Wuthering Heights Walking Play at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle

The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, a short drive from downtown Naperville, is staging Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights as a walking play this fall, with six performances left between October 10 and October 25, 2026. The arboretum calls it a true ghost story for the spookier fall season, and it tells the classic tale of love, loss, and heartache at natural backdrop locations along the arboretum’s trails.

Whether you’re a longtime Naperville resident seeking a fresh weekend adventure or a visitor exploring the area’s parks and cultural spots, this outdoor production blends theater with nature in a way that feels uniquely local.

A Fall Weekend Outing Near Naperville

The Wuthering Heights run opened September 19. The remaining performances are Saturday, October 10, Sunday, October 11, Saturday, October 17, Sunday, October 18, Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026, each beginning at 4 p.m. at the Thornhill Shelter on the Arboretum’s West Side.

What to Expect

Professional local actors bring a faithful retelling of the novel to life against the Arboretum’s natural backdrops. A walk leader guides the audience along an approximately 1.5-mile route to each scene. The performance lasts about 90 minutes with no intermission and suits ages 12 and up due to its dark themes and mild violence.

• Fall shows begin at 4:00 p.m.
• Bring water, a portable chair or blanket, and bug spray for comfort. The Arboretum does not rent chairs for this event.
• The Saturday, October 17 performance is a low-impact hike: a shorter route of about half a mile at a slower pace that stays near paved paths wherever possible.

Plan Your Visit

The Morton Arboretum sits at 4100 Illinois Route 53 in Lisle. Park in Lot P-21 and allow up to 30 minutes to park and reach the Thornhill Shelter check-in. Tickets must be purchased online in advance: $27 for adults 18 and older, $17 for children 2 through 17, and free for infants younger than 2. Arboretum members pay $17 per adult and $7 per child by entering a member ID when buying online. Your ticket also covers admission to the Arboretum.

The Arboretum will do its best to hold each performance rain or shine, and the play will not move indoors. Weather decisions are made about three hours before the show and shared on the Arboretum’s website, Facebook page and by email; the ticket line for weather questions is 630-725-2066.

• Restrooms are available at the Thornhill Shelter.
• Dogs are not permitted at Walking Plays, even on Dog Admission Days.
• ASL interpretation is available on request: email specialevents@mortonarb.org at least two weeks before your performance date.

Make It a DuPage Day

Because your Walking Plays ticket includes Arboretum admission, you can arrive early and enjoy the grounds before the 4 p.m. start. On the drive home, a stroll along the Naperville Riverwalk is an easy add-on.

Tickets are sold online in advance only, so pick your date early and plan an afternoon of outdoor theater at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.

Event Details At-A-Glance

• When: Saturday, October 10 to Sunday, October 25, 2026 (Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m.)
• Where: Thornhill Shelter, The Morton Arboretum
• Address: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532, United States
• Admission: $17 to $27 (infants younger than 2 free)
• Organizer: The Morton Arboretum
• Phone: 630-968-0074
• Tickets / info: Get details

Dates, times, and pricing can change. Confirm the latest details on the official event page before making plans.

Looking for more? Explore other things to do in Naperville or browse the full Naperville events calendar.