Events

Destination Asia Festival

Explore the diverse cultures of Asia through music, dance, food, and trees.

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Bring your family and friends to be transported across the globe as you explore the beautiful cultures and traditions of Asia. Taste delicious food from local vendors, experience new music, and take in traditional dances and performances that pay homage to this part of the world. This family-friendly weekend will be the cultural event of the summer!

The Destination Asia Festival celebrates the cultures of Asia, where many trees and plants at The Morton Arboretum originated. From its founding in 1922, The Arboretum’s collection has included Asian plants. Since the early 1990s, Kris Bachtell, vice president of collections and facilities, and colleagues have traveled to China and other Asian countries frequently, collecting specimens of paperbark maple and other plants. The Arboretum collects plants, including endangered trees, from the wild for study and conservation. Research teams then add these plants to the Arboretum collection and preserve the species for the study and enjoyment of tree champions in future generations.

The Arboretum’s scientists and arborists also work with colleagues in countries such as Myanmar, China, and Taiwan to support research and encourage policies that improve the conservation and management of forests and trees in the face of rapid changes in these countries’ economy, ecology, and culture. The Destination Asia Festival celebrates Asian cultures and plants as the Arboretum champions trees in Illinois and around the globe.

Accessibility

The Destination Asia Festival takes place along the paved walking paths of the Visitor Center area, Meadow Lake, and the Conifer Trail. These paths are fully accessible for wheelchairs and walkers but do include a few hills. The stages will be stationed on the grass of these walking trails.

View the Accessibility Guide for more detailed information.

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