Autumn at the Arboretum 2011

As the hot summer cools, the Dallas Arboretum transforms into a beautiful fall wonderland during Autumn at the Arboretum. This seasonal celebration runs from September 17 - November 23 and features fall flora as well as Cinderella’s Pumpkin Village – complete with her pumpkin-styled carriage awaiting fairytale photo ops. Fall is the perfect time for a picnic in the gardens with the family, a fun family photo or a leisurely stroll through the 150,000 blooming fall flowers and foliage plants.

Fall also stands for more than foliage and flowers at the Arboretum. The grounds will be filled with more than 50,000 pumpkins, squash and gourds. Guests will find displays featuring 45 varieties at unexpected locations – stacked near the entrance, lining the Paseo de Flores and marking the steps to the Women’s Garden.

In keeping with this year’s “It’s a Fairy Tale World” theme, Cinderella’s Pumpkin Village comes to life with four houses based on the classic fairytale. Constructed of 1,200 pumpkins and gourds, the houses depict Cinderella’s ballroom, the rooms of Cinderella and her ugly stepsisters, and the Fairy Godmother’s home. Children will be enchanted to explore the houses, and adults will be amazed at the construction details.

Cinderella’s Carriage also awaits visitors this fall. This beautiful life-sized carriage is white with gold detailing and measures more than six feet tall and six feet wide. Two full-size topiary horses “pull” the carriage. For a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas card photo, dress children like Cinderella and Prince Charming for a memory everyone will cherish long after the clock strikes 12!

Don’t miss the Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch where you can purchase pumpkins to take home to carve or cook! Or choose from an assortment of sizes to design your holiday display.

The many festival activities will deliver sure-fire family fun. Ongoing activities include The Great Pumpkin Search, Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Scavenger Hunt and the Hay Bale Maze. The festival also includes a variety of special events for children and adults.

For families with children under 5, Kimberly-Clark’s Mommy and Me Mondays and Dallas Child Magazine’s Tiny Tot Tuesdays are held in the Pecan Grove. They feature music, crafts, face painting, professional photos ($15 each) and more.

There’s also music in the gardens throughout the fall festival. Keyboardist Keith Schmorr performs on the Loggia from 11 am – 2 pm daily. On weekends, the Rhett Butler classical duet serenades guests from the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage from 12-4 pm Saturdays and 1-4 pm Sundays.

Information from venue