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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 28, and Sunday, September 29, 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.
Attendees will enjoy flavorful food, dance to new music, and take in the cultural traditions that celebrate the heritage of Latina, Latino, and Latinx peoples.
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.
Ticket Details
Admission to Celebración de los Árboles is included with Arboretum general admission.
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.
Event Details
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The Celebración de los Árboles festival showcases traditional and contemporary aspects of Hispanic and Latin American culture from a number of different countries and traditions.
Enjoy music, dance, food, storytelling, and other cultural performances that celebrate Hispanic heritage in a weekend-long festival held amid the tree-filled landscapes of The Morton Arboretum.
Festival Schedule
A schedule of festival performances will be available closer to the event date.
Spanish-Language Tram Tours
Ride the Acorn Express tram on a one-hour narrated tour in Spanish that carries you through woodlands, wetlands, and prairies of The Morton Arboretum. Purchase tickets at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center on the day of your visit.
Meet a Scientist
During Celebracion de los Árboles, attendees can visit information tables near Meadow Lake to speak with scientists from the Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative and Global Tree Conservation Program.
Tree Science Field Stations
During Celebración de los Árboles, learn about conservation work being done by Arboretum scientists and explore the connection between oaks and monarch butterflies with guided tours beginning at the Arboretum’s Administration and Research Center.
Children’s Nature Activities
Children who are too young for Tree Science Field Stations can enjoy bilingual story time and nature activities relating to oaks and monarchs in the Sterling Morton Library.
Meet a Scientist
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During Celebración de los Árboles, information tables near Meadow Lake will be staffed by scientists from the Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative and Global Tree Conservation Program. Stop by to learn how urban and community initiatives are benefiting the lives of people in the Chicago region and how on-the-ground action projects with partners in Mexico and Mesoamerica are benefitting ecosystems while supporting local communities.
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.
Global Tree Conservation Program
Working around the world, the Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program is dedicated to safeguarding tree species in biodiversity hotspots such as Mesoamerica through global collaborations. Arboretum staff lead integrated, science-based conservation action projects that support sustainable livelihoods and respect local cultures and traditional knowledge.
Tree Science Field Stations
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During Celebración de los Árboles, learn about research and conservation work being done by Arboretum scientists and explore the connection between oaks and monarch butterflies with guided tours beginning at the Arboretum’s Administration and Research Center. Participants will be guided through the following three stations.
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.
Station 1: Cloud Forest Conservation
Learn about the Arboretum’s work through the Global Tree Conservation Program to promote the conservation of montane cloud forest habitat in Mesoamerica.
Station 2: Oaks of Mexico
Tour The Herbarium to learn about the Arboretum’s work preserving tree specimens from around the world including threatened oaks found in Mexico and Mesoamerica.
Station 3: Monarch Migration Station
Head to The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden for an interactive presentation and craft activity about the relationship between oaks and monarch butterflies.
Tour Registration
Due to limited space, attendees must reserve a spot by visiting the Global Tree Conservation table near Meadow Lake before 1:00 p.m. on the day of the tour.
Tour Schedule
The time to visit all three field stations is approximately an hour and thirty minutes. Tours will be held twice each day at the following times:
Saturday, September 28
10:30 a.m. to noon
1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 29
10:30 a.m. to noon
1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Participants will gather at the tour start time for a welcome presentation at the Arboretum’s Administrative and Research Center and then drop off young children at the Sterling Morton Library for nature activities and bilingual story time.
Tour groups will visit two Tree Science Field Stations in the Arboretum’s Administrative and Research Center. Tours will conclude with an interactive activity at the Monarch Migration Station in The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden.
Food Options
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During Celebración de los Árboles, refreshments will be available to purchase in the Visitor Center, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Ginkgo Restaurant and from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Ginkgo Café.
Details about Arboretum dining options, concessions, and food vendors during Celebración de los Árboles will be available closer to the event date.
