It’s the 13th anniversary of Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum this year. For 2025, Illumination features over 1,000 trees along the path and more than 1,200 lighting devices are used in creating this magical experience. As a longtime Lisle resident, Illumination has become part of our holiday lights family tradition that we all enjoy. It’s always magical!
So we’re excited to share with you that not only did The Morton Arboretum invite us to preview Illumination before it opened so we can give you an inside look, they also gave us 16 tickets for Illumination to give away to Kidlist readers and followers. These special tickets can be used on any night Illumination is open, including when it’s sold out. You don’t even need to make reservations!
Keep reading for a sneak peek of Illumination 2025, new additions this year and enter the giveaway at the end.
What is Illumination at The Morton Arboretum?
Illumination features 20 displays, some interactive and others awe inspiring, that are spread out along a paved, mile-long, walking path at The Morton Arboretum.
New this year! Scamp, the fox-squirrel sculpture, that is part of the Vivid Creatures exhibit by artists Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz greets you in Arbor Court and is lit up just for Illumination.
You’ll then encounter Celebration Circle in Centennial Plaza in The Grand Garden shortly after you enter the path. Each tree section is synced to a different instrument, including an organ, bass, bells, and strings. Guests can create their own tune by pressing the buttons in front of the smaller trees around the perimeter.
Near each of the 20 immersive light displays in the Illumination experience, there is a sign with the name of the experience. Here are some of our favorites this year:
Treemagination is a grove of trees that alternate between breathing with simulated movement and projections that drench the trees with saturated color.
Golden Glade is a great photo opportunity with millions of sparkling lights on both sides of the path and just beautiful. This year’s addition of Generosity, the Vivid Creatures white-tailed deer, made for an extra special photo op.
Ornament Hill and New for 2025! Cadence the Vivid Creatures sandhill crane sculpture, round out the first half of Illumination.
Ornament Hill surrounds guests on both sides of the paths with large, colorful globes of lights guiding you down the hill where you can choose to head back to the main building, or continue onto the Concessions Tent and the second half of the experience. Cadence the Vivid Creatures sandhill crane sculpture, can be viewed from the path near the Concessions Tent.
The Concessions Tent was a great half way stop for us. We warmed up a bit, took a bathroom break (as we were close to the Visitor Center) and grabbed hot cocoa and s’mores kit. The Concessions Tent will be open during all Illumination dates. The Arboretum is offering a limited edition mug only available during Illumination with a hot beverages for $15.
At this point, guests can head back to the Main Visitor Center if they choose. We chose to continue onto the second half of the experience. Hug-a-Tree is a timeless favorite! Visitors can interact with trees by hugging them and they will change colors!
Just around the bend, and next to Symphony Woods are the fire pits for s’more making. We really enjoyed watching the trees synchronized to the classic holiday music dance, as we sat around the warm fire and snacked on our sweet treat. S’more kits are for sale inside the Concessions Tent for $10 for 2 s’mores.
Starlit Trail is another great photo op. This magical part of the path is where you can walk among large twinkling stars leading you to Nimbly, the Vivid Creatures dragonfly illuminated for 2025.
You’ll end your walk along Meadow Lake Path as you watch Radiant Reflections with lights and music. The path leads you back to Arbor Court and the Visitor Center where the experience began.
When you purchase tickets, you will choose an entry time, but there isn’t a time limit to enjoy Illumination. The walking path is paved, about one mile, on flat land, and is ADA compliant.
When is Illumination?
Illumination is November 15, 2025 through January 3, 2026. It starts each evening at 4:30pm, with the last entry at 8:30pm and lights out at 9:30pm. Please note that Illumination is closed on November 17, 24, and 27 (Thanksgiving Day) and December 1, 2, 8, 15, 24, and 25 this year. On Electric Illumination evenings (December 5, 12, and 19) the last entry is 7:30pm.
Adults-Only Nights Electric Illumination
Electric Illumination has received an update for 2025! Adults-Only Nights Electric Illumination is an adults-only experience (18+) on Fridays in December (5, 12, and 19) and will feature a live DJ broadcasted throughout the entire experience. Each night has a different theme:
December 5: I Want my MTV and TRL
December 12: Pop Divas
December 19: House Music
Doors open at 4:30pm, last entry at 8:30pm and lights out at 9:30pm.
Illumination Sensory Evening
Sensory Evening will be held on Tuesday, November 18, from 4:30-9:30pm, with the last entry at 8pm. This modified experience will feature static lights and music at low volume. Tickets are limited for the event on this night to provide a sensory-sensitive environment.
Dog Admission Nights
New for 2025! Dogs are able to enjoy Illumination with their owners on three Wednesdays in December (3,10, and 17). Admission is $10 per dog, human tickets are also required.
Where to Warm Up and Get Food at Illumination
There is a Concessions Tent at Illumination with treats and warm beverages (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), as well as water. There are nearby fire pits to roast marshmallows from the s’mores kits that you can purchase in the tent.
The Ginkgo Restaurant in the Visitor Center is also open every night, except during Electric Illumination nights, and offers sandwiches, salads, and soups, along with assorted alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
IllumiDome Rentals
New in 2025! Guests can rent a warm, private 13-foot see through dome for 90-minutes that will accommodate up to 10 people. These domes are located near Scamp, the squirrel in Arbor Court. These see through domes will provide guests with a special place to warm up, snack and relax. Rentals are 5:00-6:30pm and 7:30-9:00 every evening, Thursday through Sundays (including New Years Eve and New Years Day). Reservations are available beginning November 20 through the end of Illumination.
Accessibility
The one-mile path is ADA compliant and the Arboretum has a small number of non-motorized wheelchairs available on loan free of charge in the Visitor Center on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please note that because the supply is limited, they recommend bringing your own. There are generally less people on the trails on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, which makes is easier to navigate.
Those with sensory needs can borrow headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, or a copy of the Illumination social narrative in English or Spanish when they arrive and then return them to the Visitor’s Center before leaving. There is also a Sensory Evening on November 18, 2025.
Tickets and Discounts
As of publishing, tickets for Illumination start at $21 per person when you buy them ahead of time, but please note that prices fluctuate based on the day of week and how many tickets are available. Children 3 years old and younger are free. The least expensive option is going to be to purchase tickets ahead of time for an entry time during the week. Members receive 20% off all Illumination tickets, so that is another option.
Through the Arboretum’s participation in the Museums for All program, a limited number of reduced-rate tickets will be available on select dates for guests with a state-issued Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT, P-EBT or LINK) card, or a valid WIC card.
Flexible Ticket Rebooking
New in 2025! The Arboretum is offering flexible ticket rebooking up to the start time of your reservation. What this means: don’t worry about the weather! The full balance of your tickets may be applied to a new reservation for a different evening. Tickets cannot be exchanged after the start time of the original reservation.
Illumination Ticket Giveaway
We have 16 Illumination tickets to give away to Kidlist readers and followers! These are the best tickets because you can use them whenever you want, even if it’s sold out. Just check their website to make sure it’s open when you want to go, and enjoy! No reservation needed.
