‘A beloved holiday tradition’: Morton Arboretum’s ‘Illumination’ returns for a 13th year of immersive displays

The Morton Arboretum’s annual “Illumination” exhibition this year combines the natural and the whimsical, bathed in light and sound.

“Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum” returns for its 13th year, running from Nov. 15 to Jan. 3. It features 20 immersive displays along a one-mile accessible walking trail.

“It’s become such a beloved holiday tradition for families and friends in the Chicagoland area, so we’re excited to bring it back,” said Amy Scott, Morton Arboretum’s head of exhibitions.

Over the years, more than 2 million people have visited the tree museum in Lisle to see the displays. In 2024, USA Today readers named “Illumination” one of the top 10 botanical garden holiday lights. It was the third time the show made the list.

“The key tenet of ‘Illumination’ is that we treat the trees as the stars of the show,” said John Featherstone, a lighting designer as well as principal and managing director of Lightswitch Chicago, which has worked with Morton Arboretum since “Illumination” began.

Lightswitch executes the project with Arlington Heights’ Intelligent Lighting Creations (ILC).

The creative process starts at least a year in advance, and it includes customer surveys and summertime property visits to design a presentation “authentic and unique to the arboretum,” Featherstone said.

Preparations began in September. Installation continues into November.

“We spend a lot of time doing concert tours,” he said of his company, “so if ‘Illumination’ was a band, the trees would be the musicians.”

Features this year incorporate four of the five playful, large-scale animal sculptures created by Oregon-based artists Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz for the arboretum’s latest art exhibition, “Vivid Creatures: Colorful Sculptures as Tall as Trees.”

“We’re really excited to be accentuating those works in different ways that people aren’t able to experience during the day,” Scott said.

Scamp the squirrel, Generosity the buck, Cadence the crane and Nimbly the dragonfly — with a 30-foot wingspan — all can be seen from the path.

Featherstone said designers had “a ton of fun” working with the BeGaetzes in lighting the sculptures.

“The dragonfly that’s at the end of the (Meadow) Lake, almost at times, looks like it’s just about to take flight,” he said. “And the buck that you encounter, Generosity, as you come around the corner, it’s a surreal moment that I still haven’t even got used to, and I’ve been out there for a couple weeks.”

The Morton Arboretum is also finding new ways for people to enjoy “Illumination.”

On Friday, Nov. 14, people 21 and older can preview the show at IllumiBrew, a sampling of seasonal beers, ciders and meads along the trail.

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, a sensory night offers a modified experience, featuring static lights and music at low volume.

People will be able to bring their dogs on three Wednesday nights in December — Dec. 3, 10, and 17. Yes, separate tickets are required for dogs.

People 18 and over may experience “Electric Illumination” on three December Fridays, featuring deejays playing music around specific themes.

“It’ll be a full night for adults who just want to come and enjoy a different kind of experience at ‘Illumination’,” Scott said.

Rental IllumiDomes, private 13-foot, see-through domes for parties of up to 10 people, are also available.

The arboretum this year has added flexible ticket rebooking in case “weather or plans” change, Scott said.

“A lot of new and fun ideas to really kind of give everyone different opportunities to enjoy ‘Illumination’ in a way that resonates with them most,” Scott said.

Two things resonate with Featherstone when people ask his advice on what “Illumination” offers.

One is that he’s committed to providing an experience that offers value — “a different thing than price,” he said.

The other: Slow down.

“This doesn’t have to be a 45-minute experience. It can be a whole evening, there’s lots to see, there’s lots to do,” Featherstone said.

“Sit by a fire pit, roast some marshmallows, meander with kids, especially as the weather seems to be smiling on us at the moment. And enjoy this time in nature in the middle of one of the busiest times of the year.”

For more information, pricing and tickets, visit mortonarb.org.