Go Bananas!

Houston Botanic Garden’s popular Go Bananas! festival moves from June to September in 2024, allowing the more than a dozen varieties of edible and ornamental Musa in the Garden’s living plant collections to put their impressive summer growth on display. At the same time, the fun and family friendly celebration of the world’s largest herb is more a-peeling than ever.

For the cost of a general admission ticket on Saturday, Sept. 21, attendees can sample different banana varieties, help judge a banana bread baking competition, shop a festive market featuring local vendors, visit with the Garden’s horticulturists to learn tips for growing bananas at home, and even purchase a potted banana plant from the Garden’s collection. With a live DJ, craft stations, and banana margaritas, the day features activities for every age and interest. Access to the entire Garden, including the newly opened “Habitat” exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, is also part of the Go Bananas! experience.

Go Bananas! tickets are included in the cost of general admission to the Garden, which is $15/adult, $10/child/student on Saturday. Members can use the free general admission benefit(s) associated with their level of membership to attend at no additional charge.

Go Bananas! visitors can also choose to begin their day with an upscale brunch from Houston chef Marlies Westerval, at an additional charge.

Houston Botanic Garden offers free parking for daytime events, which are rain or shine.

Go Bananas! is presented with sponsorship support from AARP Texas & AARP Texas en Español.