ArBOOretum
October 17 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grab your costumes and get the kids together for the Arboretum’s biggest family event of the year! ArBOOretum features fun fall activities for all ages including live animals, pumpkin decorating, and Houston’s only Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail. Enjoy these fall classics and so much more!
Last entry is 3:00 pm. No pets, please.
Comfortable walking shoes and costumes are encouraged! There will be no onsite parking – see below for parking and shuttle details.
This event is rain or shine. If the event is canceled, ticket price is considered a donation to the organization. Tickets are non-refundable.
Pricing & Registration
Arboretum Members
Free for Arboretum Members, registration required
Nonmembers
Free for children under age 3
$25 for ages 3 and up through Friday, October 16
$30 for ages 3 and up on Saturday, October 17
This year, registration is required for both Arboretum Members and nonmembers. All guests will also be required to select a preferred arrival time in order to help the Arboretum reduce wait times and create a smoother event experience.
If registration does not fill up in advance, limited day-of tickets will be available online or at the event entrance.
Please bring your registration email or QR code to check in at the event.
featured activities
- Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail
- Birds of Prey Program
- Snake Encounter
- Pumpkin Decorating
- Story Time
- Face Painting
- Photo Booth
- Carnival Games
- Train Rides
- Monster Mart
- Bat Cave Cooldown Area
- ArBOOretum Adventure
- Stilt Walker
- Pumpkin Patch & Photo Op
- Photo ops with Spider Man & Moana
Food Trucks & Refreshments
- Cotton Candy Robot Machine
- Popston
Monster Mart
- Arboretum Merch
- Brazos Bookstore
- Houston SPCA
- Math to the Point
- Otterwell Studio
Bat Cave
Beat the heat and join us in the Bat Cave – a covered tent with cooling fans and Popston frozen treats available for purchase!
A Zero Waste Event
ArBOOretum is going Zero Waste once again! That means that the Arboretum is trying to divert at least 90% of the event’s trash from ending up in a landfill. We will be working with Zero Waste Houston to compost and recycle most of the waste from the event.
Help us achieve a Zero Waste ArBOOretum by bringing a reusable water bottle and taking all of your waste to one of our festival’s Zero Waste Stations, where staff will help you sort it into the correct receptacle.
parking
Public Parking
Shuttles will be running throughout the day.
Elevator access available at the garage.
Accessibility
We want ArBOOretum to be a fun and welcoming experience for everyone. The following accessibility resources and accommodations will be available during the event.
An ASL interpreter will be available during our Story Time at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm at our Lily Pond Courtyard.
A quiet, climate-controlled cooldown room will be available in the Nature Center – Classroom Egret for guests who need a break from the heat, crowds, or activity. Guests are welcome to use this space as needed.
Accessible parking is available at the Woodway entrance/parking area at 4501 Woodway Drive.
For guests parking at the garage, elevator access is available.
ArBOOretum takes place throughout Houston Arboretum & Nature Center grounds, including paved and natural-surface paths. Some areas may be uneven or more difficult to navigate for guests using mobility devices, including the Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail.
If you have questions about accessibility, please visit the Accessibility page on our website. We’re happy to help make your visit as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Volunteers
Interested in volunteering at ArBOOretum? Visit our Group Volunteers page and scroll down to the bottom to see our seasonal group volunteer opportunities!
sponsors
Presenting
Supporting
Contributing
General
Zero Waste
Community Partner
