Parties and Social Gatherings

Daytime Events

The Morris Arboretum & Gardens will put your event in a class of its own, away from the rush of modern life, against a backdrop of gorgeous gardens. A variety of indoor and outdoor settings may be rented with direct access to the rest of the gardens for you and your guests to wander and enjoy during our public hours. Free on-site parking is included. For refreshments you may choose from any of our approved caterers who represent a variety of cuisine styles and price ranges. Our outdoor events season runs from April through October and indoor events may be booked year-round. Dates may be booked up to six months in advance. Enjoy peaceful, natural surroundings for a memorable event!

An elevated platform in the trees set up for an event.

Birthdays, Bridal and Baby Showers

Celebrate your milestone event surrounded by greenery in our outdoor reception tent. We offer three tiers of party: up to 50, 51 to 100 or 101 to 150 guests. The space allows flexible layout for your style and our dining tables and reception chairs are included.

Indoor parties for up to 50 can be held in our Upper Gallery space with A/V capabilities and optional access to the McLean Room for catering set up.

Events may be scheduled between 10 AM and 2 PM, with a two-hour minimum, based on open hours and availability. During the day the reception tent space is shared with our members and visitors, and we partition your space for visual privacy. If a private evening event sounds better for you, check out our options under Evening Events below.

A rose garden in bloom with pink, purple, and orange flowers, as well as a stone sculpture and bench. — Photo: Rob Cardillo

Celebrations of Life

Planning a happy celebration of a passed loved one? The Morris may be an option for you to come together in the beauty of nature. Private programs may be held between 10 AM and 2 PM in the Upper Gallery with a luncheon following in the Side Tent. For daytime events, attendance is limited to fifty guests and must be invite-only. Open invitations with variable guest counts, funeral services, wakes or other somber events are not permitted. If you’d like to host a larger event, see our Evening Events options below.

Hourly rate between 10 AM and 4 PM; subject to availability (two-hour minimum).

Evening Events

Birthdays, anniversaries, cocktail parties with friends or a grand celebration are all wonderful when set in our
beautiful gardens. For Celebrations of Life, choose one of our picturesque settings for your program and then
celebrate at Out on a Limb or in the reception tent afterwards.

Looking to host your employee or client appreciation event, a fundraiser or awards dinner? Perhaps a special
company dinner or gala event? We have several options after hours to entertain your guests in a lovely garden
setting and historic carriage house building.

A group of five people stand at a cocktail table on an elevated platform in the treetops.

Cocktail Receptions

Our treehouse feature Out on a Limb is great for casual events meant for mingling and snacks. High in the treetops, your guests will enjoy a memorable experience. Dates may be booked up to six months in advance for our season which runs April through October. The Rose Garden is a great place to mix and mingle for a mid-summer soiree. Host your clients and colleagues amongst our exquisite flowers and flagstone paths between June and August. Cocktail receptions are for three hours between 6 pm and 9 pm.

A white events tent surrounded by trees and plants.

Dinner Receptions

Full dinner receptions may be hosted in our Widener Reception Tent. Enjoy four hours of event time in our outdoor tented area and historic wagon house building. Event hours are from 6 pm to 10 pm. Utilize the classroom area for a bar or buffet and bring in your own DJ or entertainment. The space allows flexible layout for your style and our dining tables and reception chairs are included.

A reception setup of tables, chairs, place settings, and flowers under a white tent.

Full Gala Events

Combine the best parts of the gardens for an exceptional event. Start with a cocktail reception in one of the above locations (dates permitting) followed by dinner and entertainment in the Widener Tent. Dining tables and reception chairs are included with the venue. Want to get around a little easier? Rent our golf cart to help guests get to and from the cocktail reception in the Rose Garden or ride for tours around the gardens before dinner. Events are for four hours between 6pm and 10pm, and an additional hour may be added if you’d like.

Daytime Event Rates

The McLean Room is located next to the Upper Gallery and is carpeted. The room includes a large White Board, two bulletin boards and a screen. The character of the historic building is evident in the stable windows and exposed woods beams. A set of double doors connect it to the Upper Gallery and it is often rented in addition to the Upper Gallery for food and refreshments.

Size: 17’ x 18’
Capacity: 12
Rate: $150/hour

Daytime hourly rate between 10 AM and 4 PM; subject to availability (2-hour minimum).
Daytime parties can only be booked up to 6 months prior to event date (subject to availability).

The Classroom is located on the lower level of the Widener Visitor Center and works well for classroom style set-ups for up to 22 people. The room includes a large chalkboard and screen. The Mercer tile floor, stucco walls, exposed wood beams and French doors create a cozy, rustic ambience.

Size: 23’ x 19’
Capacity: 22
Rate: $250/hour

Daytime hourly rate between 10 AM and 4 PM; subject to availability (2-hour minimum).
Daytime parties can only be booked up to 6 months prior to event date (subject to availability).

The Upper Gallery is located on the main floor of the Widener Visitor Center and is a great location for multiple meeting/retreat layouts, including audience-style, classroom, banquet or boardroom. The floors are carpeted, lights are dimmable, and the walls are lined with nature-inspired exhibits. This space includes a projector, screen and podium with microphone and the original barn door slides to create a separation from the Morris gift shop.

Size: 40’x 23’
Capacity: 80 audience style; 50 round tables
Rate: $600/hour

Daytime hourly rate between 10 AM and 4 PM; subject to availability (2-hour minimum).
Daytime parties can only be booked up to 6 months prior to event date (subject to availability).

For daytime events during the months of April through October, the side tent is a great outdoor option. From this hillside vantage point behind the Widener Visitor Center, many of the Morris’s trees and other plantings serve as the backdrop. This area is adjacent to the Compton Café and screened for privacy. The Widener Tent is not air conditioned but cooled by ceiling fans.

Size: 70’ x 30’

Capacity: 0–50
Rate: $600/hour

Capacity: 51–100
Rate: $1,100/hour

Capacity: 101–150
Rate: $1,500/hour

Daytime hourly rate between 10 AM and 4 PM; subject to availability (2-hour minimum).
Daytime parties can only be booked up to 6 months prior to event date (subject to availability).