1st Saturday for Families
2025-11-01 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
First Saturday for Families • November 1, 10am-12pm
Bring the whole family to the Gardens from 10am-12pm. There will be a LEGO building station in the gift shop, a nature-based fall craft and a new scavenger hunt to take with you while you wander through the Gardens.
Free with general admission and for members.

1st Friday Presentation: "The Secret (and Essential) Lives of Moths"
2025-11-07 10:00 - 23:30
WHAT: First Friday Presentation – The Secret (and Essential) lives of Moths
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 7th @ 10 AM
WHERE: Larkins Classroom
In this talk, artist Rachel Wright will discuss the magnificent moth and how it has gotten all the bad publicity. Join us to discover how moths are an essential part of the ecosystem, hear fascinating stories about moths and their biology, and see some downright beautiful moths.
There is no cost to attend the presentation but please RSVP by emailing Jessica here.

Sketch Club in the Gardens
2025-11-07 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-14 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-21 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-28 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-05 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-12 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-19 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-26 14:00 - 16:00 and 8 more dates
What: A casual sketch club experience with oversight from Derek Norman, botanical arts instructor
When: Friday afternoons, 2-4pm*
Where: The Larkins Classroom OR at Magnolia Hill Studio
Cost: FREE for MBG Members, regular admission for nonmembers. (Benefits of membership) (Join Now!)
*The sketch club generally meets on Friday afternoons, subject to availability of space. Contact the office at 251.342.0555 to verify hours of activity on specific dates.

-=-The drawings and paintings shown here are by recent members of the Gardens Sketch Club and botanical art students of the MBG. They serve as examples of what can be achieved by those with none or very little previous experience drawing and painting.
We invite you to visit the Garden’s Sketch Club and to enjoy the therapeutic rewards of learning to draw and drawing to learn! Learn how art can transform and enrich your life plus enhance your physical and mental well-being.
We meet each Friday afternoon in an open studio where we usually work, study, draw and paint. We exchange information relevant to the business of botanical art, art in general and to the consideration of individual botanical art concerns.
Join the MBG Sketch Club. – a whole new world of infinite possibilities! -=-
-Derek Norman, Educator, Designer, Artist, Author, Curator & sometime Writer. 5th October 2024
Join Derek and several of his Botanical Arts students for an enjoyable afternoon of sketching the collections of MBG.

Precious Metal Clay Jewelry Design Class
2025-11-08 09:00 - 14:00
Introduction to Precious Metal Clay Fine Silver Jewelry Design
Saturday, November 8
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
$295 for Not-Yet Members
$285 for Members (difference refunded after purchase)
Class is limited to 6 students so be sure to sign up today!
This 5-hour class will introduce you to the interesting life of design through the application of fine silver metal clay.
In this class you will briefly learn the history of PMC, and the unique characteristics of the process and materials that make it both challenging and rewarding. We will sculpt, sand and dry the fine silver pieces to prepare for firing. During this class, you will be able to design at least one pendant and one or two pair of earrings. The price of the class includes all materials including the fine silver clay, the consumables needed to design the pieces, the firing and tumbling of your work.
The instructor, Kathryn Whetstone, is a Level 3 Certified PMC Instructor who was trained under well-known jeweler and PMC designer, Teva Chaffin of Nashville, Tn. Kathryn began her training at William Holland School of Lapidiary Arts in Georgia in 2006 and then continued studying under Teva in Nashville for at least 5 more years.. Kathryn has taught metal clay classes in the Auburn-Opelika area for the last 10 years and has studied more recently under the tutelage of Laurie LaMarca, a celebrated Metal Clay artist from Louisiana.
Please Note: Students are responsible for bringing their own lunch and snacks.
Register Here

Candle Making Class
2025-11-08 16:00 - 18:00
Candle Making Class
Taught by Seanna Mongon – Humble Hope Candle Co.
Saturday, November 8th , 4 – 6 PM
$50 for Not-Yet Members
$45 for Members (difference refunded after purchase)
Register Here
Bring a friend and come and create your own glowing masterpiece!
Join us for a hands-on, sensory candle making experience! You will craft your own signature candle using a coconut wax blend and customizing the fragrance with premium fragrance oils. Embellish your candle with creative touches like shimmering mica powder, dried herbs and flowers and handmade wax embellishments.
After creating and naming your one-of-a-kind candle you will have a chance to submit your signature name to Seanna. Each season she chooses a custom scent and name from the submissions to include in the Humble Hope candle line!
What is included:

learn the basics of candle making
how to safely melt, scent and pour your candle
phthalate, sulfate and prop 65 safe premium fragrances
create and decorate with mica powder and wax melt embellishments (flowers, shapes, textures)
a personalized candle to take home

A portion of class fees go to support Love All Food Pantry in Mobile, AL.
About Your Instructor
Seanna Mongan is the founder and visionary behind Humble Hope Candle Co. and Humble Hope Cozy Cottage, located at Central Midtown at 1260 Dauphin St. With a deep-rooted passion for community and justice, Seanna was inspired to create a space where creativity and compassion could work hand in hand. Drawing on years of community outreach and her belief in second chances, she launched the Cottage to highlight local artisans, support sustainable practices, and create job opportunities for those in need.
Her mission is simple but powerful: build bridges through small acts of hope. Whether through a candle, a conversation, or a connection, Seanna’s heart for others is the soul of the Cottage — and the reason it feels like a hug the moment you walk in.
Register Here

Fall Floral Class with Susan from LUSH Florist
2025-11-22 10:00 - 12:00
Fall Bouquet Class
Saturday, November 22
10:00 AM – 12:00PM
$85 for Not-Yet Members
$80 for Members (difference refunded after purchase)
Come join the fun and let the experts from LUSH teach you the basics of floral arranging! This is an informal floral design class where you will learn some simple design concepts and create a bouquet of your own. You will leave with a beautiful fall-inspired arrangement perfect for your Thanksgiving tablescapes! All supplies are included.
Register here.

Holiday Market 2025
2025-12-05 09:00 - 15:00, 2025-12-06 09:00 - 15:00
MBG Holiday Market 2025
December 5th – 6th, 9 am – 3 PM
More Info to Come Soon!

Festive Nights in The Garden
2025-12-11 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-12 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-18 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-19 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-20 17:00 - 20:00
Festive Nights in the Garden
December 11 & 12, 18-20 • 5-8pm
Introducing our first Festive Nights in the Garden! Come enjoy an evening of holiday lighting, nature-themed hands-on crafts, a mini wreath making station and marshmallow roasting around fire pits.
Santa will be stopping by on the 11th, 12th, 18th and 20th, with a break to feed the reindeer on the 19th! Personal photos are allowed, no photo fee.
Stop by the gift shop for holiday gifts and a coffee and hot cocoa bar with coffee generously provided by Carpe Diem!
All activities, the coffee/hot cocoa bar and Santa are included in the ticket price. Pre-sale tickets coming soon!
Adults:
MBG Members: $15
Non-members: $18
Youth (5-17):
MBG Members: $6
Non-members: $8
Children 4 and under are free.

Interested in sponsoring this event? Come join the festivities!
Send an email to cklemmer@mbgardens.org to find out more info.

Gardening Basics Part 1: Preparing Garden Soil
2026-01-24 10:00 - 12:00
Gardening Basics: Preparing Garden Soil
Saturday, January 24
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Register Here
Learn how to start a bountiful garden from the soil up! Master Gardener Pat Hall will teach you all about choosing the best site for your vegetable garden, testing and preparing your soil for planting and how to create a raised bed garden.
Early registration is requested. Drop-in registration on the day of the class will be offered if spots are still available.
$7 for members (difference refunded after purchase)
$10 for not-yet-members
The Mobile County Master Gardeners generously donate their time and teaching expertise. All registration fees go directly to MBG to support the work of caring for our plant collections
Register Here

How to Make Elderberry Syrup Workshop
2026-02-07 13:00 - 15:00
Elderberry Syrup Workshop
Saturday, February 7th
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Instructor: Veronica Culberson, Honey of the Hill
Register Here!
$35 for Not-Yet Members
$30 for Members (difference refunded after purchase)
After selling out the first time, we are offering a second class! Start the new year off right with a post-holiday immune boost! Join us for a lesson on everything elderberry!
Elderberry syrup is a popular and long-trusted herbal wellness remedy and illness preventative. Well known for its abundance of vitamins and antioxidants, people have historically used elderberry combined with other natural immune supporting herbs and fruits to fight off seasonal illnesses like the flu and colds.
In this class we will learn all about elderberry syrup, from the source to the solution. Learn to identify elderberry plants in the wild, how to nurture them in your own yard, safe and sustainable harvesting, various preparations, storage and uses. Everyone will take home a pint of completed traditional elderberry syrup and a small potted elderberry plant to add to their landscape.
Register Here!
