Celebrate the holidays and marvel at how light transforms a magnificent landscape at Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum.
Exciting features and immersive installations in this festive experience will delight all ages along a one-mile path that is fully ADA compliant.
Warm up by a crackling fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores, stop in one of the concession tents for snacks and beverages along the Illumination trail, or sit down to a delicious meal at the Ginkgo Restaurant to view a laser light finale on Meadow Lake.
A temperature-activated, color-changing ceramic mug will be available for purchase on all Illumination dates.
Event Highlights
The 2024 exhibition features 17 displays of lights and music that highlight the beauty of trees in winter.
A secluded glade is strung with fairy lights, kinetic LED tall grasses honor a Midwest native species, and trees light up with a hug. New this year, Celebration Circle is an interactive light display in The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden featuring four sets of illuminated tree-shaped installations, each synced to the music of a different instrument.
The Arboretum Store is open late for holiday shopping during Illumination and Electric Illumination.
Plan Ahead and Save on Tickets
With plan-ahead pricing for Illumination and Electric Illumination, choose the price, date, and time that best fit your budget and schedule. The further in advance you purchase your tickets, the more you save!
Tickets for 2024’s Illumination, Electric Illumination, and IllumiBrew experiences are available exclusively to Arboretum members now through Monday, October 14. Tickets will be available to all on Tuesday, October 15.
Become a member to get early access and best pricing for Illumination tickets. Members receive the lowest ticket prices, with a 20% discount on all tickets.
If you have questions about purchasing tickets, please email tickets@mortonarb.org or call 630-725-2066.
IllumiBrew
Craft beer lovers won’t want to miss IllumiBrew. At this event for adults 21 and older on Friday, November 15, enjoy a first look at the newest version of Illumination while sampling local brews along the trail.
Electric Illumination
Electric Illumination offers a special late-night experience from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. on three special weekends in November and December, each with a unique theme. Adults 18 and older will enjoy a curated playlist of music synchronized to breathtaking light displays.
Illumination Sensory Evening
New for 2024 is an Illumination sensory evening on Tuesday, December 3, from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.; last entry is at 8:00 p.m. This modified experience will feature static lights and music at low volume. Tickets are available in a limited capacity for the event on this night to provide a sensory-sensitive environment.
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