LISLE, Ill. (Oct. 1, 2025)—Chicago’s beloved outdoor holiday tradition Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum returns for its 13th season Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 through Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Tickets for Illumination, Electric Illumination and IllumiBrew went on sale to Arboretum members Oct. 1 at 9 a.m. CT and will go on sale to the general public Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. CT. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mortonarb.org/illumination. 

Illumination has delighted more than 2 million visitors of all ages. This year, Illumination features the new larger-than-life Vivid Creatures by artists Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz, with four colorful animal sculptures included among 20 immersive light displays, highlighting the beauty of trees in winter along a one-mile, ADA-accessible walking trail.

Tickets for the one-of-a-kind, interactive spectacle of dazzling light and music displays start at $17.60 for adult members and $22 for adult nonmembers. Don’t worry about the weather—new this year, the Arboretum is offering flexible ticket rebooking for Illumination, up to the start time of the original reservation. The full balance may be applied to the new reservation (Illumination ticket costs vary by date and time; a new selection may require additional payment based on any difference in ticket price). Illumination tickets cannot be exchanged after the start time of the original reservation.

Festivities kick off next month with IllumiBrew, a 21+ preview and beer-tasting event on Friday, Nov. 14 from 5:30-10 p.m., offering seasonal beers, ciders and meads from popular Chicago-area breweries along the trail. Tickets to IllumiBrew are $85 for members and $95 for nonmembers, with designated driver tickets $45 for members and $50 for nonmembers.

New this year, Dog Admission Nights invite visitors to bring their furry companions to be part of the fun on three Wednesdays this season, Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Dog Admission Nights require Illumination tickets for human admission and separate $10 tickets for dog admission to the event. 

The popular Electric Illumination returns with an adults-only experience all night on Fridays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, with a live DJ broadcasting throughout the event for guests 18 and older. Each night will feature a different curated musical playlist, with the themes including Dec. 5 – I Want My MTV and TRL; Dec. 12 – Pop Divas; and Dec. 19 – House. Tickets to Electric Illumination start at $18.80 for members and $23 for nonmembers.

Illumination Sensory Night returns on Tuesday, Nov. 18, offering a modified Illumination experience featuring static lights and music at low volume. Tickets will be available in a limited capacity to provide a sensory-sensitive environment.

The lowest ticket prices for Illumination and Electric Illumination will be available exclusively to members Oct. 1–14; prices vary by date and time selected. Members receive the lowest ticket prices all season with a 20% discount. Illumination sponsor ComEd is offering a $5 discount per ticket on a limited number of nonmember tickets by entering the code 2025COMEDLIGHTS during online checkout beginning Oct. 15, while supplies last (this offer is not valid for IllumiBrew or Electric Illumination).

In addition, the Arboretum is offering deeply reduced Illumination ticket prices on select nights for Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT/LINK) and WIC cardholders through the Museums for All program at $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Tickets will be available online and in person at the Arboretum’s Visitor Center during operating hours. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit mortonarb.org. 

New this year, guests can escape into a private 90-minute experience with IllumiDome rentals, located in Arbor Court. The warm, enclosed 13-foot see-through domes are perfect for groups of up to 10 guests, with two time slots available each evening at 5-6:30 p.m. or 7:30-9 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays, and on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. IllumiDome rentals include a warm, non-alcoholic beverage and s’mores kit for each guest, plus a festive basket of holiday treats including brownies, cookies and peppermint bark. Guests may add on an alcoholic beverage package for an additional $5 per guest. IllumiDome rentals may be booked by contacting the Arboretum’s Signature Events team at 630-719-2457 or events@mortonarb.org. Illumination tickets must be purchased separately in advance of reserving a dome. 

Along Illumination’s walking trail, a concession tent will serve hot chocolate, snacks, alcoholic beverages and s’mores kits to be enjoyed at warming bonfires. Making its debut, the featured Illumination beverage is a special, photo-worthy s’mores hot chocolate served in a limited-edition Morton Arboretum logo mug, available exclusively inside the concession tent along the trail. Guests can also enjoy a hot meal in the Ginkgo Restaurant overlooking the Meadow Lake finale.

The exhibition was custom-designed and developed uniquely for the Arboretum in partnership with international media and exhibit designers Lightswitch LLC and features energy-efficient, eco-friendly LED lighting.

Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum is generously sponsored by Invesco QQQ, ComEd, Duly Health and Care and Morton Salt.