Morton Arboretum’s “Illumination” Holiday Lights Show Pivots to Drive-Thru this Winter

My family have been a loyal Illumination attendees for the last several years and you better believe we’ll be going back this year! However, it will be a bit different — like pretty much everything in the age of corona.

Instead of bundling up, grabbing a spiked hot chocolate and pushing around strollers full of marshmallow-like children, we’ll be cozy and comfortable in our cars as Morton Arboretum shifts to a drive-thru format.

It definitely won’t be the same. I mean, it’s hard to literally hug a tree from your car, something that was a feature in year’s past, but there’s no doubt it will be equally spectacular.

If you have been going to Illumination, you can expect to see many of the same displays like Symphony Woods, Woodland Wonder and Crystal Promenade, but there will also be five brand new displays.

They will also be extending the hours to allow for more cars to pass though, staying open until 10:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Opening night is Friday, November 20th and it will be open through January 3rd.

More information and tickets for Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum can be found here.