Walking Plays

Experience a live outdoor play performed amid beautiful trees and scenic landscapes during the Walking Plays series at the Arboretum.

Walking Plays are full-length plays, adapted exclusively for The Morton Arboretum and performed by local professional actors. A walk leader guides the audience to each scene, which takes place at several natural backdrop locations, along a one- to two-mile hiking route. Audiences are encouraged to bring water, portable chairs or blankets for seating, and bug spray.

Walking Plays take place on select Saturdays and Sundays, July through October, 2025. Performances begin at the Thornhill Shelter on the Arboretum’s West Side. Performances last approximately 90 minutes to two hours.

Performance start times vary by season. Summer performances (July and August) begin at 6:00 p.m.; fall performances (October) begin at 4:00 p.m.

2025 Performances

July and August
July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27
August 2 and 3

October
October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, and 26

See the full 2025 performance schedule.

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

The Morton Arboretum acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.

2025 Performance Schedule

All Walking Play performances begin at the Thornhill Shelter on the Arboretum’s West Side.

Performance start times vary by season. Summer performances (July and August) begin at 6:00 p.m.; fall performances (October) begin at 4:00 p.m.

July and August

Summer performances begin at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 12
Sunday, July 13
Saturday, July 19
Sunday, July 20
Saturday, July 26
Sunday, July 27
Saturday, August 2
Sunday, August 3

October

Fall performances begin at 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 4
Sunday, October 5
Saturday, October 11
Sunday, October 12
Saturday, October 18
Sunday, October 19
Saturday, October 25
Sunday, October 26

Accessibility

Each month the Arboretum will offer a low-impact hike, designed for guests with lower mobility. These hikes cover a shorter distance (approximately half a mile) at a slower pace and stay near paved paths wherever possible to avoid chipped trails and grassy areas. Additionally, select Walking Play performances will offer American Sign Language interpretation.

Low-impact hike dates and ASL interpreter dates will be available closer to the start of the 2025 season.

Visit Accessibility at The Morton Arboretum for more information.

Rebooking Information

To rebook your tickets for any 2025 performance, please call the ticket line at 630-725-2066 with the following information:

Order number
Requested new booking date for any 2025 Walking Plays performance

Please allow us at least 24 hours to update your order and send new tickets. Rebooking is based on availability. If a date is sold out, we are not able to move your tickets to that date. Sending your request by email helps us to process your request more quickly.

If the event is canceled by The Morton Arboretum due to inclement weather, all ticket purchasers for that date will be emailed with instructions on rebooking their tickets.

How early should I arrive?

Fall and summer weekends are popular days for visitation. Please allow up to 30 minutes to park and get to where the hike starts (Thornhill Shelter, Parking Lot 21).
Where will the restrooms be located?

Restrooms will be located at the Thornhill Shelter, where event check-in is to take place.
If I don’t bring a chair can I borrow or rent one?

No, we do not offer any chair rentals for this event. For a more enjoyable hike, we recommend you bring a portable chair or blanket, a water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellant.
If it rains is this event canceled or moved indoors?

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.
In the event of inclement weather in the forecast, how can I find out if the event is still taking place?

All weather-related event updates will be communicated through the Arboretum Facebook page, website, and email. Weather decisions are made approximately three hours prior to the show start time. Please call 630-725-2066, the Arboretum’s ticket line, with weather-related inquiries.
Can dogs attend Walking Plays on Dog Admission dates?

No, dogs are not allowed to attend Walking Plays, even on performances that fall on designated Dog Admission Days.