Join us in the Garden for a different story every week. This December we will celebrate winter and all of the joys of the coming season! Come dance, sing and listen to new stories with us. December 29th’s book will be “The Shortest Day” by Susan Cooper.

This reading will take place inside our heated Greenhouse. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will venture outside if weather permits.

$8 per person, FREE for members & children ages 6 and under (pay at Admissions).

Join us in the Garden for a different story every week. This December we will celebrate winter and all of the joys of the coming season! Come dance, sing and listen to new stories with us. December 22nd’s book will be “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss.

This reading will take place inside our heated Greenhouse. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will venture outside if weather permits.

$8 per person, FREE for members & children ages 6 and under (pay at Admissions).

Everyone knows a handmade gift is extra special. Join us in the Garden for a hands-on, holiday crafting experience that will be fun for the whole family! Craft tables will be available in the greenhouse and outside in our nursery. Come and make a bird feeder, recycled tin lantern or a tree cookie ornament!

$2/Members; $5/Non-Members; kids ages 6 and under are free. Price includes admission into the Garden and all craft supplies.

Hot chocolate and tea will be available for purchase. Bring your own mug to walk with in the Garden!

Create a holiday treat basket with Soul Sisters Basketree. All materials are supplied to make this perfect gift or display for the holiday season. It starts with a 3" X 6" wooden oval base and is woven with a continuous weave.The dimension is approximately 4" X 7" X 4". There are three colors to choose from with different embellishments so everyone leaves with their own unique creation that may be given as a personal gift or used throughout the year for your trinkets or treats.

There is a $2 fee for all cancellations; no refunds given with less than 48 hours notice.

Join local artist, Nathan Perry, for a fun two-day workshop on Introduction to Scratchboard and Drawing Fundamentals. Workshop will take place on December 8th and December 15th in ABG's heated Greenhouse. This workshop will acquaint students with materials, the history of scratchboard, what scratchboard is, line techniques, development of drawing skills, composition, and creativity. The class is designed for students to complete at least one scratchboard art piece. All materials are included, no single day registrations. There is a $5 cancellation fee for all cancellations, no refunds for cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice.

Scratchboard is the practice of illustrating a dramatically highlighted drawing onto a stark rich black background. It is a technique that can create highly detailed and textured imagery using a variety of tools. Scratchboard is becoming more known as a creative medium and its possibilities as are being re-imagined all the time.

Nathan Perry is an Alaska artist and Graphic Designer who has taught art classes for the Anchorage School District and adult continuing education classes at the Alaska Fine Arts Academy and the University of Alaska Anchorage. He creates intricately crafted scratchboard and graphite drawings and paintings and his subject matter includes portraiture, wild life, landscape, Abstract Expressionism and spiritual themes.

Join us in the Garden for a different story every week. This December we will celebrate winter and all of the joys of the coming season! Come dance, sing and listen to new stories with us. December 15th’s book will be “Hanukkah in Alaska” by Barbara Brown

This reading will take place inside our heated Greenhouse. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will venture outside if weather permits.

$8 per person, FREE for members & children ages 6 and under (pay at Admissions).

Join local artist Tommy 'Salami' O'Malley (in collaboration with the Girdwood Arts Institute) for a beginners workshop on ice carving (suitable for ages 16+). Participants will learn about properties of ice, carving techniques, and tool safety. Each participant will receive step-by-step instructions to carve one 10’’ x 10’’ block of ice and all necessary tools. No prior experience is necessary; come and learn a new hobby or skill!

Space is limited; please register ahead of time to secure a spot. Due to high demand, this class will offered twice (December 13th and January 10th). Participants will need to bring a set of warm waterproof gloves and appropriate clothing for standing outside for approximately 2 hours as they carve (workshop takes place completely outside).

What to bring to stay warm and dry!

• Dress for winter! Wear layers, winter boots and a winter hat.

• Insulated rubber gloves under winter gloves or mittens, or even plastic bags worn over mittens, will help to keep you dry and warm.

• Extra gloves and mittens (to replace wet ones)

• Hand warmers

• Sunglasses or protective goggles

• Drinking water, snack, and anything else you may need to stay warm

Join local artist Tommy 'Salami' O'Malley (in collaboration with the Girdwood Arts Institute) for a kid friendly ice carving workshop (recommended for kids ages 8-15). Participants will learn about the basics of ice carving and how to safely use hand tools while creating a fun seasonal ice sculpture to take home. Each participant must be accompanied by an adult (you do not need to buy a separate ticket).

Space is limited; please register ahead of time to secure a spot. Due to high demand this class will be offered twice (December 13th and January 10th). Participants will need to bring a set of warm waterproof gloves and appropriate clothing for standing outside for approximately 2 hours as they carve (workshop takes place completely outside).

What to bring to stay warm and dry!

• Dress for winter! Wear layers, winter boots and a winter hat.

• Insulated rubber gloves under winter gloves or mittens, or even plastic bags worn over mittens, will help to keep you dry and warm.

• Extra gloves and mittens (to replace wet ones)

• Hand warmers

• Sunglasses or protective goggles

• Drinking water, snack, and anything else you may need to stay warm

Create a winter themed village of gingerbread houses with paint pens and recyclable cardboard. Use patterns or create your own variety of shapes, designs, and decorations. Practice drawing and cutting out trees, light posts, moose, windows, roof lines, and doors to create a charming holiday scene for your mantel, window, tabletop or staircase. Learn attachment techniques to create free standing gingerbread houses or add twine to make garland. Taught by local artist, Betany Porter.

There is a $2 cancellation fee for all cancellations. No refunds given for cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice.

Capture the glow and movement of Alaska’s Northern Lights in a one-of-a-kind wool painting! In this hands-on needle felting workshop at the Alaska Botanical Garden, you’ll explore the art of “painting with wool” as you blend colorful fibers to create your own aurora-inspired landscape.

Instructor Renae Bookman will guide you through techniques for layering and shading wool roving, building texture, and using felting needles to create depth and luminosity. Whether you imagine the aurora dancing over snowy mountains or shimmering across tundra hills, you’ll leave with a completed felted scene ready to display or gift.

For ages 8 & up. All supplies are provided. Additional supply kits are available to purchase. This class is perfect for beginners or returning felters looking to try something new.

There is a $2 cancellation fee for all cancellations. No refunds for cancellations requested with less than 48 hours notice.

Come join ABG staff member, Katie Redmond, in making botanically adorned lanterns to light your way in the darkest time of year. These lanterns will be made with paper, glue, balloons and flowers pressed from the garden! All materials will be included. Bring the family and make one together; appropriate for ages 7+.

There is a $2 fee for all cancellations; no refunds for requests made with less than 48 hours notice.

Join local artist, Nathan Perry, for a fun two-day workshop on Introduction to Scratchboard and Drawing Fundamentals. Workshop will take place on December 8th and December 15th in ABG's heated Greenhouse. This workshop will acquaint students with materials, the history of scratchboard, what scratchboard is, line techniques, development of drawing skills, composition, and creativity. The class is designed for students to complete at least one scratchboard art piece. All materials are included, no single day registrations. There is a $5 cancellation fee for all cancellations, no refunds for cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice.

Scratchboard is the practice of illustrating a dramatically highlighted drawing onto a stark rich black background. It is a technique that can create highly detailed and textured imagery using a variety of tools. Scratchboard is becoming more known as a creative medium and its possibilities as are being re-imagined all the time.

Nathan Perry is an Alaska artist and Graphic Designer who has taught art classes for the Anchorage School District and adult continuing education classes at the Alaska Fine Arts Academy and the University of Alaska Anchorage. He creates intricately crafted scratchboard and graphite drawings and paintings and his subject matter includes portraiture, wild life, landscape, Abstract Expressionism and spiritual themes.

Join us in the Garden for a different story every week. This December we will celebrate winter and all of the joys of the coming season! Come dance, sing and listen to new stories with us. December 8th’s book will be “It’s Winter” by Renée Kurilla.

This reading will take place inside our heated Greenhouse. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will venture outside if weather permits.

$8 per person, FREE for members & children ages 6 and under (pay at Admissions).

Learn to grow your own mushrooms! Join the owners of Far North Fungi, Allison and Gabe, for a hands-on workshop on growing oyster mushrooms.They’ll bring a mobile lab where you can create your own mushroom kit to take home. This workshop includes a 30 minute lecture, instructed lab time, and unlimited Q&A. Please wear clean clothes for lab time. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. There is a $5 cancellation fee for all cancellations; no refunds for requests made with less then 48 hours notice.