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.
Walking Plays take place on select Saturdays and Sundays, July through October, 2026. Performances begin at the Thornhill Shelter on the Arboretum’s West Side. Performances last approximately 90 minutes to two hours.
Performance start times vary by season. Summer performances (July and August) begin at 6:00 p.m.; fall performances (September and October) begin at 4:00 p.m.
Two low-impact hike dates are offered for the 2026 Walking Plays season—Saturday, July 25, (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and Saturday, October 17 (Wuthering Heights). These performances cover a shorter distance at a slower pace and stay near paved paths wherever possible.
2026 Performances
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the classic Shakespearean romp, comes to the fairy forest of the Arboretum. In this tale, audiences will be captivated by magic, music, and mistaken identities. It’s the perfect way to experience Shakespeare for the first time—and a feast for longtime lovers of the Bard. The performance runs approximately 90 minutes and includes a 1.5-mile walk, with no intermission. Suitable for all ages, with some crass humor and romantic situations.
July 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, and 26
August 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16
Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights has become a global sensation due to the sumptuous new movie adaptation. At the Arboretum, audiences will be treated to a more faithful retelling of the original novel—a true ghost story for the spookier fall season. Experience the love, loss, heartache, and classic language that has endured through the ages. The performance runs approximately 90 minutes and includes a 1.5-mile walk, with no intermission. Suitable for ages 12+, with some dark themes and mild violence.
September 19, 20, 26, and 27
October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25
Tickets
Tickets will be available starting on Tuesday, May 12.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance of the performance.
Cost
Adult (18 and older): $27
Child (2 through 17): $17
Infant (younger than 2): Free
Member Cost
Adult (18 and older): $17
Child (2 through 17): $7
Infant (younger than 2): Free
Your ticket purchase helps support the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.
