Each year, for one evening only, Tohono Chul Park opens its doors to visitors from around the world—here to experience the elusive Peniocereus greggii. When the summer heat begins to build, the buds of the night-blooming cereus begin to appear and mass blooming follows one night each summer between the end of May and late July. Be one of the lucky ones to experience these magnificent plants in their full glory. Let your senses be touched by these gorgeous flowers and breathe in their intense and intoxicating scent.

In 2010, the Park opened Friday, July 16 from 6pm until midnight. More than 1200 Tucsonans and out-of-towners (one woman drove from Albuquerque the afternoon before just to be here for the event!) strolled the trails, sharing a warm desert night and the sights and smells of dozens of blooming plants. Visitors had an opportunity to enjoy the viewing as well as listen to our Curator of Plants, Russ Buhrow talk about the queen of the night at 7pm and 9pm in the Performance Garden.

Check out a time lapse video of a night-blooming cereus on our Cereus Stories page.

Each year, we begin updates of the progress of bud growth and projections of bloom night starting in late May, continuing until we announce the event. If you missed this special evening, please sign up for our email notification list for next year by emailing marketing@tohonochulpark.org.