Whether you’re among the many families and groups who have been to every Illumination since 2013, or if you’re going to Illumination for the first time, this year’s experience promises new surprises, tasty treats, and fun for all ages!

“This is our most ambitious exhibition yet,” explained Amy Scott, the Arboretum’s head of exhibitions.

From the highly anticipated new aurora borealis-inspired installation, to the imaginative miniature world of the Pine Whistle Railroad model train experience, The Morton Arboretum has created a totally reimagined Illumination experience for guests to explore, discover, and marvel at the wonder of trees and nature.

Here are some tips for making the most of your Illumination experience whether you’re visiting with family, on a date night, or while spending time with friends!

Arrival and Parking

Parking is included in your Illumination ticket. For a closer spot, reserve Premium Parking close to the entrance as an add-on to your ticket by selecting “Premium Parking” for $18 per vehicle during checkout. Availability is limited, so reserve your spot early!

Accessible parking is available near the Illumination entrance for those with a disability placard on their vehicle. Please notify the parking attendant that you require accessible parking as you drive in. Otherwise, parking is first come, first served, and is directed by parking attendants.

Please do not arrive at the Illumination entrance at the Sycamore Room more than 30 minutes prior to the time on your ticket. There are no indoor locations to wait for entry. You have 30 minutes after the time on your ticket to enter. You will be directed to parking either near the Visitor Center or to parking lot P-21 on the West Side, where a shuttle bus will take you right to the entrance.

Get Ready for the Illumination Trail

After showing your tickets in the Sycamore Room, you will be able to enter the Visitor Center or begin the Illumination trail.

You might start with a seated dinner in the Ginkgo Restaurant or pick up a beverage—including alcohol options—in the Visitor Center before heading out on the trail.

If you didn’t purchase a Glowing Tree Wand when buying your Illumination tickets in advance for pick-up in the Sycamore Room on arrival, stop in The Arboretum Store to purchase wands before starting the trail.

The approximately one-mile, accessible Illumination trail is one way—you can’t get lost (there are volunteer guides if you have questions).

Add Tickets to Pine Whistle Railroad

As you turn past Celebration Circle in The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden, take a detour to enjoy the new Pine Whistle Railroad model train exhibition.

Featuring 1,000 feet of miniature train track winding through woodland and fairytale scenes, model trains will travel along elevated sections that weave above the landscape and down to eye-level.

Add tickets to this family fun experience when purchasing Illumination tickets, or you can add them later (advance purchase is recommended and members receive a discount—join now).

Treemagination Is Back!

Be sure to spend time at fan-favorite Treemagination, the immersive, mesmerizing installation.

Treemagination features several minutes of colorful changing lights, shifting images projected onto a background of swaying trees, and immersive sounds that can’t be fully experienced with a quick glance.

Treemagination speaks to the wonder of trees and our relationship with nature, which can be expansive, meaningful, and transformative. This longtime Illumination favorite brings guests back year after year. If you’re new to Illumination, you’ll find that Treemagination is an experience that can’t be missed.

New Lightwave, Fairy Forest, and Northern Lights Installations

The 2026 season features four new installations! Experience Lightwave, an immersive 165-foot tunnel featuring hundreds of glowing spheres inspired by falling rain and dewdrops.

The new Fairy Forest installation can be spotted in the trees as you move through the Illumination trail. Keep an eye out for twinkling lights among the Arboretum’s tree collections that feel like real fairies are flitting from branch to branch.

A short stroll past Generosity, the white-tailed deer from Vivid Creatures, is the new Cosmic Garden—a sweeping hillside landscape of 25 giant, glowing orbs and shifting patterns inspired by meditative sand gardens.

Towards the end of the Illumination trail, a new, 400-ft-long installation will sway overhead visitors with colorful atmospheric lights inspired by aurora borealis—the Northern Lights.

Cozy Concessions and Signature Hot Cocoa

Bring home memories of Illumination with this year’s signature hot cocoa—the Ultimate Blizzard Hot Cocoa—served in a limited-edition, collectible Morton Arboretum mug.

You can prepurchase the Ultimate Blizzard Hot Cocoa online during your Illumination ticket checkout, or purchase hot cocoa in the concession tent and in Ginkgo Restaurant—while supplies last.

You can also get snacks, s’mores kits, and alcoholic beverages at the concession tent half way through the trail, then stop at the next fire pits to enjoy your treats, or make some s’mores!

S’mores kits are unavailable for prepurchase and can be bought at the concessions tent and in the Visitor Center.

Selfies and Photo Opportunities

There are many options for selfies and group photo memories along the Illumination trail. Here are a few suggestions for where to stop to snap a pic:

• Celebration Circle in The Grand Garden
• Pine Whistle Railroad, inside the Firefly Pavilion (separate ticket required)
• Golden Glade, by the Vivid Creatures sculptures
• The new northern lights installation

Please be mindful of other guests as you take your social media photos and/or shoot videos.

Special Nights this Season

To experience the Illumination trail in a way that’s friendly to different sensory needs, the Illumination Sensory Night on Tuesday, November 17, offers a modified experience featuring static lights, music at low volume, and limited-capacity tickets to provide a sensory-sensitive environment.

On the four Dog Admission Nights—December 2, 9, 16, and January 1—you can bring your canine companions to be part of the fun. Separate dog tickets are required.

For a first look at Illumination and a 21+ experience, the annual  IllumiBrew event takes place this year on Friday, November 13. Tickets for this popular event sell out fast, so be sure to buy tickets early and mark your calendars for next year if you missed out!

IllumiDome Rentals

Gather your family and friends in a private IllumiDome rental. IllumiDomes are 13-foot, see-through domes with stunning views of the light displays—perfect for groups of up to 8 guests. Add on beverage packages, or plan the perfect moment by upgrading to a Proposal Package, by contacting Signature Events at The Morton Arboretum.

To rent an IllumiDome, submit an inquiry form online.

Find One-of-a-Kind Holiday Gifts

Don’t miss the chance to shop for holiday decor, unique gifts, and Illumination keepsakes in The Arboretum Store. Browse more than 2,000 nature-themed books, and hundreds of one-of-a kind items, apparel, and plant care resources.

The Arboretum Store will be open until 8:00 p.m. during Illumination.

Become a Member to Save at the Arboretum All Year Round

There’s no better way to experience Illumination and The Morton Arboretum than by becoming a member. Arboretum members get the best prices Illumination tickets and receive discounts on ticketed experiences like Pine Whistle Railroad.

In addition, members can visit The Morton Arboretum any day throughout the year without purchasing Arboretum general admission, all while directly supporting the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.