Get ready for the most dazzling walk of the year! Illumination, Chicago’s beloved outdoor holiday lights exhibition, returns to The Morton Arboretum for its 14th season, running from Saturday, November 14, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027.
This year’s edition is the boldest yet, with 22 spectacular displays along the mile-long paved trail. The star of the show is a breathtaking 400-foot canopy inspired by the northern lights — the most ambitious installation in the event’s history — alongside a glowing landscape of firefly-like orbs and illuminated mushrooms.
Four brand-new large-scale installations make their debut, including the new Pine Whistle Railroad, a family-friendly model train journey through a fantasy woodland inside the Firefly Pavilion.
Tickets went on sale to Arboretum members on October 1 and open to the general public on October 15 at 9 a.m. CT. This enchanting mile-long stroll through light, music, and nature has become a cherished holiday tradition for families across the Chicago area.
Visit mortonarb.org/illumination to plan your visit and grab tickets before they sell out.
Photo: The Morton Arboretum
