Go Bananas!

This year, the popular Go Bananas! festival falls just after the Houston Botanic Garden’s fifth birthday, so there is even more to celebrate. This fun and family friendly annual event draws attention to the many varieties of edible and ornamental Musa (banana) — the world’s largest herb! — in the Garden’s living plant collections.

During Go Bananas, attendees can sample different banana varieties, 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 plant(s) from the Garden’s collection. With a DJ and live performance by AndyRoo (including the opportunity to sing “Happy Birthday” to the Garden), craft stations, “Banana Brainiac” trivia, and Sloomoo Institute giveaways, the day features activities for every age and interest. The banana bread baking competition — now featuring curated entries from local bakeries judged by a panel of previously selected judges — returns, and everyone who attends will receive a commemorative lapel pin to mark the Garden’s birthday. Neighborhood Tex-Mex restaurant Maria Rita’s will be selling banana daiquiris, banana margaritas, and banana bread beer, and Moooseum Ice Cream will be in our party tent selling banana splits. Access to the entire Garden, including the interactive water play in the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden, is also part of the Go Bananas! experience.

Like all of the Garden’s five annual festivals, Go Bananas! tickets are $20/adult, $16/child/student/senior/military. Members can use the free general admission benefit(s) associated with their level of membership to attend at no additional charge.

While supplies last, every visitor at Go Bananas on Sept. 20 will receive a one-of-a-kind 1.25″ lapel pin to commemorate the Garden’s fifth birthday.

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