Cider and Ale Festival

Sample ciders and seasonal beers amid rich fall color at the Cider and Ale Festival.

This October, treat yourself to hard cider and seasonal beers from more than 30 local breweries and cideries, taking in the crisp autumn air as you sip and stroll through The Morton Arboretum’s stunning landscape.

The Cider and Ale Festival will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from noon to 3:00 p.m. Tasting tables offering more than 60 different cider and ales will be stationed along Meadow Lake Trail, the Conifer Walk, and the Frost Hill walking path.

Due to capacity restrictions, there will be no general admission to the Arboretum on Saturday, October 5. Arboretum members who are not attending the Cider and Ale Festival can enter the grounds from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. and are welcome to stay until closing at sunset.

Ticket Details

All Cider and Ale Festival tickets include admission into the Arboretum on Saturday, October 5.

Tasting tickets include 20 three-ounce samples.

VIP tickets include early entrance to the festival at 11:00 a.m., exclusive cider and ale samples, and a commemorative pint-sized beer glass.

Designated driver tickets and child tickets are also available for this event.

Ticket prices include all applicable taxes and service fees.

Cost
Event ticket: $75
VIP ticket: $85
Designated driver ticket: $35
Child ticket (ages 4 through 17): $12

Member cost
Event ticket: $65
VIP ticket: $75
Designated driver ticket: $15
Child ticket (ages 4 through 17): $0

When purchasing tickets, select one of three time slots: noon, 12:30 p.m., or 1:00 p.m. Early entrance at 11:00 a.m. is reserved for VIP ticket holders.

Your ticket purchase helps support the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Ticket Details

All Cider and Ale Festival tickets include admission into the Arboretum on Saturday, October 5.

Tasting tickets include 20 three-ounce samples. Tasting ticket purchasers (event ticket or VIP) must be 21 or older and present a valid ID at check-in.

Ticket prices include all applicable taxes and service fees.

Cost
Event ticket: $75
VIP ticket: $85
Designated driver ticket: $35
Child ticket (ages 4 through 17): $12

Member cost
Event ticket: $65
VIP ticket: $75
Designated driver ticket: $15
Child ticket (ages 4 through 17): $0

Tasting Times

When purchasing tickets, select one of three time slots: noon, 12:30 p.m., or 1:00 p.m. Early entrance at 11:00 a.m. is reserved for VIP ticket holders.

VIP Tickets

VIP tickets offer early entrance to the festival at 11:00 a.m., a welcome pour of Prickly Pear Lemonade from Standard Brewery, first access to cider and ale samples, and a commemorative pint-sized beer glass.

Designated Driver Tickets

Designated driver tickets include admission into the Arboretum on Saturday, October 5, and two nonalcoholic beverages.

Child Tickets

Child tickets include admission into the Arboretum. Families are invited to visit the Children’s Garden, which will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Table 1
Elmhurst Brewing Co.

Table 2
Misbeehavin’ Meads

Table 3
Alter Brewing Company

Table 4
Peeled Hard Cider

Table 5
Conrad Seipp Brewing Co.

Table 6
Unpossible Mead

Table 7
Crystal Lake Brewing

Table 8
Pollyanna Brewing Company

Table 9
Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead

Table 10
Penrose Brewing Company

Table 11
Casa Humilde Cerveceria

Table 12
Homewood Brewing Company

Table 13
Ike & Oak Brewing Company

Table 14
Liquid Love Brewing

Table 15
Midwest Coast Brewing

Table 16
Go Brewing

Table 17
Miskatonic Brewing Company
Seldom Beer Company

Table 18
Off Color Brewing

Table 19
Revolution Brewing Company

Table 20
Drop Needle Drinks Co.

Table 21
Noon Whistle Brewing

Table 22
Right Bee Cider

Table 23
Carbliss

Table 24
The Cider Farm

Table 25
BubbleHouse Brewing Company

Table 26
Brother Chimp Brewing

Table 27
Black Horizon Brewing Company

Table 28
ERIS Brewery and Cider House

Table 29
Twisted Hippo Brewing

Table 30
Phase Three Brewing Company

Table 31
Around The Bend Beer Co.

Table 32
Prima Cider

Table 33
Skeleton Key Brewery

Table 34
Pipeworks Brewing Company

Table 35
Standard Meadery

Food Options

Bakery items, salads, and sandwiches will be available to purchase at the Ginkgo Café in the Visitor Center until 6:00 p.m. Espresso beverages, hot tea, and drip coffee are also available at the café.

The Ginkgo Restaurant will be closed on the day of the event.

Food Trucks

Food and beverages will be available to purchase throughout the event from food truck vendors:

Tievoli Pizza
Gourmet wood-fired pizza

El Zorro Tacos
Mexican street tacos

Wicked Food Truck
New American and Southern cuisine

Can I purchase additional beer samples?

No additional samples will be available for purchase.
Are festival attendees allowed to remain on-site after the last pour?

Yes, Arboretum admission is included with your Cider and Ale Festival ticket. Visitors are allowed to remain on-site for the duration of the day. The Arboretum will close at sunset.
Can I come to the Arboretum early?

Yes, your Cider and Ale Festival ticket includes all-day admission to the Arboretum on Saturday, October 5. Festival attendees can access Arboretum grounds starting at 9:00 a.m. Festival attendees who are Arboretum members may access the grounds at 7:00 a.m.

Festival attendees who arrive early will not be given their festival tasting credentials or tasting glasses until the time slot on their tickets.
Will there be vendors on-site throughout the event?

In addition to the breweries and cideries attending the event, several food vendors will also be on-site.
Will there be gluten-free and nonalcoholic options available?

Yes, craft cider breweries will be offering gluten-free options. Nonalcoholic brews will also be available. See Map and Participating Breweries for details.

Designated driver tickets include two nonalcoholic beverages.

Saturday, October 5, 2024
Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Meadow Lake Trail, Conifer Walk, Frost Hill, The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden; East Side
Cost
Event ticket: $75
VIP ticket: $85
Designated driver ticket: $35
Child ticket (ages 4 through 17): $12
Member cost
Event ticket: $65
VIP ticket: $75
Designated driver ticket: $15
Child ticket (ages 4 through 17): $0
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