One of the Chicago suburbs' biggest holiday traditions is coming back — and this year's version will look very different.
Illumination at The Morton Arboretum returns to Lisle from November 14, 2026, through January 2, 2027, with 22 light displays spread across its one-mile outdoor trail.
But the biggest addition might make you feel like you've traveled much farther north.
A new 400-foot-long light canopy inspired by the aurora borealis will stretch above visitors, surrounding them with shifting colors and illuminated curtains designed to recreate the feeling of walking underneath the northern lights.
And it's just one of several completely new experiences coming this year.
Illumination Returns for Its 14th Season
Illumination has become one of the western suburbs' signature holiday events.
Rather than simply decorating trees with Christmas lights, the experience transforms The Morton Arboretum's landscape using light, color, sound and interactive displays.
Visitors follow an approximately one-mile paved walking trail through the Arboretum, encountering installations designed specifically for the natural landscape.
For its 14th season, organizers are giving the experience a significant refresh.
There will be 22 displays, including four brand-new large-scale installations, enhanced versions of returning favorites and interactive experiences.
The trail is also ADA accessible and designed to be walkable and rollable.
The Biggest Addition: Northern Lights
The showstopper this year is appropriately called Northern Lights.
The new installation will create an aurora borealis-inspired canopy stretching more than 400 feet overhead.
Instead of looking up at the real northern lights in Alaska, Canada or Scandinavia, visitors will walk beneath shifting colors and shimmering illuminated curtains designed to evoke the movement of the aurora.
The Morton Arboretum calls it the most ambitious installation in Illumination's history.
There's another reason to see it this year:
Northern Lights is currently planned as a one-season-only installation.
So unlike some Illumination favorites that return year after year, this particular experience may only be available during the 2026–2027 season.
Three More New Light Installations Are Coming
Northern Lights isn't the only major addition.
Three other large-scale installations will debut this season.
Lightwave
Lightwave will create a 165-foot immersive tunnel inspired by rain and dew drops.
Inside, visitors will encounter 64 moving illuminated spheres surrounded by 160 stationary chrome spheres in different sizes.
Light and movement will work together to create the feeling of water moving through the environment.
Cosmic Garden
Another new installation, Cosmic Garden, will transform a hillside using 25 glowing orbs and shifting patterns.
The design takes inspiration from meditative sand gardens, blending light with the natural contours of the landscape.
Fairy Forest
Then there's Fairy Forest.
This installation will turn part of the Arboretum into an enchanted landscape filled with glowing orbs designed to resemble floating fairies and oversized fireflies.
Illuminated mushrooms and other fantasy-inspired elements will complete the scene.
Between Northern Lights, Lightwave, Cosmic Garden and Fairy Forest, returning visitors should find several areas of the trail that feel completely new this year.
There's Also a New Model Train Experience
Families will have another new attraction to explore — but this one isn't technically part of the regular Illumination ticket.
The Pine Whistle Railroad is a new indoor model train experience inside the Arboretum's Firefly Pavilion.
The attraction will feature nearly 1,000 feet of model train track winding through an illuminated fantasy woodland.
Miniature trains will travel through scenes featuring fairy and gnome houses, oversized mushrooms and other woodland details.
Some trains will even travel on elevated tracks overhead.
Unlike the outdoor Illumination trail, Pine Whistle Railroad will be indoors.
It will be offered as a separately ticketed add-on during both daytime Arboretum visits and evening Illumination hours.
The railroad opens November 13 and is scheduled to continue beyond Illumination into February 2027.
Returning Favorites Aren't Going Away
If your family already has favorite Illumination displays, don't worry.
Several familiar experiences will return.
Among them are Treemagination, Golden Glade and Symphony Woods, although organizers say those installations will receive new enhancements this season.
Interactive favorites including Celebration Circle and Hug-a-Tree are also returning.
Visitors will additionally get another chance to see four giant illuminated sculptures from the Arboretum's Vivid Creatures exhibition incorporated into the nighttime experience.
That means this year's event isn't a complete replacement of the Illumination people already know.
Instead, it's a combination of familiar favorites and several major new additions.
IllumiBrew Kicks Things Off One Night Early
Adults who want an early look at the new displays can attend IllumiBrew on Friday, November 13 — one night before Illumination officially opens.
The 21-and-over event runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Visitors can walk the Illumination trail while sampling seasonal beers, ciders and meads from Chicago-area breweries.
It's essentially a preview of the holiday light show combined with a beer-tasting event.
Regular Illumination begins the following evening.
There's a Sensory-Friendly Night Too
The Arboretum will again offer a modified version of Illumination for visitors who may benefit from a more sensory-sensitive experience.
Sensory Night is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17.
During that evening, lights will remain static rather than continuously moving, music will play at a lower volume and attendance will be limited.
It's designed to make the event more accessible for guests who may find the regular show's movement, sound or crowds overwhelming.
You Can Even Bring Your Dog on Select Nights
Dogs aren't normally permitted at Illumination, but there are four exceptions this season.
Special Dog Admission Nights are scheduled for:
December 2
December 9
December 16
January 1
Separate admission is required for dogs, and pets must remain leashed.
So yes — your dog can technically experience the northern lights too.
When Do Illumination Tickets Go on Sale?
Members of The Morton Arboretum received early access beginning October 1.
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 15.
Because Illumination is one of the area's more popular holiday attractions, families hoping for a specific weekend or time may want to plan ahead once general ticket sales open.
The Arboretum also offers AnyDay tickets for visitors who want more flexibility.
When Is Illumination Open?
The 2026–2027 season runs:
November 14, 2026 – January 2, 2027
The experience takes place at:
The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532
Visitors walk an approximately one-mile paved outdoor trail, so winter clothing and comfortable shoes are definitely worth planning for.
Why This Year's Illumination Stands Out
If you've already visited Illumination several times, it can be easy to wonder whether another year will feel much different.
This season appears designed specifically to answer that question.
Four new large-scale installations are being introduced at once.
There's a new indoor model train experience.
Several returning installations are being refreshed.
And the centerpiece — a northern-lights-inspired canopy extending more than 400 feet — is the largest and most ambitious installation the event has created so far.
Since Northern Lights is only scheduled for this season, even longtime Illumination visitors will have something they haven't seen before.
FAQs
When is Illumination at The Morton Arboretum in 2026?
Illumination runs from Saturday, November 14, 2026, through Saturday, January 2, 2027.
What's new at Illumination this year?
Four new large-scale installations are debuting: Northern Lights, Lightwave, Cosmic Garden and Fairy Forest. The Arboretum is also introducing the separately ticketed Pine Whistle Railroad model train experience.
How long is the Northern Lights display?
The aurora borealis-inspired canopy stretches more than 400 feet and features shifting colors and illuminated curtains overhead.
Is Northern Lights permanent?
No. The Morton Arboretum says the Northern Lights installation is currently planned to appear during this Illumination season only.
How long is the Illumination trail?
The outdoor walking experience covers approximately one mile on a paved, ADA-accessible path.
Is Pine Whistle Railroad included with Illumination?
No. Pine Whistle Railroad is a separately ticketed add-on experience inside the Firefly Pavilion.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets went on sale to Morton Arboretum members on October 1. General-public ticket sales begin October 15 at 9 a.m.
Can dogs attend Illumination?
Only during designated Dog Admission Nights on December 2, December 9, December 16 and January 1. Separate dog admission is required.
Final Thoughts
Illumination has been transforming The Morton Arboretum into a winter light show for more than a decade, but its 14th season could be one of the biggest refreshes yet.
The centerpiece alone sounds impressive: more than 400 feet of shifting light designed to recreate the northern lights above visitors' heads.
Add three more brand-new installations, nearly 1,000 feet of model train track, refreshed returning favorites and 22 displays across the one-mile trail, and even families who make Illumination an annual tradition should have plenty that's new to see.
The lights turn on November 14.
And if you want to experience Northern Lights, this winter may be your only chance.
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