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.

  • Little Explorers

    Little Explorers

    Explore, play, and create with us at Little Explorers. In celebration of the debut of our dinosaur installation at the Descanso Railroad, families with young children (aged 2–7 years old) will enjoy dinosaur-themed arts, crafts, and nature exploration inspired by prehistoric plants and animals. Come discover hands-on activities, explore special fossils from the Natural History […]

    Included with admission or membership
  • Journal of Therolinguistics

    Journal of Therolinguistics

    This spring, the Boddy House at Descanso Gardens transforms into a living research center exploring the concept of non-human languages in nature through works by seven international artists. Curated by Oscar Salguero, the exhibition Journal of Therolinguistics explores communication across species as acts of ecological kinship and fascination. The exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in […]

    Included with admission or membership
  • Summer Yoga

    Summer Yoga

    This class is part of a weekly Friday yoga group that started on May 15, 2026. If you missed this round, don’t worry! Check out our events calendar to discover more wellness programs at Descanso Gardens.

  • Little Explorers

    Little Explorers

    Explore, play, and create with us at Little Explorers. In celebration of the debut of our dinosaur installation at the Descanso Railroad, families with young children (aged 2–7 years old) will enjoy dinosaur-themed arts, crafts, and nature exploration inspired by prehistoric plants and animals. Come discover hands-on activities, explore special fossils from the Natural History […]

    Included with admission or membership
  • Journal of Therolinguistics

    Journal of Therolinguistics

    This spring, the Boddy House at Descanso Gardens transforms into a living research center exploring the concept of non-human languages in nature through works by seven international artists. Curated by Oscar Salguero, the exhibition Journal of Therolinguistics explores communication across species as acts of ecological kinship and fascination. The exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in […]

    Included with admission or membership
  • Spring Blooms Tour

    Spring Blooms Tour

    Join the Descanso Gardens horticulture department for a guided walking tour to learn about the vast beauty in our gardens during peak bloom season. Enjoy beautiful spring flowers and learn about the plants that add color to Descanso. Tours may include off-path exploration. Free with admission, no registration required. Meets at Center Circle.

  • Little Explorers

    Little Explorers

    Explore, play, and create with us at Little Explorers. In celebration of the debut of our dinosaur installation at the Descanso Railroad, families with young children (aged 2–7 years old) will enjoy dinosaur-themed arts, crafts, and nature exploration inspired by prehistoric plants and animals. Come discover hands-on activities, explore special fossils from the Natural History […]

    Included with admission or membership
  • Drop-in Yoga

    Drop-in Yoga

    Whether you are a beginner or an experienced yogi, drop in for a rejuvenating yoga session. This all-levels practice is rooted in Hatha and Anusara yoga with a focus on breathwork, somatics, and good tunes.  Attendees are encouraged to bring yoga mats.  Meets on the Main Lawn. Free with admission, no registration required.  About Monica Percich […]

    Included with admission or membership
  • Journal of Therolinguistics

    Journal of Therolinguistics

    This spring, the Boddy House at Descanso Gardens transforms into a living research center exploring the concept of non-human languages in nature through works by seven international artists. Curated by Oscar Salguero, the exhibition Journal of Therolinguistics explores communication across species as acts of ecological kinship and fascination. The exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in […]

    Included with admission or membership
  • Sound of Water

    Sound of Water

    Water has long shaped life in Japan. As an island nation surrounded by the sea and nourished by abundant rainfall, Japan depends on water for its fertile landscapes and rich food sources.  In contemporary Japanese art, water continues to be a powerful theme.  Sound of Water: Feminine Expressions of Fluidity features paintings, prints, and sculptures […]

  • Sound of Water Opening Reception

    Join us at the Sturt Haaga Gallery for the opening reception of the exhibition Sound of Water: Feminine Expressions of Fluidity. Meet the artists and curator Meher McArthur, and enjoy music and a no-host bar. Sound of Water explores water’s many moods and manifestations in contemporary Japanese art. From feminine, soft and serene, to powerful […]

    Free
  • Journal of Therolinguistics

    Journal of Therolinguistics

    This spring, the Boddy House at Descanso Gardens transforms into a living research center exploring the concept of non-human languages in nature through works by seven international artists. Curated by […]

    Included with admission or membership