Calendar of Events
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AUGUST 2026
AUG . all day / every day
STORYWALK: Senorita Mariposa
Come walk, read, and get inspired by the trees around you all month long!
Along the Legacy Tree Trail, August’s featured book is “Senorita Mariposa" by Ben Gundersheimer and Marcos Almada Rivero.
As you walk the trail, enjoy the beauty of the Arboretum while reading along—combining the joy of storytelling with fresh air and exploration. It’s the perfect activity for families and nature lovers!
Location: Legacy Tree Trail
Sponsors: Carnegie-Stout Public Library + Dubuque Morning Optimist Club
SOLD OUT!
THU . AUG 13 . 6-7:30p
EDUCATIONAL SESSION: Medicinal Preparations
Ready to take your herbal knowledge to the next level? Join us for an engaging evening with Briana Cushman, Clinical Herbalist, as she explores the art and science of creating herbal medicinal preparations.
Learn about a variety of herbal preparations, how they are made, and practical ways to incorporate them into your wellness routine. Whether you're new to herbalism or looking to expand your skills, this session is sure to inspire!
Location: Visitor Center
SUN . AUG 16 . all day
EVENT: Artistry in Bloom
From food to sculptures to music and more, ARTISTRY takes center stage at the DABG:
. DESSERT ARTISTRY: Sweet Scoops in the Gardens. FREE. Sponsor: The Matz Family in honor of Elaine Matz. Packard Pavilion. Noon-1:30p.
. FOOD ARTISTRY: Sour Joe's Kolaches + Delaney's Ice Cream Shoppe. Upper Parking Lot. 11a-2p & 6-8p
. LOCAL ARTISTRY. Art sale. Local artist-vendors with nature-based artistry. Packard Pavilion. 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
MITG: 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!
THU . AUG 20 . 6p
EDUCATIONAL SESSION: Discover the Power of Native Shrubs!
Want a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that supports wildlife? Join Wild Ones of the Tri-State Driftless Area to learn about native shrubs that provide habitat, prevent erosion, and thrive with minimal care. Whether you have a large yard or a small space, you'll discover shrubs that are perfect for your landscape!
Location: Heinemann Visitor Center
SEPTEMBER 2026
SEPT . all day / every day
STORYWALK: Little Blue Truck
Come walk, read, and get inspired by the trees around you all month long!
Along the Legacy Tree Trail, September’s featured book is “Little Blue Truck" by Alice Schertle.
As you walk the trail, enjoy the beauty of the Arboretum while reading along—combining the joy of storytelling with fresh air and exploration. It’s the perfect activity for families and nature lovers!
Location: Legacy Tree Trail
Sponsors: Carnegie-Stout Public Library + Dubuque Morning Optimist Club
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 5-10 p.m. 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
MITG: 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!
THU . SEPT 17 . 6-7:30p
EDUCATIONAL SESSION: Herbs for Relaxation
Join us for an engaging evening of herbal education with Bri Cushman, Clinical Herbalist! Discover the benefits of herbs, learn practical wellness tips, and gain insight into the healing power of plants.
. Location: Heinemann Visitor Center
. Cost: $7.50 per person
. Registration is required.
Whether you're new to herbalism or looking to deepen your knowledge, this informative session is sure to inspire!
Reserve your spot today—space is limited.
FRI . SEPT 25 . 7p
OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT:
At the Gardens!
Join us for a magical evening under the stars!
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and friends for a relaxing night surrounded by the beauty of the gardens while enjoying a movie on the big screen.
. Delaney's Ice Cream Shoppe will be presenting the movie and will also be on site serving their delicious ice cream—the perfect treat for a movie night!
. Langworthy Dentall will also be on site serving their amazing Kettle Corn!
. The movie (TBD) will be rated PG or PG-13.
Thank you to our sponsor, MidWestOne Bank — A Division of Nicolet National Bank — for helping make this event possible!
We can’t wait to see you at the gardens for a cozy night of movies, ice cream, and great company!
Location: Packard Pavilion Amphitheater
Sponsor:
Serving treats!
OCTOBER 2026
OCT . all day / every day
STORYWALK: How the Forest Feels
Come walk, read, and get inspired by the trees around you all month long!
Along the Legacy Tree Trail, October’s featured book is “How the Forest Feels" by Wendi Silvano and Mirka Hokkanen.
As you walk the trail, enjoy the beauty of the Arboretum while reading along—combining the joy of storytelling with fresh air and exploration. It’s the perfect activity for families and nature lovers!
Location: Legacy Tree Trail
Sponsors: Carnegie-Stout Public Library + Dubuque Morning Optimist Club
SUN . OCT 4 . 4-6p
MITG: 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
Sponsors:
Serving great food!
FRI . OCT 9 . 3:30-8:30p
Come and celebrate the season with a little spooky fun in the gardens!
OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT:
Ghouls in the Gardens
Join us on for a spooktacular evening of costumes, music, a scavenger hunt, and a family-friendly outdoor movie under the stars! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a cozy fall night in the gardens.
. Movie presented by: Delaney's Ice Cream Shoppe.
. Music by: Brandon’s Sound Check spinning family-friendly Halloween tunes.
. Special Feature: Cornerstone Nursery will be on-site from 3:30–6:30p selling mums, pumpkins, and more fall favorites.
. Dinner: Birdie’s Lunchbox & Catering will be on-site serving burgers, brats, and more.
. Snacks: Langworthy Family Dental will be selling fresh kettle corn.
. Treats: Delaney’s Ice Cream Shoppe will be on-site serving their delicious ice cream.
. Free admission: Donations are appreciated to help keep events like this possible!
Serving great food!
Selling pumpkins + mums + more!
Playing great family-friendly tunes!
SAT . OCT 10 . 10a
EDUCATIONAL SESSION: Mushroom Foray
Join us inside the Visitor Center at the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for a fun and educational morning hosted by the Prairie States Mushroom Club.
Learn how to use the iNaturalist app to help identify mushrooms and other organisms before heading out on a guided mushroom foray
Come explore the fascinating world of fungi with us.
Meet inside the Visitor Center at 10a. Foray begins at 10:45a (starting location to be announced soon). Drop-ins welcome.
This event is FREE, but space is limited for the iNaturalist learning session, so registration is required for that portion.
SUN . OCT 18 . 1p
MUSIC: Madison Japanese Taiko Drumming Group
Feel the rhythm and experience the energy!
Join us at the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for a high-energy performance by the Madison Japanese Taiko Drumming Group.
The Rice is Nice, LLC food truck will be on-site beginning at 11:30a near the Pavilion!
Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the powerful beats in the beautiful garden setting.
Location: Packard Pavilion
Sponsor: Spahn & Rose
Serving great food!
NOVEMBER 2026
NOV . all day / every day
STORYWALK: I'm Going to Build a Snowman
Come walk, read, and get inspired by the trees around you all month long!
Along the Legacy Tree Trail, November’s featured book is “I'm Going to Build a Snowman" by Jashar Awan,
As you walk the trail, enjoy the beauty of the Arboretum while reading along—combining the joy of storytelling with fresh air and exploration. It’s the perfect activity for families and nature lovers!
Location: Legacy Tree Trail
Sponsors: Carnegie-Stout Public Library + Dubuque Morning Optimist Club
SAT . NOV 7 . 9-11:30a
FALL CLEANUP: No. 1!
Help us wrap up the season by joining our Fall Cleanups.
Meet at the Visitor Center at 9a.
Free lunch and drinks will be served inside the Visitor Center from 11:30a–Noon as a thank-you to our volunteers.
Whether you can join us for one day or both, your time and effort help keep the gardens beautiful for everyone. We’d love to see you there!
Location: Heinemann Visitor Center + throughout the gardens
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
SAT . NOV 14 . 9-11:30a
FALL CLEANUP: No. 2!
Help us wrap up the season by joining our Fall Cleanup on Sat, Nov 14, from 9a–Noon.
Meet at the Visitor Center at 9a.
Free lunch and drinks will be served inside the Visitor Center from 11:30a–Noon as a thank-you to our volunteers.
Your time and effort help keep the gardens beautiful for everyone. We’d love to see you there!
Location: Heinemann Visitor Center + throughout the 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