Dallas Arboretum Presents Dallas Blooms: Sounds of Spring
Presented by IBERIABANK, Festival Runs February 29 to April 12, 2020
Music and nature come to life at the Dallas Arboretum with Dallas Blooms, one of the Southwest’s largest floral festival with more than 500,000 spring blooming bulbs from 100 bulb varieties. Named one of the “world’s most beautiful gardens” by MSN.com, guests can experience one of the country’s most colorful springtime displays and celebrate the joy of music with the “Sounds of Spring” theme. Six majestic topiaries adorn the garden, each depicting a different musical instrument, including a harp, bass, guitar and saxophone, as well as two topiary musicians. One musician is playing the violin, the other is playing the piano.
Alan Walne, Dallas Arboretum board chairman, said, “Gather the family and enjoy music in bloom. Celebrate a different genre of music each week including Texas Country, Classic Rock and Roll and Classical. Come for the flowers and stay for the fun during Dallas Blooms.”
During the opening weekend on February 29 and March 1, visitors kick off Dallas Blooms with Blooms, Boots & BBQ Fest:
- BBQ vendors in the garden
- BBQ demonstrations at A Tasteful Place
- Line dancing lessons on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn, and
- Two incredible country bands.
Musical highlights:
- During spring break week from March 16 to 20, visitors can take a tour around the world with music and entertainment from a different region of the world each day for seven days.
- A Tasteful Place features demonstrations and classes in theme with each music genre.
- Each weekend from 2 to 4 p.m., live bands perform on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic basket or purchase food and soak up the lovely spring weather while listening to the music.
- The celebrations continue with events suitable for the whole family including a Limbo contest during Island Music Day, and a rock-paper-scissors championship during Classic Rock and Roll weekend.
Main Garden Activities
*All activities listed below are free with paid garden admission
Mommy and Me Mondays & Tiny Tot Tuesdays
March 2-April 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Pecan Grove
Bring a picnic with the kiddos, and enjoy children’s activities including face painting by A Fresh Perspective, Country Critters Petting Zoo and Kindermusik at noon. Moms can enjoy an outdoor stroller workout with Fit4Mom White Rock Dallas on Mondays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
Musical Scavenger Hunt Thursday
Every Thursday, March 5-April 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Pick up a scavenger hunt every Thursday at the information booth. Follow along and stroll through the garden to complete the scavenger hunt. This is a great way to engage children or a group of friends.
Spring Tea
Monday-Friday, March 2-April 10, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Enjoy Spring Tea in the garden with a group of friends or family. Seated tea pricing begins at $49 per person, which includes garden parking and admission. Added champagne service increases the price $59 per person. For questions, please call 214.515.6511 or email teas@dallasarboretum.org. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.
Dallas Blooms “Sounds of Spring”
February 29-April 12, Daily, 9 a.m-5 p.m.
Blooms festival features a different genre of music each week.
February 29-March 6: Texas Country
March 7-March 13: Classical Music
March 14-March 20: World Music
March 21-March 27: R&B and Soul
March 28-April 3: Classic Rock and Roll
April 4-April 12: Pop
Live Music: Weekend Bands
February 29-April 12, 2-4 p.m., Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn
February 29: The Powell Brothers
March 1: For Love and Country
March 7: Dallas Unity String Orchestra
March 8: Astraios Chamber Music (musicians play at each topiary)
March 14: Havana NRG
March 15: Sweet Steel
March 21: The Coppertones
March 22: Synergy
March 28: Monkey Love
March 29: The Blandelles
April 4: Six of The Matter
April 5: Yardgoat
April 11: Emerald City Presents: Elevation
April 12: The Gibbonses
Blooms, Boots & BBQ
February 29 & March 1, Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn
Kick off Dallas Blooms with a boot scooting good time. Blooms, Boots & BBQ Fest features BBQ vendors, dance performances, line dancing lessons, music and a “These Boots Are Made for Walking” contest. Two crowd-pleasing country bands, The Powell Brothers on Saturday, and For Love and Country on Sunday, perform from 2-4 p.m. The Lake Highlands Wranglers perform at 11 a.m. and the SMU Mustang Mavericks perform directly after on Saturday, and again on Sunday at 11 a.m. Guests can learn how to line dance after both performances. Meat Church demonstrates how to prepare some Texas-inspired dishes at 1 p.m. in A Tasteful Place. Guests can stop by the table in the Entry Plaza on both days and enter “These Boots Are Made for Walking” contest to prove they have the best boots. A picture of their boots is taken, and the winner is announced at the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn at 3:45 p.m. Winners receive a pack of four concert tickets to a Cool Thursdays Concert.
National Pi Day Celebration
March 14, 11 a.m., A Tasteful Place & Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn
Pi and pie enthusiasts are invited to the garden on National Pi Day. Dallas’ favorite pie bakery, Emporium Pies, demonstrates how to make one of their delicious creations at A Tasteful Place at 11 a.m. True pie fans are welcome to enter the pie eating contest at noon on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn. Following the contest, Pi aficionados have a chance to wow everyone with their memorization skills in the Pi reciting contest at 12:30 p.m.
Easter Weekend
April 10-12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pecan Grove & Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn
There are plenty of activities for the whole family during Easter weekend. Kids can enjoy complimentary face painting and a petting zoo all three days from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Pecan Grove. Eddie Coker, sponsored by DFWChild, performs two energetic shows on Good Friday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Help the garden break the world record for the largest bunny hop at noon on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn. Elevation, an Emerald City party band, performs on Saturday, April 11, and The Gibbonses bring their show-stopping performance on Sunday April 12. Both performances are from 2-4 p.m.
A Tasteful Place
*All activities listed below are free with paid garden admission
Seasonal Tastings, Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Try three free different samples featuring a weekly hero vegetable, fruit or herb from the garden. Visit www.dallasarboretum.org/recipes for past, current and future recipes.
Daily Harvest, Every Tuesday & Thursday, 10 a.m.
Join the horticulture team as they demonstrate harvesting produce in the garden.
El Centro College Cooks, Every Monday, 11 a.m.-Noon
Participate in this popular cooking demonstration, taught by Chef Lisa Roark from El Centro College’s nationally recognized Hospitality and Culinary Institute. Two new recipes are demonstrated each month.
February-Mustard Green Salad & Onion Jam Open Faced Grilled Cheese Sandwich
March-Green Bean Amandine Salad & Tomato Galette
April-Braised Radishes with Crusty Bread & Sesame Soybean Salad
Tasteful Tuesday Demonstrations, March 3-April 7, 11 a.m.-Noon
Learn how to creatively work with flowers from professional florists and designers. Each week’s class follows the music theme celebrated in the main garden during the Blooms Festival.
March 3: Michael Hamilton
March 10: Token Flowers
March 17: Enflowerment
March 24: McShan Florist
March 3: Ruibal’s
April 7: Token Flowers
Wine Down Wednesdays with Checkered Past Winery
March 4-April 8, Noon-3 p.m., Three Sisters Lagoon Overlook
Checkered Past Winery brings a variety of their delicious wines for guests 21 and older to sample. This a great opportunity to sip and learn from this local vintner.
DEMONSTRATION COOKING
Chef-Tastic Cooking Series
Wednesdays & Saturdays, 11 a.m.-Noon
Watch a demonstration from local chefs as they make one of their signature dishes with a small taste for attendees to sample.
February 29: Meat Church- Enjoy a BBQ demonstration celebrating opening weekend of Dallas Blooms, Blooms, Boots and BBQ.
March 4: Chef Randy White
March 11: Proper Baking Company-Join Proper Baking to learn how to make an authentic British baked treat—the Victoria Sponge cake.
March 14: Emporium Pies-Celebrate National Pi Day with Emporium Pies demonstrating how to make one of their most popular pies, the Blue Steel.
March 18: Vestal’s Catering- Celebrate France in the garden with a demonstration on how to make traditional French macarons.
March 21: The Corn Dog Guy- Guests can enjoy a “soul food” demonstration.
April 1: Vestal’s Catering
April 8: One Great Vegan- Guests can enjoy a special musical cooking demonstration and learn how to make Jamaican purple stew and rainbow chickpea salad.
April 11: Charlie’s Treats-The kid-made and kid-owned business is back in the garden showing guests how to make Charlie’s famous cinnamon sugar pecans.
Learn to Grow
Horticulture Presentation on Select Fridays, 11 a.m.-Noon
Presented by the North Texas Master Gardeners or the Dallas Arboretum Horticultural Staff. Enjoy special tips and presentations on spring and early summer gardening.
March 13: Plan your spring flower garden complete with tasty, attractive edibles.
March 27: Containers are becoming more and more popular – learn how to keep them growing and looking great.
April 3: Growing in our zone – the best plants for the Dallas area.
Paid Classes/Events for A Tasteful Place
For more information and to register for classes and events below, visit www.dallasarboretum.org/blooms. Click the “Classes and Events” tab to register for the paid classes and events listed below.
National Cereal Day Party
March 7, 9-11 a.m., Adults $11/Children $8
Come children of all ages, young and old, for a breakfast cereal party to celebrate National Cereal Day. Stop by A Tasteful Place to choose breakfast from the cereal bar while watching Saturday morning cartoons.
Chocolate Lover’s French Recipes Presented by My French Recipe
March 7, Noon-2 p.m., $80
The expert French chefs at My French Recipe teach a two-hour class on how to make a delicious milk chocolate & caramel mousse as well as, a decadent dark chocolate soufflé. Each participant also receives a recipe booklet for future chocolate baking adventures.
Spring Wreath Making Class Presented by Michael Hamilton
March 21, 2-4 p.m., $115
Join Michael Hamilton, the visual designer behind the DeGolyer House holiday exhibits for almost 20 years, as he brings one of his most requested classes to A Tasteful Place. Michael brings his meticulous eye for detail and crafting and shows attendees step-by-step how to create a show-stopping spring wreath. Supplies and instructions are provided, and all attendees create and take home a wreath.
Spring Cookie Decorating Class Presented by Creative Cookies & Pops
March 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., $60
Learn the tricks of the trade to create an expertly decorated set of scrumptious sugar cookies – perfect for spring celebrations. Each attendee leaves the class with half a dozen cookies that are tiny works of art.
Couples Night Out: Scardello Cheese & Wine Tasting Class – Italian
April 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Single ticket: $55, Couple Ticket: $100
Enjoy a special night out in the garden with Scardello, an artisan cheese shop focusing on cut-to-order, handcrafted cheeses. Instructed by shop owner Rich Rogers, this class is a fantastic opportunity to learn all about pairing cheese with wine from an expert. This class focuses on Italy and delights taste buds as attendees explore eight Italian cheeses, from robiolas to the undisputed “King of Cheese,” paired with four delicious wines.
Paint to Music Presented by Anne Gunthner Art
April 5, 2-4 p.m., $85
Celebrate art month with this unique class that is designed to spark creativity with painting to beautiful and relaxing live music. Anne Gunthner, a classically trained artist, instructs and guides attendees to create beautiful works of art as live music, performed by Mary Dibbern, plays in the background. Dibbern is a concert pianist and graduate of SMU in her eighth season as The Dallas Opera’s Music Director of Education and Family Programs. Attendees take their artwork home after the end of the class.
Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden
Special Themed Weekends
Visit www.dallasarboretum.org/childrensadventuregarden for a full list of activities, specific dates and times for themed weekends.
Dallas Blooms Kickoff Weekend, February 29- March 1
Tulips are here, and with the theme “Sounds of Spring,” the science of sound also makes its way into the Children’s Adventure Garden. Embrace the wonders of the natural world as a whole as the garden comes out of winter hibernation on February 29. Don’t miss out on a special guest who helps celebrate the start of National Reading Month on March 1 as Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat.
Learn Like a Girl, March 7-8
To celebrate International Women’s Day, learn about amazing accomplishments, achievements and discoveries women in science have made over the years.
Around the World in One Week: Spring Break Edition, March 15-20
While school is out, bring the kids out for a week full of exploration. Journey around the world in one week with a new plant lab every day. Do not miss out on a special spring animal adventure with the Dallas Zoo on March 17.
Easter Weekend with a Plant Lab EGG-stravaganza, April 10-13
The Children’s Adventure Garden is bunny hopping into Easter weekend for four full days of eggs-treme programming. Start the adventure at the Creative Corner, then head to the plant lab for an egg-citing Easter affair. Learn about natural dyes at the Plant Lab for an egg-squisite egg dying egg-sperience. The plant lab does egg-speriments EVERY hour on the hour beginning at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. (No reservations; all participants must be present and in lab seats for spot).
Discounts
BOGO Wednesdays*
Every Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Buy one, get one admission every Wednesday. *Excludes March 18.
CC Young Senior Living Thursdays
Every Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Seniors 65 and older get in for $12 general garden admission on Thursdays and receive a 20 percent discount in the Hoffman Family Gift Store. Discount available at ticket booth only.
Rideshare Discount
Located at Gate 3 on Private Drive and Garland Road
If you use a rideshare service (Uber, Lyft, etc.) to attend the garden, receive $1 off general admission, one per ride. Present rideshare receipt at the ticket booth. Only valid on day of visit. For pre-purchased online admission, guests receive a $1 coupon (one per ride) valid at the Terrace Café, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members can present their rideshare receipt to receive $1 off their renewal for every trip to the garden using a rideshare service for up to $10. The drop-off can also be used by guests to drop off loved ones and coolers, as well! We encourage drop-offs to park in the garage across the street. For more information please visit our website: www.dallasarboretum.org/parking
*Note, we will no longer offer valet parking to the public during festivals.
Dallas Blooms Sponsors: IBERIABANK, CC Young Senior Living and DFWChild.
About the Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. The Dallas Arboretum is also the home of the internationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. The Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $17 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $12 for children 2-12, and free for Arboretum members and children under two. On-site parking is $15 or $10, if purchased in advance online. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. The Arboretum is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. WFAA, Channel 8 is an official media sponsor for the Dallas Arboretum.
