Photo by: Anthony Rathbun

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will celebrate Valentine’s Day with its popular adult event Tapas on the Trails on Saturday, February 14, 2026, offering guests a unique evening of food, drinks, and nature. The event supports the Arboretum’s conservation and education programs, and a portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible.

Guests will enjoy a leisurely walk along softly lit trails under the moonlight, stopping at six stations to sample tapas paired with wine or beer. The menu, created by local chefs Cotton Culinary, Kelly Prohl of Double Decanted, and Lennie Ambrose of Saint Arnold Brewing Company, includes dishes such as smoked salmon bruschetta, ahi tuna ceviche, duck confit hand tart, short rib with fried risotto cake, and heart-shaped chocolate chiffon cake. Beverages include specially selected wines and beers paired with each course.

Cotton Culinary

 

 

Tickets range from $110 to $125 for members and non-members, with registration available in 30-minute intervals between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Guests can also upgrade to a VIP Experience for an additional $40 donation, which includes a welcome beverage and caviar blini, a live animal encounter, a raffle ticket for a 1.5-liter magnum of wine, and access to a VIP lounge.

The event is for adults 21 and older. Parking is free at both the 610 and Woodway loops, with lit pathways leading to the McGovern Education Campus and Nature Center. The Arboretum recommends using a designated driver, rideshare, or taxi for guests who consume alcohol.

Photo by: Paul R Davis

 

Approximately $50 of each ticket price is a fully tax-deductible donation to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Guests can request a formal acknowledgement for their contribution. Tickets and additional details are available at houstonarboretum.org/event/tapas-on-the-trails.