Illumination Light Show – Morton Arboretum
Bring the nature lovers in your family to experience Illumination at the beautiful Morton Arboretum, a holiday‑themed light and sound show running November 16 through January 1. Make it a festive getaway and stay at the nearby and affordable Best Western Plus Chicago Hotel at Hillside!
Illumination at Morton Arboretum is a chilly delight of light, sound, and visual artistry. The mile‑long walk winds through fifty acres of trees bathed in theatrical LED lighting, glowing in vivid colors like electric blue, hot pink, and neon green.
Along the trail, you’ll encounter interactive displays that respond to voice or touch, inviting you to see trees in a whole new way. Enjoy dazzling light effects on Meadow Lake and Ornament Hill, listen to recordings from the world‑renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Woods, or sing to the trees and watch LED lights cascade from the treetops to the forest floor.
This year’s experience includes new twists on returning favorites, plus surprising new installations such as HYBYCOZO’s treelike sculptures that cast intricate patterns of light. Hug a tree to see how it responds, walk through a grove of star‑like lights, or watch multicolored beams dance to symphonic music. Choose the main path for hands‑on fun or stroll a quieter trail for a more tranquil view. Crystal Promenade features twenty‑four chandeliers of varying sizes illuminating the trees, while Season’s Greetings lets visitors control projected images using hemlock trees as natural screens.
Morton Arboretum is located at 4100 Illinois Route 53 in Lisle. For tickets and more information, call (630) 968‑0074 or visit www.mortonarb.org. Reservations are required and tied to specific dates and times. Closed Mondays, Christmas Eve and Day, and Thanksgiving.
Best Western Plus Chicago Hotel at Hillside, just minutes from the Morton Arboretum, offers comfortable rooms, free parking, an on‑site restaurant and lounge, a fitness center, and convenient access to downtown Chicago and O’Hare Airport. The hotel is pet‑friendly and provides a welcoming, affordable stay for families visiting the Illumination Light Show.