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Exhibitions

Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum

Explore 50 acres of the Arboretum’s majestic trees during this one-of-a-kind spectacle of color, light, and sound.

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Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum is now closed for the season. Next year’s holiday festivities return in November of 2025.

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 for guests with limited mobility.

Warm up by a crackling fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores, stop by a concession tent 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.

Event Highlights

The exhibition features 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. Celebration Circle, an interactive light display in The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden, features 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 to ticketed Illumination and Electric Illumination guests only.

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!

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 14, 2025, 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 on select 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

The Illumination sensory evening offers a modified experience featuring static lights and music at low volume. Tickets will be available in a limited capacity to provide a sensory-sensitive environment.

Event Highlights

There is something for everyone to enjoy during Illumination! This enchanting event is perfect for celebrating the holiday season, special occasions, family outings, date nights, or wintertime fun with friends.

Warm up by a crackling fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores, or stop in one of the concession tents for snacks and beverages along the Illumination trail. Enjoy a delicious meal at the Ginkgo Restaurant in the Visitor Center while you view a laser light finale on Meadow Lake.

Celebration Circle

Located in Centennial Plaza in The Grand Garden, Celebration Circle features four interactive sets of abstract trees. Each tree lights up with dynamic colors that are synced to a different instrument: grand organ, bass, bells, and strings.

Illumination Sensory Evening

The Illumination sensory evening offers a modified experience featuring static lights and music at low volume. Tickets will be available in a limited capacity to provide a sensory-sensitive environment.

The Arboretum Store Hours

The Arboretum Store is open late for holiday shopping to ticketed Illumination and Electric Illumination guests only.

Ticketed Illumination and Electric Illumination guests may enter the Visitor Center to eat, shop, and use the restrooms after the entry time on their tickets. Illumination guests who arrive before 4:30 and need a warm place to wait may do so in the hallway in front of the west pavilion restrooms.

Ticket Details

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.

Children three and younger are admitted to Illumination at no cost.

Plan-Ahead Pricing

Prices for Illumination and Electric Illumination vary based on the day and time. Plan-ahead pricing allows you to get the best deal on Illumination and Electric Illumination tickets when you buy in advance. The farther in advance you purchase tickets, the more you save!

Prices are determined based on a number of factors, including attendance patterns, popular holidays and special events, and weather. For busier periods with higher estimated attendance, prices will reflect high demand. For quieter attendance days, prices will be lower.

The amount you save varies, but the prices listed for each date will always be the lowest option at that time, for that particular date. Prices will never decrease but they may increase, so buying ahead is always your best option.

AnyDay Tickets

Illumination AnyDay tickets are special, single-use tickets that can be used once by either an adult or a child (age 4 and older), at any entry time, on any day of Illumination.

Museums for All Discounted Tickets

Through the Arboretum’s participation in the Museums for All program, a limited number of reduced-rate Illumination tickets are available on select dates for guests with a state-issued Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT, P-EBT or LINK) card, or a valid WIC card.

Closures

Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum will be closed on the following dates:

Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving)
Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day)

AnyDay Tickets

Illumination AnyDay tickets are special, single-use tickets that can be used once by either an adult or a child (age 4 and older), at any entry time, on any day of Illumination.

Please note that although AnyDay tickets have one date indicated, they are valid for any Illumination date.

AnyDay tickets are not valid for IllumiBrew or Electric Illumination.

Museums for All Discount Tickets

Through the Arboretum’s participation in the Museums for All program, a limited number of reduced-rate Illumination tickets are available on select dates for guests with a state-issued Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT, P-EBT or LINK) card, or a valid WIC card.

Tickets for available dates and times can be purchased online or in person. Up to 10 Museums for All tickets can be purchased. When buying tickets online, a valid LINK or WIC card is required to receive the discounted rate. Online ticket purchasers will receive an email confirmation and must show a valid LINK or WIC card with their tickets at the entrance on the night of the event.

This Illumination-specific discount is an extension of the popular Museums for All program, a partnership between the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM).

Ticket Rebooking

The Morton Arboretum offers a way to make changes to existing ticket reservations for Illumination and Electric Illumination ticket holders. You can use this rebooking tool if you are changing your tickets from one date to another, even if there is a cost difference between the two dates.

Only dates and times that are still available will show during the rebooking process. Once the event date and time have passed, rebooking is no longer an option.

To look up an existing order, enter your order ID and last name in the field below. You can find your order ID listed on the “Order Summary” email that was sent to you from tickets@mortonarb.org.

Please note that there will be a $1 charge per ticket for any changes made to Illumination tickets, plus any changes in the price of the tickets.

If you have questions, you can contact the ticket line by email at tickets@mortonarb.org or by phone at 630-725-2066, Monday through Sunday (excluding holidays), 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please note that this tool is currently only available for use when rebooking Illumination or Electric Illumination tickets.

Food Options

A concession tent along the Illumination trail will serve snacks and hot beverages. S’mores are available for roasting on the fire pits. The concession tent will be open from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. during Illumination.

Concessions and Beverages

Treats
Double Fudge Brownie
Rice Krispies Treat™
Peppermint Bark
Frosted Holiday Cookie
Jumbo Pretzel with Dipping Sauce
S’mores Kit

Beverages
Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate with Baileys®
Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps
Hot Cider
Hot Cider with Spiced Rum
Boxed Water™

Ginkgo Restaurant

A full dining and beverage menu featuring freshly made sandwiches, salads, burgers, and more is available from the Ginkgo Restaurant, located inside the Visitor Center. The restaurant is open until 8:00 p.m. during Illumination. Guests can purchase sandwiches, salads, and soups, along with assorted alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

The Ginkgo Restaurant is not open during Electric Illumination.

Accessibility

The Illumination trail is a one-mile paved path that is ADA compliant for people with limited mobility. The exhibition is not visible or accessible by car.

The Arboretum has a small number of nonmotorized wheelchairs available on loan free of charge in the Visitor Center on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests must leave a driver’s license or other photo ID to check out a wheelchair. Because the supply is limited, we recommend bringing a wheelchair to the Arboretum, if one is needed. Personal mobility scooters may also be used on the trail.

Arboretum staff make best efforts to clear the path of ice and snow. Crowds are generally lighter on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, making it easier to navigate the trail.

Sensory Needs

Please be aware that Illumination features moving and flashing lights along the trail. There are no strobe lights in the exhibition. Laser features are directed away from guests and follow International Laser Display Association safety standards.

Guests may borrow sensory supports such as headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, or a copy of the Illumination social narrative (English, Spanish) when they arrive. Guests can use the social story to help prepare for their visit. Any loaned items should be returned to the Information Desk in the Visitor Center before departure.

Sensory Evening

The Illumination sensory evening offers a modified experience featuring static lights and music at low volume. Tickets will be available in a limited capacity to provide a sensory-sensitive environment.

Service Animals

The Morton Arboretum welcomes visitors with service animals to Illumination. Please note that pets are not permitted at the Arboretum except on special Dog Admission Days.

Parking

Parking is available near the entrance for those with a disability placard on their vehicle—please notify the parking attendant as you drive in. Otherwise, parking is first come, first served, and is directed by parking attendants.

Guests directed to a secondary lot (Parking Lot 21), near the Thornhill Education Center on the Arboretum’s West Side, can take advantage of a shuttle bus that will transport them to the main event area. Please note that this is the only shuttle bus during Illumination and it only runs between Parking Lot 21 and the Visitor Center. The bus does not have a wheelchair lift.

If you do not have a disability placard and someone in your party has mobility concerns, you are also welcome to drop off passengers in the circle drive adjacent to the Visitor Center before you park. Please notify the parking attendants and they will direct you accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Accordion List

  • AnyDay tickets have one date indicated, but they are valid for any Illumination date.

  • Members of The Morton Arboretum always receive the lowest ticket prices. Become a member today.

    Through the Arboretum’s participation in the Museums for All program, a limited number of reduced-rate Illumination tickets are available on select dates for guests with a state-issued Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT or LINK) card, or a valid WIC card. Tickets may be purchased online or in person, as long as the date and time is not sold out. When buying tickets at the gatehouse, purchasers are required to show a valid LINK or WIC card to receive the discounted rate. When purchasing online, purchasers will receive an email confirmation and must show a valid LINK or WIC card with their tickets at the entrance on the night of the event.

  • Plan-ahead pricing is adjusted daily based on a variety of factors, such as remaining tickets available, weather conditions, and most popular times. As those variables change, ticket prices may go up for particular times and dates. Prices will not go down from those listed at the time you check the website. The further in advance you purchase your tickets, the more you save.

  • Illumination ticket purchases are nonrefundable. However, guests may be able to exchange tickets in advance for a fee of $1 per ticket, depending upon event capacity and at the discretion of the Arboretum. Tickets can be rebooked (prior to their original start time) using the Arboretum rebooking tool. Guests who need additional assistance can also email the help desk or call 630-725-2066.

    Only dates and times that are still available will show during the rebooking process. Once the event date and time have passed, rebooking is no longer an option.

    If the Arboretum cancels a night of Illumination (in whole or part), we will accommodate ticket holders according to the cancellation policy.

  • Event tickets may always be added to general admission reservations; however, we encourage you to purchase Illumination tickets in a separate transaction, if possible, to ensure that the scan codes are kept separate.

  • On days with four or more inches of snow, Illumination attendees are welcome to bring snowshoes or cross-country skis to the Arboretum during usual daylight hours. During Illumination, the East Side of the Arboretum will close at 3:00 p.m. to prepare for opening of the exhibition each evening at 4:30 p.m. Only the West Side is available for skiing or snowshoeing prior to mid-January, when Illumination equipment is removed on the East Side). Once Illumination is over rentals will be available based on snowfall.

  • Because Illumination is an outdoor event in winter, on very rare occasions the Arboretum may cancel an evening or temporarily close the event until weather passes. Many factors are considered, including predictions from the National Weather Service and other weather services, before making a decision that has an impact on guests. If Illumination is canceled or temporarily closed for part of an evening, ticket holders will be notified via email, and notice will be posted to the Arboretum’s website homepage. We will honor tickets on alternate nights, schedule permitting. For more information, email or call the ticket line at tickets@mortonarb.org or 630-725-2066 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily (except holidays).

  • Ticket holders who make the choice not to attend Illumination based on their personal circumstances may request a ticket exchange, depending on schedule and ticket availability, for a $1 fee per ticket. Refunds are not available. Once the event date and time have passed, rebooking is no longer an option.

    For more information, use the Arboretum Rebooking Tool, email the help desk, or call the ticket line at 630-725-2066 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily (except holidays).

  • Illumination ticket holders may enter the Arboretum after 4:30 p.m., but will not be able to access the Illumination trail or Visitor Center until the time listed on their tickets. Due to often cold weather conditions, we encourage ticket holders to arrive as close as possible to the time on their tickets for the best experience.

  • Yes. The Illumination trail is a one-mile paved path that is ADA compliant and fully accessible to guests with limited mobility. Please see the Illumination Accessibility section for more information.

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