October 14, 2026
By: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Halloween at the Greater Des Moines BOOtanical Garden
Halloween in Des Moines is getting a BOOtanical twist this October as the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden transforms its tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House into the BOOtanical Garden.
From Eerie Evenings under the dome to an adults-only night of local brews and a family-friendly day of trick-or-TREEting, there’s a way for everyone to celebrate the season at the Garden. Here’s what to know before you plan your visit.
Choose Your BOOtanical Experience
The Garden’s Halloween programming includes three distinct experiences, each offering its own take on the spooky season.
![Halloween eyes on cacti]()
Eerie Evenings invite guests to explore the Garden after dark. On select nights from Friday, Oct. 23 through Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, visitors can wander through the tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House from 6–9 p.m., surrounded by Halloween décor, dramatic lighting and spectral plants. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
For those looking to add a little more fun to their Friday night, Boos & Brews brings an adults-only celebration to the Garden on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 from 7–10 p.m., guests ages 21 and older can sample beverages from local breweries and cideries while enjoying a live DJ, strolling magic, glam face painting, festival glitter, airbrush body tattoos and hair tinsel. Featured breweries and cideries include Big Grove Brewery, Fenceline Beer Lab, Firetrucker Brewery, Iowa Brewers Union, Reclaimed Rails and Wilson’s Orchard & Farm.
Then on Halloween Day, families can head to Trick or Trees for a daytime celebration that puts a botanical spin on trick-or-treating. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 guests can come in costume, explore activity and trick-or-treating stations and enjoy entertainment throughout the Garden. The day includes face painting, acrobatic performances, balloon art, a stilt walker, strolling magic and a stage show.
![Halloween pumpkin tree]()
Discover the Spooky Side of Plants
Throughout BOOtanical Halloween, guests can also discover some of the wonderfully weird ways plants survive, adapt and interact with the world around them. Think carnivorous plants, poisonous plants, bat pollination and other fascinating features of the natural world.
During Eerie Evenings, guests can stop by the Succulent Cauldron Drop-In and plant a vining succulent in a mini cauldron to take home. Those looking to dig a little deeper can sign up for a Carnivorous Plant Container experience on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 from 5:30–7 p.m., where participants will learn about these unusual plants and create their own container to take home.
Make a Night of It
For adults looking to add something extra to their Halloween plans, Halloween Happy Hour takes place Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 from 6–7 p.m. for guests ages 21 and older. And with a little help from the Iowa Taproom, guests can keep the Halloween fun going before or after their visit to the Garden.
Throughout October 2026, guests attending Eerie Evenings or Boos & Brews can show their event ticket receipt at Iowa Taproom and receive a free beer with the purchase of another beer of equal or lesser value, with a limit of one per customer.
For those who visit the Iowa Taproom first, save the receipt and bring it to the Garden during Botanical Garden Daily General Admission hours and receive BOGO admission. The offer is limited to one free admission per group.
![tentacles under the Botanical Garden dome]()
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re looking for a night out, a Halloween activity for the kids or a new way to appreciate the strange and surprising side of the plant world, BOOtanical Halloween offers it all.
Tickets and admission details vary by event, and advance purchase is encouraged. Find tickets, event details and the full BOOtanical Halloween schedule on the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden's website calendar.
Find your true nature where you can explore, create and celebrate in every season.
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