Celebración de los Árboles
Explore the 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, 2025.
The two-day cultural festival features music, dance, food, storytelling, artisan vendors, family-friendly activities, and a chance to connect with local community organizations and Arboretum scientists.
Artisan Vendors
Purchase handcrafted goods, art, and traditional foods—such as tamales, conchas, paletas, empanadas, and aguas frescas—from more than a dozen local artists and vendors.
Science and Conservation
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.
Herbarium Tours
The research staff of The Morton Arboretum’s Herbarium will host special, guided tours of the Herbarium’s collection of Mexican oak specimens during the weekend of Celebración de los Árboles. These specimens help conservation researchers better understand the evolution and biodiversity of oak trees in Central America and around the world.
Herbarium tours are free with advance registration. Register for an Herbarium tour.
Fun for Families
The Morton Arboretum offers a variety of family-friendly activities throughout the months of September and October, and many fun places to explore outdoors that are exceptionally beautiful during this time of year.
Children’s Garden
Far more than just a playground, the Children’s Garden is a 4-acre outdoor play space that encourages children to safely romp, climb, splash, see new things, and wonder about trees and nature. There are ponds, streams, things to climb on, and plenty of places for grownups to sit while children play. Many of its interactive features are based on tree science. It is designed for children from toddlers to 12-year-olds.
Maze Garden
Next to the Children’s Garden is a twisty Maze Garden made of living green shrubs. Find the secret to reach the big sycamore tree for a towering view! Children love to solve the puzzle.
Fall Color Festival
With the annual Fall Color Festival, The Morton Arboretum offers seasonal events and attractions to celebrate a time of transformation. Visit the Fall Color Festival Concessions tent in Arbor Court for apple cider doughnuts and other treats that are only available this time of year.
Vivid Creatures
Explore The Morton Arboretum’s newest art exhibition, Vivid Creatures. Five giant, colorful animal sculptures can be found along the Arboretum’s trails and paths. Four of the sculptures are connected by paved, accessible trails that lead around lovely Meadow Lake and through the shaded canopy of the Conifer Collection. The fifth sculpture can be reached by a woodchipped trail a little farther away.
Ginkgo Restaurant and Café
The Ginkgo Restaurant and Café is the perfect choice for lunch with friends or weekend brunch after a walk through the woods. The menu of internationally inspired meals includes vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, as well as craft beer and wines, baked goods, and coffee.
There are a limited number of tables and seating near the Café in the Visitor Center. Tables inside the Ginkgo Room are reserved for Ginkgo Restaurant guests only.
The Ginkgo Restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Gingko Café is open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
Spanish-Language and Bilingual Tram Tours
Experience the beauty and wonder of the Arboretum on a guided tram tour aboard the Acorn Express, or enjoy a tram ride along with hiking and crafts with Bilingual Acorn Express Adventures.
Spanish-Language Tram Tours
Narrated in Spanish by naturalists with a deep knowledge of the trails and ecology of The Morton Arboretum, these one-hour rides take you on an adventure through woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. Spanish-language tram tours will also focus on storytelling and the cultural relevance of the Arboretum’s landscape.
Tickets
Tram tickets must be purchased at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center on the day of your visit.
Infant (3 and younger): Free
Child or adult (4 and older): $5
Schedule
Tours take place on select Sundays in September and October and during Celebración de los Árboles (Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28, 2025), weather permitting.
Sunday, September 14, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 21, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 27, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. (Celebración de los Árboles)
Sunday, September 28, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. (Celebración de los Árboles)
Sunday, October 5, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 12, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Bilingual Acorn Express Adventures
Hop on the Acorn Express for a family-friendly tram ride through the Morton Arboretum narrated in both English and Spanish. Bilingual Acorn Express Adventure tram tours will focus on the theme of monarch migration and include a short hike and a take-home craft.
Ticket details and a schedule will be available soon.
Spanish-Language Forest Therapy Walks
On guided Forest Therapy Walks, participants are encouraged to relax, meditate, and cultivate mindfulness through their interactions with the natural world. Led by Spanish-speaking certified forest therapy guides, each walk will lead participants through woodlands and natural areas of The Morton Arboretum. At the end of each walk, a tea ceremony will be held with tea made from plants foraged from the forests.
Program Schedule
This program meets during these times; choose your sessions. Pricing is per session.
Register for Forest Therapy Walks online.
Sunday, August 24, 2025, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Thornhill Picnic Shelter (parking lot P-21), West Side
Sunday, October 12, 2025, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Parking lot P-29, West Side
Sunday, November 9, 2025, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Parking lot P-29, West Side
Science and Conservation
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.
Celebración de los Árboles
During Celebración de los Arboles, attendees have the opportunity to speak with scientists and to tour The Morton Arboretum Herbarium, where important conservation research work is being done at The Morton Arboretum.
Meet a Scientist
Visit info tables near Meadow Lake to speak with scientists from the Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program.
Tree Talks
Attend two talks presented by Arboretum scientists on Saturday, September 27. Both talks are free and open to the public. Details will be available soon.
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. Space is limited. Register for an Herbarium tour.
Global Tree Conservation Program
Working around the world, The Morton 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.
Community Partners
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
Celebración 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.
National Youth Advocate Program
National Youth Advocate Program provides holistic services and tailored treatment to help children, youth, and families achieve stability.
