Events

Walking Plays

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

Content Detail

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

Pride and Prejudice

Walk with the Bennet family through a lovingly faithful adaptation of the original Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice, told through the lively eyes of the Bennet sisters themselves. The beautiful, sprawling setting of the Arboretum’s West Side and views of the Thornhill Education Center, once a family mansion, offer the perfect backdrop for this romantic, funny, touching family drama. Recommended for audiences ages 10 years and older.

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

Farewell, Mr. Poe

In the last four days of his life, Edgar Allan Poe drifted in and out of consciousness before he died. Where did his mind wander in those final hours? Perhaps through a dark forest, confronting the ghosts of his past? Find out for yourself if you dare, as the paths wind through Poe’s life and poetry, until he finally confronts his earthly departure. Recommended for audiences ages 12 years and older.

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

See the full 2025 performance schedule.

 

Ticket Details

Purchase tickets or member tickets online and in advance.

Cost

Infant (younger than 2): Free
Child (2 through 17): $17
Adult (18 and older): $27

Member Cost
Infant (younger than 2): Free
Child (2 through 17): $7
Adult (18 and older): $17

 

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.

Purchase tickets or member tickets online and in advance.

July and August

Pride and Prejudice

Walk with the Bennet family through a lovingly faithful adaptation of the original Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice, told through the lively eyes of the Bennet sisters themselves. The beautiful, sprawling setting of the Arboretum’s West Side and views of the Thornhill Education Center, once a family mansion, offer the perfect backdrop for this romantic, funny, touching family drama. Recommended for ages 10 years and older.

Summer performances begin at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:

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

Farewell, Mr. Poe

In the last four days of his life, Edgar Allan Poe drifted in and out of consciousness before he died. Where did his mind wander in those final hours? Perhaps through a dark forest, confronting the ghosts of his past? Find out for yourself if you dare, as the paths wind through Poe’s life and poetry, until he finally confronts his earthly departure. Recommended for ages 12 years and older.

Fall performances begin at 4:00 p.m. on the following dates:

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

 

The Morton Arboretum acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Accordion List

  • 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).

  • Restrooms will be located at the Thornhill Shelter, where event check-in is to take place.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

Become a Member

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