Events

Walking Plays

Experience a live outdoor play performed among beautiful trees and scenic landscapes during the Walking Plays series at the Arboretum.

Content Detail

Walking Plays are full-length plays, adapted exclusively for The Morton Arboretum and performed by local professional actors. A walk leader guides the audience to each scene, which takes place at several natural backdrop locations, along a one- to two-mile hiking route. Audiences are encouraged to bring water, portable chairs or blankets for seating, and bug spray.

2024 Dates

July 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
August 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
September 28, 29
October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27

Details about Walking Play performances for the 2024 season will be available soon.

 

The Morton Arboretum acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.

Accessibility

Each month the Arboretum will offer a low-impact hike, designed for guests with lower mobility. These hikes cover a shorter distance (approximately half a mile) at a slower pace and stay near paved paths wherever possible to avoid chipped trails and grassy areas. Additionally, select Walking Play performances will offer American Sign Language interpretation.

Low-impact hike dates and ASL interpreter dates will be available closer to the start of the 2024 season.

View the Accessibility Guide for more detailed information.

Rebooking Information

To rebook your tickets for any 2024 performance, please contact tickets@mortonarb.org with the following information:

  • Order number
  • New requested booking date for any 2024 Walking Plays
  • Phone number and your name in case we need to contact you

There will be a $5 surcharge per order. We require 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.

If the event is canceled by The Morton Arboretum due to inclement weather, all ticket holders for that date will be emailed with specific instructions on how to rebook their performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Accordion List

  • Fall and summer weekends are popular days for visitation. Please allow up to 30 minutes to park and get to where the hike commences (Thornhill Shelter, Parking Lot 21).

  • Restrooms will be located at the Thornhill Shelter, where event check-in is to take place.

  • No, we do not offer any chair rentals for this event. For a more enjoyable hike, we recommend you bring a portable chair or blanket, a water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

  • 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.

  • All weather-related event updates will be communicated through the Arboretum Facebook page, website, and email. All of these will be updated approximately three hours prior to the show start time.

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