed dough, fresh ingredients, homemade pizza sauces, and salad dressings. It offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free pizzas, as well as traditional pizzas, chopped salads, and paninis.
Location: Your Pie Pizza at 800 Wacker Drive in Dubuque.
Community Support Night!
FRI . JUNE 12 . 10-11a
Outdoor Summer Program Series
FREE Summer Fun at the DABG!
Please check back for all the details!
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsors: Dubuque Arboretum + Carnegie-Stout Public Library
SUN . JUNE 14 . 6-8p
RENEGADE WILDFLOWER
This band has been serving up the finest Southern Rock the Midwest has to offer since 2019.
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsors:
Serving great food!
FRI . JUNE 26 . 10-11a
Outdoor Summer Program Series
FREE Summer Fun at the DABG!
Please check back for all the details!
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsors: Dubuque Arboretum + Carnegie-Stout Public Library
SAT . JUNE 27 . 11a-1p
EVENT: Steve + Randy!
Location: Packard Pavilion
Sponsor:
SUN . JUNE 28 . 9a-1p
EVENT: HerbFest!
Celebrating the 2026 Herb of the Year: Turmeric
. Silent auction
. Herb Garden tours
. Tasty herbal treats
. Handcrafted items for sale
. Plant giveaway: herbal sample plants
Location: Herb Garden Area
Sponsor:
JULY 2026
FRI . JULY 10 . 10-11a
Outdoor Summer Program Series
FREE Summer Fun at the DABG!
Please check back for all the details!
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsors: Dubuque Arboretum + Carnegie-Stout Public Library
SUN . JUL 12 . 6-8p
JONNY LYONS & THE PRIDE
Combining Influences of Rock and Roll, Country, Blues, Soul, Surf, and Rockabilly, Jonny Lyons celebrates a musical style that will take you on a journey back in time to the golden era of music and showmanship!
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsor:
Serving great food!
FRI . JULY 24 . 10-11a
Outdoor Summer Program Series
FREE Summer Fun at the DABG!
Please check back for all the details!
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsors: Dubuque Arboretum + Carnegie-Stout Public Library
AUGUST 2026
SUN . AUG 16 . all day
EVENT: Artistry in Bloom
From food to sculptures to music and more, ARTISTRY takes center stage
. DESSERT ARTISTRY: Sundaes in the Gardens. FREE. Sponsor: The Matz Family in honor of Elaine Matz. McKay Plaza. Noon-1:30p.
. FOOD ARTISTRY: The Rice Is Nice. Upper Parking Lot. 11a-2p.
. LOCAL ARTISTRY. Art sale. Local artist-vendors with nature-based artistry. Hafeman Veranda. Throughout the day.
. GARDEN ARTISTRY: The Gardens. It's the perfect time to stroll the grounds and enjoy nature's beauty on display. Dawn to dusk.
. SCULPTURAL ARTISTRY: Art in the Gardens. More than 50 sculptural pieces are always on display by local and area creators, and beyond. Dawn to dusk.
. MUSICAL ARTISTRY: Music in the Gardens. Band: SecondHand News. Packard Pavilion Amphitheater. 6-8p.
Location: throughout the Gardens
SUN . AUG 16 . 6-8p
SECONDHAND NEWS
SecondHand News recreates the experience of seeing Fleetwood Mac in their heyday. Made up of veteran local musicians (Melissa Brausch, Josh Chicoine, Mike Holtz, Dan Ingenthron, Mike Vanier, and Lindsay Weinberg), the band features spot-on vocal harmonies, careful attention to detail, and electric live shows. Through the talents of these seasoned performers, the spirit and musicianship of Mick Fleetwood, John and Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Lindsey Buckingham come to life on stage. Audiences are energized by dynamic deliveries of favorites from the band's extensive catalog of hits as well as deep cuts beloved by superfans. The fun these musicians have recreating these classic songs together is infectious and will bring you to your feet in shared appreciation for one of the greatest bands of all time.
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsor:
Serving great food!
SEPTEMBER 2026
WED . SEPT 2 . 5-10p
DINE + DONATE: Your Pie Pizza!
Dine in or order online. Your Pie Pizza will donate 10% of their sales from 5-10p to the DABG.
Your Pie is the world's originator of the fast casual, brick-oven, customized personal pizza category. Founded by Drew French in 2008, the Your Pie concept was inspired by family recipes from the Italian island of Ischia. Your Pie uses hand-tossed dough, fresh ingredients, homemade pizza sauces, and salad dressings. It offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free pizzas, as well as traditional pizzas, chopped salads, and paninis.
Location: Your Pie Pizza at 800 Wacker Drive in Dubuque.
Community Support Night!
SUN . SEPT 13 . 5-7p
ANTHEM
Established in 2014 as "And Beyond," ANTHEM is an all-live musical experience that goes above and beyond the Classic Rock Band concept, covering all-time favorites like Styx, Bon Jovi, Journey, REO, Boston, Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin, Kansas, Queen, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Rush, Foreigner, Alice in Chains, Triumph, and more!
Anthem’s members are experienced musical artists with impressive resumes, and have been entertaining large crowds throughout the Midwest for over 2 decades, and now have re-joined the ranks of the top drawing Classic Rock bands in the Chicago area and beyond.
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsor:
Serving great food!
OCTOBER 2026
SUN . OCT 4 . 4-6p
HEART TO HEARTBREAKER
The Heart | Pat Benatar Experience
Primarily featuring the music of Heart & Pat Benatar, Heart to HeartBreaker captures the sights and sounds of women that changed the Rock & Roll status quo!
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsor: TBA
Serving great food!
FRI . OCT 9 . 3:30-8:30p
OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT: Ghouls in the Gardens
Halloween Fun at the Gardens on Friday, October 9!
Come enjoy candy, costumes, spooky fun, and yummy snacks under the stars! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to stay cozy -- it's Fall weather!
Sponsor: Delaney's
Serving great food!
NOVEMBER 2026
THU . NOV 12 . 6-8p
WORKSHOP: Holiday Porch Pot
Create Your Own One-of-a-Kind Winter Porch Pot!
Bring the magic of the season to your porch! Join Rech Family Gardens for a hands-on workshop where you’ll design a stunning winter porch pot bursting with festive charm. Everything you need is provided: planters, lush fresh evergreens, decorative branches, pinecones, sparkling ribbons, and a variety of seasonal accents like red berries, glitter twigs, and shimmering gold and silver details. All you need to bring is your festive cheer! Get step-by-step guidance, inspiration from sample designs, and pro tips to keep your creation looking beautiful all season long — and into the New Year. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this workshop is perfect for everyone. And yes, sweet treats are included to make the experience even more delightful!
Cost: $70 | Please check back for ticketing + registration.
Location: Heinemann Visitor Center
Sponsor: Rech Family Gardens
THU . NOV 19 . 6-8p
WORKSHOP: Christmas Tree Night Light
Join us in painting this Light-Up Christmas Tree Night Light guided by artist Mercedes from Captured on Canvas!
INCLUDED: Ceramic tree, colored lights, light bulb with plug-in base, and everything you'll need to paint the tree! Great for ages 6+!
Registration details coming soon!
Location: Heinemann Visitor Center
Sponsor: Captured on Canvas
DECEMBER 2026
THU . DEC 3 . 6-8p
WORKSHOP: Holiday Porch Pot
Create Your Own One-of-a-Kind Winter Porch Pot!
Bring the magic of the season to your porch! Join Rech Family Gardens for a hands-on workshop where you’ll design a stunning winter porch pot bursting with festive charm. Everything you need is provided: planters, lush fresh evergreens, decorative branches, pinecones, sparkling ribbons, and a variety of seasonal accents like red berries, glitter twigs, and shimmering gold and silver details. All you need to bring is your festive cheer! Get step-by-step guidance, inspiration from sample designs, and pro tips to keep your creation looking beautiful all season long — and into the New Year. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this workshop is perfect for everyone. And yes, sweet treats are included to make the experience even more delightful!
Cost: $70 | Please check back for ticketing + registration.
Location: Heinemann Visitor Center
Sponsor: Rech Family Gardens