Celebración de los Árboles

Experience the diverse cultures of Latin America through music, dance, and food in the beautiful natural settings of The Morton Arboretum.

Lea en español.

Explore the vibrant cultures and traditions of Latin America in the beautiful natural settings of The Morton Arboretum at Celebración de los Árboles on Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Celebración de los Árboles honors the vibrant cultures of Mexico and Mesoamerica, where the Arboretum does important work to protect and conserve threatened trees and the ecosystems they support.

Tickets

Admission to Celebración de los Árboles is included with Arboretum general admission. Buy general admission online to save $2 per ticket and save time in line.

Purchase general admission for Saturday, September 27, or Sunday, September 28.

Highlights

The two-day cultural festival features traditional music, dance, food, and storytelling. See festival highlights and a full performance schedule.

Shop for handcrafted goods and art from local artists and vendors.

Purchase fresh-made traditional foods such as tamales, conchas, paletas, empanadas, and aguas frescas from local vendors.

Speak with Arboretum scientists to learn about important conservation work being done at The Morton Arboretum.

Take a Spanish-language walking tour along an ADA-accessible path through the gardens and tree collections near the Arboretum’s central area.

Tour The Morton Arboretum Herbarium to learn about how preserved Mexican oak specimens in the Herbarium’s collection help researchers around the world understand the evolution of oak trees.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Join The Morton Arboretum during Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate the cultures, histories, and contributions of people whose ancestors came from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. From September 15 to October 15, experience a variety of special events and programs highlighting Latino, Latina, and Latinx communities as well as partners in the Arboretum’s important work to protect and conserve threatened trees and ecosystems in Latin America.

Science and Conservation

The Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program is helping scientists and local residents in Baja California Sur, Mexico, and Costa Rica conserve endangered oak species. Wherever trees need help or trees can help people—in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods or far away—The Morton Arboretum is The Champion of Trees.

Presented in partnership with

Highlights

Lea en español.

Performances

The two-day cultural festival features traditional music, dance, and storytelling.

See a full performance schedule for the weekend’s activities.

Artisan Vendors

Visit Arbor Court, Tram Road, and Frost Hill to purchase handcrafted goods, art, and traditional foods from more than a dozen local artists and vendors, and watch artist Adriana Velazquez craft pottery by hand.

Vendors

Calaveras of Chicago—Christopher Lucero
Kilik Artisanal Shop
La Niña Chamoy Candies (Sunday only)
La Tiendita Artesanal
Loli’s Designs
Narmi’s Little Crystal Shop
Nuna Ceramics
Qetza Art
Ramirez Grand Stand
Tanímu Pet Bodega (Sunday only)
El Tianguis de Lala
Todo Santos Designs

Spanish-Language Walking Tours

Spanish-language walking tours during Celebración de los Árboles weekend will follow an ADA-accessible route through the gardens and tree collections near the Arboretum’s central area.

Admire beautiful seasonal plantings in the Ground Cover Garden and The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden, learn about native flowering plants along Meadow Lake Trail, and discover evergreen species from around the world in the Arboretum’s Conifer Collection.

The ADA-accessible route follows paved paths suitable for wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers.

Tickets

Walking tours are free. Sign up for walking tours by visiting the Information Services Desk in the Visitor Center.

Schedule

Tour groups meet at the Tram Circle in front of the Visitor Center at the following times. Each tour lasts approximately one hour.

Saturday, September 27, 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, September 27, 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 28, 10:30 a.m.

Meet a Scientist

Speak with scientists from The Morton Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program to learn about the important tree science and conservation work being done by researchers at the Arboretum, in Latin American countries, and in biodiversity hotspots around the world.

The Global Tree Conservation Program tent will be located on Tram Road (across from the food trucks) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27.

Herbarium Tours

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how The Morton Arboretum Herbarium collects and preserves Mexican oak species and other plant specimens from around the world.

Herbarium tours are free with advance registration. Register for an Herbarium tour.

The tour group meets at the reception desk in the lobby of the Administration and Research Center at the following times. Each tour lasts approximately one hour.

11:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m.

View and download the map.

Day 1—Saturday, September 27

9:00 a.m.
Tamanaco Tambor
Arroyo Oak Stage

10:00 a.m.
Mariachi Estrellas de Chicago
Arroyo Oak Stage

10:30 a.m.
Teotlecuilli Aztec Dance Group
Cloud Forest Oaks Stage

11:00 a.m.
Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata dance lessons, Itza Riedas and May I Have This Dance Studio
Arroyo Oak Stage

1:00 p.m.
Guitarra Azul
Arroyo Oak Stage

2:30 p.m.
Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec Dance
Cloud Forest Oaks Stage

3:00 p.m.
Los Perros Cubanos
Arroyo Oak Stage

Day 2—Sunday, September 28

9:00 a.m.
Tamanaco Tambor
Arroyo Oak Stage

9:30 a.m.
Salsa dance instruction
Cloud Forest Oaks Stage

10:00 a.m.
Trabuco Salsa
Cloud Forest Oaks Stage

10:00 a.m.
Trio de Colores
Arroyo Oak Stage

11:00 a.m.
Mariachi Sirenas
Arroyo Oak Stage

11:30 a.m.
Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec Dance
Cloud Forest Oaks Stage

Noon
Tropicante
Arroyo Oak Stage

12:30 p.m.
Latin Swing Factor
Cloud Forest Oaks Stage

1:00 p.m.
Guitarra Azul
Arroyo Oak Stage

2:00 p.m.
Mariachi Estrellas de Chicago
Arroyo Oak Stage

2:30 p.m.
Son Tierra
Cloud Forest Oaks Stage

3:00 p.m.
Los Perros Cubanos
Arroyo Oak Stage

Community Partners

Lea en español.

The Morton Arboretum is proud to support and partner with a wide range of local organizations across the Chicago region. They work with the Arboretum to inform and improve its offerings as well as to co-create programming and initiatives that increase access to its beautiful landscape, education, and other activities.

DuPage Hispanic Alliance

Celebracion de los Árboles is presented in partnership with DuPage Hispanic Alliance, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes the rich Hispanic culture throughout DuPage county and the surrounding areas. A cultural, civic, and community network, the organization works to Unite Latinos and non-Latinos in preserving and promoting the richness in diversity of the Latin American heritage through educational, cultural, and civic activities.

DVSA Communities

DVSA Communities is a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Illinois with a mission to provide culturally specific victim services to assist families in finding protection, living without fear, and addressing their needs to ensure their safety and well-being.

Educare Chicago

As part of the Educare Network, Educare Chicago works to narrow the opportunity gap for children across the country by offering family services and quality early education to children with diverse learning needs.

Metropolitan Family Services

Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, Metropolitan Family Services has been empowering Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities since 1857.

People’s Resource Center

Since 1975, People’s Resource Center (PRC) has been bringing neighbors together to respond to hunger and poverty in DuPage County. A team of over 2,300 volunteers brings food and necessities to those in need and connects people to resources such as education, jobs, and technology.

National Youth Advocate Program

National Youth Advocate Program provides holistic services and tailored treatment to help children, youth, and families achieve stability.

Science and Conservation

Lea en español.

Science is the foundation of The Morton Arboretum’s work for trees. Learn how Arboretum researchers conduct on-the-ground tree conservation action projects with local partners in Mexico and Mesoamerica to benefit ecosystems while supporting local communities.

Global Tree Conservation Program

Working around the world, the Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program is dedicated to safeguarding tree species in biodiversity hotspots like Mesoamerica through global collaborations. Arboretum staff lead integrated, science-based conservation action projects that support sustainable livelihoods and respect local cultures and traditional knowledge.

Conservation Gap Analysis of Native Mesoamerican Oaks

Recently published in 2025, The Arboretum’s Conservation Gap Analysis of Native Mesoamerican Oaks was a landmark report that identified key concerns and areas of opportunity for conserving threatened oak species. The report is available in both English and Spanish.

Chicago Region Trees Initiative

The Chicago Region Trees Initiative is The Morton Arboretum’s urban and community forestry program, working to improve people’s lives by supporting the health, diversity, and equitable distribution of trees in the Chicago region and throughout Illinois.

Opportunities in Science

The Arboretum’s Center for Tree Science offers many opportunities for students and young people to get involved in tree conservation and STEM. Learn more about youth volunteer opportunities and the Arboretum’s Integrated Mentorship Program.