Host an Event

Venues and Rates

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Why settle for just a room with four walls when you can enjoy a room with a view? The Arboretum has venues for every occasion, each with picturesque views that make every event memorable. From the intimate to the grand, the elegant to the celebratory, there are many options to consider—each as special as the next.

To get started, browse the available venues and rates and call the Private Events team at 630-725-2190 to discuss timing and availability. Alternatively, submit an Event Inquiry Form and an event coordinator will contact you shortly.

Rates

Room rental rates change seasonally at the Arboretum, with rates listed for May through October and November through April.

To start planning your event, view the room rental rates and call the Private Events team at 630-725-2190 to discuss timing and availability, or submit an Event Inquiry Form.

Venues

From the intimate to the grand, the stately to the festive, and no matter the season, the Arboretum has the perfect venue for your event. With indoor and outdoor options available throughout its breathtakingly beautiful grounds and exquisite catering menus customizable for every occasion, the Arboretum’s unique elegance offers itself to every occasion.

If you’re planning a wedding, please see Wedding Venues and Rates for additional considerations.

Accordion List

  • This magical garden built in honor of the Arboretum’s centennial creates an elegant celebration space. With a central lawn for seating, a terrace for wedding ceremonies, and delightful water features, it will be a place to make lifelong memories. This newly reimagined space will be available for ceremonies and paired with the Ginkgo Room starting in 2023.

  • The Thornhill Education Center includes the Arbor Room, the Founder’s Room, The Morton Terrace, and the Thornhill Lawn. Situated on the site of the former Morton mansion, Thornhill Education Center’s historic rooms, terrace, and landscape are ideal settings.

  • The Fragrance Garden is a perfect location for an intimate wedding ceremony.

  • The Arbor Room offers spectacular views with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking an expansive landscape. Arbor Room guests can enjoy dinner and dancing inside and mingle outside on the stone terrace.

  • Add character to your wedding or social event by hosting it in the Founder’s Roomthe former library of the Morton family mansion. The historic room features timeless ornate bookcases, a marble fireplace, and stained glass windows. This is an elegant setting for weddings and receptions.

  • The Ginkgo Room and Orientation Hall have walls of glass—so magnificent Meadow Lake, Arbor Court, and sections of the Children’s Garden and Maze Garden are never out of view. Seasonally planted containers in Arbor Court add texture and color to the scene, and birds and wildlife make frequent visits. Reflections on the water create a constantly changing backdrop and provide beauty to your event. Occasionally, a blue heron will fly over the water as you dine. Waterfowl and small ground creatures might make appearances, as they scuttle from dry land to water, from ground level to the treetops. The Ginkgo Room is a large dining area ideal for sit-down dinners or formal events.

  • Create lasting memories by having your event in the inspirational Sycamore Room. Located in the Visitor Center’s West Pavilion, the Sycamore Room has sheer glass walls overlooking the Ground Cover Garden, which is blanketed in color during all four seasons. This warm and inviting space is perfect for cocktail receptions. The Sycamore Room also has automated window shades and a screen for audio-visual events.

  • The Morton Arboretum now has a new three-season event space on the East Side, just south of The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden. The three-season pavilion is available for weddings and private functions. Firefly Pavilion can accommodate groups with a maximum of 200 people.