A er Dark
Welcome
Welcome to Garden: After Dark, where the Garden shines brighter.
Wander through the Garden’s 10 immersive light displays, each transforming the desert landscape into a glowing experience. As you follow the illuminated trails, vibrant colors and rhythmic light displays bring the desert to life in unexpected ways.
The signature feature, FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse, creates a mesmerizing atmosphere that turns the Garden into a radiant nighttime escape. Every installation offers a new perspective, inviting guests to pause, explore and experience the desert like never before.
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LIKE A PRO Glow
Dining Options
Savor the night at Gertrude’s by Tarbell’s to complement your After Dark experience.
After Dark Cocktail
Enjoy a Queen of the Night cocktail at Gertrude’s by Tarbell’s, a Vodka martini with lychee syrup and fresh lime.
Get Your Glow On
Swing by the Garden Shop until 8 p.m. to browse our exclusive glow merchandise and find the perfect keepsake to remember your night of wonder.
Glowing Photo Ops
Keep an eye out for After Dark photo markers as you stroll the trails.
The Insider’s Guide to Experiencing FRAMERATE:
Desert Pulse
STOP, EXPERIENCE, LISTEN
At each Desert Pulse installation, take a moment to sit, observe and listen. Sound and visuals of Desert Pulse are interwoven in a continuous loop that repeats several times per hour. Slow down, tune in and let the desert speak.
1
STOP 1: Present Echoes 5 min.
The plants you see in this Garden bed are the same plants you see on the screens. This garden bed was scanned every day for 365 days. One second on screen equals 25 days in real time!
4
STOP 4: Refuel + Horizon | Imprint
20 min.
Kick back on Ullman Terrace and take in this cinematic artwork, that inspires you to ponder human impact on the desert.
2 3
STOP 2: Elsewhen 10 min.
Head to Lewis Desert Portal and witness a saguaro’s transformation. As the landscape shifts seasonally, reflect on how forces of nature shape the natural world.
STOP 3: Calyx 7 min.
The vibrant cactus blooms you’ll see are a few of the species that the Garden is working to protect for generations to come.
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STOP 5:
Desert Pulse
24 min.
The RAF Exhibit Gallery
Step inside the heart of Desert Pulse. This continuous video loop features 20 screens that are accompanied by a soundscape to provide an immersive perspective of desert life and leave you in awe.
Stay at your leisure or experience it multiple times during your visit.
STOP 6: Making Desert Pulse Ottosen Gallery
Peek behind the curtain and discover how Desert Pulse came to life.
STOP 7: Reflect + Explore
Take a final wander through the Garden trails. Let the desert’s rhythms linger as you reflect on how art, technology and nature pulse together.
Photo by Sebastiaan de With
