Descanso Events
After-hours and daytime events with programs designed to connect garden visitors of all ages to nature. Join us for festivals, immersive installations, music, workshops, tours, and more.
- This event has passed.
A Celebration of Cool
August 2 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Included with admission or membership
In conjunction with the Roots of Cool exhibition, celebrate shade throughout Los Angeles at A Celebration of Cool!
Roots of Cool explores the topic of shade equity as installations throughout the gardens and in the gallery invite visitors to connect to and cultivate appreciation for the life-giving role trees and shade play in making urban neighborhoods livable.
This day-long event will include panel discussions on shade equity, a thermal imaging booth, a heat scavenger hunt, a giant puppet parade, tree give-aways, art workshops and more.
Educational, action-oriented events will offer activities for the whole family and invite everyone to take action.
This program is generously funded, in part, by Perenchio Foundation and TreePeople.
A Celebration of Cool is included with Descanso Gardens admission or membership, no event registration required.
Pictured: Chantée Benefield, Cool Canopy, 2025.
Schedule
Thermal Imaging Booth
- 10am–4pm
Partnering/Vendor Tables
- 10am–4pm
Tree Giveaway
- 10am–4pm
Heat Scavenger Hunt
- 11am–2pm
Panel Discussion
- Panelists:
- Sam Bloch, author, Shade: The Promise of a Forgotten Natural Resource
- Rita Kampalath, LA County Chief Sustainability Office
- Rachel O’Leary, California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection
- Andy Lipkis, Accelerate Resilience LA
- Moderator: Alissa Walker of Torched
- 10–11am
Arts and Crafts with Arroyo Arts Collective
- 11am–2pm
Puppet Parade with One Grain of Sand Puppet Theater and Arroyo Arts Collective
- 2–2:30pm
Curator-led Walking Tour with Edith and Jolly de Guzman
- 2:30–4pm
