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Wilder Park - 8:00 AM
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Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
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Wilder Park - 8:00 AM
Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
Various Chicago Parks - 5:15 PM
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink - various times
Brookfield Zoo - various times
Wilder Park - 8:00 AM
Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
McKinley Park Pool - 6:00 PM
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink - various times
Harris Theater for Music and Dance - 2:00 PM Pick
Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
Chicago Childrens Museum - 10:00 AM
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink - various times
Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
Chicago Childrens Museum - 10:00 AM
Hyde Park Arts Center - 11:00 AM
Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile
Studebaker Theater
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Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum
- see all dates
Except November 27, 2025, December 24, 2025, December 25, 2025.
Visitors walk a one-mile path with thousands of lights in displays illuminating the trees, accompanied by music. An awe-inspiring display illuminates the new Grand Garden. Visitors can enjoy some old favorites and new displays. New this year—Illumination features four colorful animal sculptures from The Morton Arboretum’s newest exhibition Vivid Creatures, by artists Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz. See these colorful sculptures lit up for the holidays and transformed for the Illumination experience. Stop along the way to roast s'mores around a campfire or drink a hot beverage from concession stands.
Prices vary for members and nonmembers and time of admission. Illumination opens each evening at 4:30pm, with the last entry at 8:30pm. Lights go out at 9:30pm. The event is closed November 28 (Thanksgiving),; December 24 (Christmas Eve), and 25 (Christmas Day).
