Events

Arbor Evenings

Unwind with great music, family, and friends this summer at Arbor Evenings.

Content Detail

Please note: Arbor Evenings has ended for the 2024 season. Look forward to the return of this summer concert series in 2025.

This summer, make your Wednesday nights special with friends and family at the Arboretum. Dance to live music, enjoy food and drinks, play lawn games, and watch amazing sunsets on Frost Hill. There’s no better way to celebrate the leisurely evenings of summer than this!

Event Details

Admission into the Arboretum and Arbor Evenings will begin at 5:15 p.m. Music is from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Attendees can purchase drinks, ice cream, and menu items from a variety of food trucks each week.

Accessible parking is available one-third to one-quarter mile from the event venue, and there is limited accessible seating near the concert area.

Ticket Details

Cost
Infant (age 3 and younger): $0
Child (ages 4 through 12): $5
Adult (age 13 and older): $15

Member Cost
Infant (age 3 and younger): $0
Child (ages 4 through 12): $0
Adult (age 13 and older): $10

Advance ticket purchase is required for all attendees, including children of members, as the event capacity is limited. Ticket packages are not available this year.

In the event of severe weather, ticket holders will be notified by email and given the option to rebook their tickets to another date, without charge.

Your ticket purchase helps support the Arboretum’s mission to plant and protect trees for a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

The Morton Arboretum acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

2024 Performance Schedule

Wednesday, May 29, 2024
R-Gang (R&B and motown)

Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Valius (Rock, pop, grunge, rap, and country)

Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Hillbilly Rockstarz (Country rock)

Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Rico (Modern-day Santana)

Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Anchors Away (Yacht rock)

Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Rosie & the Rivets (Retro rock ‘n’ roll)

Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Beyond the Blonde (Gwen Stefani, Pink!, and Lady Gaga)

Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Trabuco Salsa Band (Salsa)

Wednesday, July 17, 2024
ARRA (Classic rock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Semple (80s and 90s)

Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Billy Elton (Elton John and Billy Joel)

Wednesday, August 14, 2024
The PriSSillas (All-female classic rock, country, 80s, and 90s)

Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Kaleidoscope Eyes (The Beatles)

Wednesday, August 28, 2024
The Beaux (Classic rock)

Food Options

Arbor Evenings attendees can purchase drinks, ice cream, and menu items from a variety of food trucks each week.

2024 Food Truck Lineup

Flyin’ Hawaiian
John’s Barbecue
Mario’s Tacos
Savory Crust Empanadas
Str8up Bussin’

What to Bring

Seating is on the grass, bring a blanket or chair. No chairs will be provided.

Attendees may bring outside food. Food and beverages will also be available to purchase.

Attendees may bring sealed nonalcoholic beverages.

Reusable bottles need to be empty upon arrival.

Attendees may bring low portable tables and wagons.

We suggest using a wagon or cooler on wheels to bring your chairs, food, and other materials.

What Not to Bring

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be brought into the Arboretum. 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, are not allowed at the Arboretum or the event.

Large umbrellas that block the view of others are not permitted; small rain umbrellas are permitted.

Open flame candles are not permitted.

No illegal drugs, smoking, electronic cigarettes, cannabis products, tobacco products, or outside alcohol is allowed at The Morton Arboretum.

There is no outside alcohol permitted at Arbor Evenings. Our security personnel will be checking bags to ensure that alcohol is not brought into the event.

No large tables (4 feet or larger) will be permitted at the event.

Cancellation Policy

Tickets to Arbor Evenings are nonrefundable. However, tickets can be exchanged for another date in the 2024 concert season for a $5 transaction fee.

In the event of extreme or severe weather, concerts may be canceled for the safety of attendees. If there is a weather threat, an announcement will be released by 3:00 p.m. via The Morton Arboretum website. Those with tickets will receive an email with further information and instructions.

Rebooking

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

  • Order number
  • New requested booking date for 2024 Arbor Evenings
  • New booking time
  • Phone number and your name in case we need to contact you

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.

Accessibility

Accessible parking is available in Parking Lot 1. Attendees may also drop off and pick up people at the circle in front of the Visitor Center.

The quickest walking route from parking locations to the event location is on the trail around Meadow Lake, a distance of approximately one-third to one-quarter of a mile. Refer to the map below.

Limited accessible seating can be found along the paved Tram Road near the concert area.

Bathrooms are located in the Children’s Garden, and are open from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Additional bathrooms are open in the West Pavilion, near the Visitor Center, until the grounds close.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Due to changes in the event format and location, we are unable to offer Fast Passes for the 2024 season.

  • 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.

  • The walk from Parking Lot 1 to Frost Hill is approximately one-third to one-quarter of a mile. Please follow the map for the easiest and shortest route.

  • Timed tickets for Arbor Evenings will begin at 5:15 p.m. Music will begin at 6:00 p.m. You are permitted to enter 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 checking bags to ensure that alcohol is not brought into the event.

  • Yes, you may bring in outside food and sealed nonalcoholic beverages. Food, wine, beer, spirits, and nonalcoholic 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 are located inside of the Children’s Garden. Signs 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 blankets or chairs.

  • 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, the ticket purchaser will be notified of cancellation via the email used at time of purchase. Additionally, the ticket rebooking fee would be waived and the tickets may be moved to a new date in the Arbor Evening 2024 series. Wednesday, August 28 is reserved as a rain date.

    Tickets are nonrefundable. All weather-related event updates will be communicated through The Morton Arboretum website, and the weather hotline at 630-719-2400. If needed, these channels will be updated at approximately 3:00 p.m. Wednesday with weather information.

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

  • No, the Visitor Center (Ginkgo Café, Visitor Information Desk, The Arboretum Store, and 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 6:00 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, daily between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

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