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Arbor Evenings

Unwind with family and friends on Wednesday evenings at The Morton Arboretum this summer

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Arbor Evenings Return to Wednesday Nights

Unwind with family and friends on Wednesday evenings at The Morton Arboretum this summer. Mingle as you enjoy live music surrounded by beautiful trees on the picturesque Frost Hill!

Tickets include admission to the Arboretum, activities, and live music. Tickets are required for all guests. Families are welcome.

Music is from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Admission into the Arboretum and Arbor Evenings will begin at 5:15 p.m.

The Ginkgo Grill will not be proving food this year during Arbor Evenings. Instead, guests can enjoy rotating food trucks that will be in attendance each week. Bring your picnic spread from home or enjoy our rotating food trucks that will be onsite each week. Visitors can bring any kind of sealed, nonalcoholic beverages. Reusable bottles need to be empty upon arrival.

The Morton Arboretum acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency

Performance Schedule

What to Bring:

  • Seating is all on the grass, bring a blanket or chair. No chairs will be provided.
  • Guests may bring outside food. Concessions will also be available to purchase.
  • Guests may bring sealed non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Guests may bring low portable tables and wagons.

What Not to Bring:

  • Alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be brought in and all outside alcohol will be confiscated. Cocktails, wine, beer, water, and other beverages will be available for purchase during the event.
  • Unsealed beverages (of any kind) are not allowed into the event.
  • Pets (excluding service animals).
  • Large umbrellas that block the view of others are not permitted; small rain umbrellas are ok.
  • Open flame candles.
  • No illegal drugs, smoking, electronic cigarettes, cannabis products, tobacco products, or outside alcohol is allowed at The Morton Arboretum.
  • Large tables (4, 6, or 8 foot tables).

Accessibility

  • Accessible parking is available in Parking Lot 1. Guests may also use the circle in front of the Visitor Center for drop-off and pick-up.
  • Limited accessible seating can be found along the paved Tram Road near the concert area.
  • The event area is approximately 0.3 – 0.4 miles from parking locations.
  • The fastest walk to the event location is using the trail around Meadow Lake. Refer to the map below.
  • We suggest using a wagon or cooler on wheels to bring your chairs, food, and other materials.
  • Bathrooms are located in the Children’s Garden from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Additional bathrooms are open in the West Pavilion, near the Visitor Center, until the grounds close.

Arbor Evenings Policies

  • Advanced ticket purchase is required for all guests, including members’ children, as the event capacity is limited.
  • Guests should be prepared to have their bags checked by Security before accessing the concert grounds.
  • Guests are required to present their ID at each bar to purchase all alcoholic beverages.
  • All shows are outdoors. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. In the event of extreme or severe weather, concerts may be canceled for the safety of guests. If there is a weather threat, an announcement will be released by 3:00 pm via The Morton Arboretum website and The Morton Arboretum Facebook page.
  • Alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be brought in and all outside alcohol will be confiscated.

Tickets to Arbor Evenings are exchangeable for a $5 fee and are non-refundable except in the case of the event being canceled by The Arboretum due to inclement weather.

To rebook your tickets for a canceled performance, please contact tickets@mortonarb.org with the following information:

  • Order number
  • New requested booking date for 2022 Arbor Evenings
  • New booking time
  • Phone number and your name in case we need to contact you

If you cannot attend another performance you can request a refund by emailing tickets@mortonarb.org. Please include your order number and phone number.

We recommend at least 24 hours notice to allow us time to update your order and send new tickets. Rebooking is based on availability. If an event date is sold out, we are not able to move your tickets to that date. Sending your request by email helps us process requests in a timely manner.

The Ginkgo Grill will not be proving food this year during Arbor Evenings. Instead, guests can enjoy rotating food trucks that will be in attendance each week. Food option will include American, Mexican, and Italian varieties.

Guests are welcome to bring food to Arbor Evenings. As a reminder, visitors can bring any kind of sealed, nonalcoholic beverages. Reusable bottles need to be empty upon arrival.

Ice cream novelties and bar service will be available weekly.

View Bar Menu

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Due to changes in the event format and location, we are unable to offer Fast Passes for the 2022 season.

  • Arbor Evenings has moved to a new location on Frost Hill while work is being done for the Grand Garden.

  • The East side roads are closed beginning at 5:00 p.m. each Wednesday due to Arbor Evenings. The entire West side is available for driving until sundown.

  • Frost Hill is an approximate 0.3 – 0.4 mile walk from the P1 Parking area. At the most, this is only .10 mile farther than our previous location.

  • Timed tickets for Arbor Evenings will begin at 5:15 p.m. Music will begin at 6:00 p.m. You are permitted onto the grounds 15 minutes prior to your scheduled ticketing start time.

  • There is no outside alcohol permitted at Arbor Evenings. Our Security personnel will be doing bag checks to ensure that alcohol is not brought into the event.

  • Yes, you may bring in outside food, and outside, sealed, non-alcoholic beverages. Concessions, wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages are sold inside the event.

  • No, any chairs and blankets on the lawn prior to 5:00 p.m. will be removed and placed in the Lost and Found area. You may collect any lost items at this location throughout the event. The Morton Arboretum is not responsible for any items lost or left unattended during, or prior to, this event.

  • Restrooms will be located inside of the Children’s Garden. Directional signage will be present to guide you to the restroom facilities.

  • No, we do not offer any chair rentals for this event. All seating is general admission on the lawn and guests will need to bring their own blanket or chair.

  • The Arboretum will do its best to hold this event rain or shine. However, there may be times when a potentially dangerous weather forecast or unsafe ground conditions prevent us from moving forward with the event. The event will not move indoors. Should the event be canceled by the Arboretum, you will be notified via email of next steps.

    For all other cancelations, Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets can be changed for another date in the 2021 concert season for a $5 transaction fee. All weather-related event updates will be communicated through our Morton Arboretum Facebook page, website, and the weather hotline at 630-719-2400. If needed, these channels will be updated approximately at 3:00 p.m. Thursday with weather information.

  • All weather-related event updates will be communicated through our Morton Arboretum Facebook page, our website, and the weather hotline at 630-719-2400. All of these will be updated approximately at 3:00 p.m. each Thursday.

  • No, the Visitor Center  (The Ginkgo Cafe, The Visitor Information Desk, The Arboretum Store and the Membership Sales Desk) will close at 6:00 p.m.

  • Unfortunately this year, we are not able to offer group catering and sales for this event. Check back again next year.

  • Yes, any items found will be held near the entrance of Arbor Evenings. If items are not collected during or immediately following the event, they will be turned into the Visitor Services Desk inside the Visitor Center. Please call 630-968-0074, between 9:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, to inquire about any lost items.

  • For specific questions about concerts, please contact specialevents@mortonarb.org or call the ticket line at 630-725-2066 weekdays between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

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