Parties and Social Gatherings

Daytime Events

Escape the rush of everyday life and host your daytime event at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens, where stunning landscapes create a setting unlike any other. Choose from a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, each offering seamless access to our gardens. Perfect for guests to explore and enjoy during public hours.

From spring through fall, our outdoor tented space showcases the Morris at its most vibrant, while our indoor spaces provide year-round options for gatherings of all kinds. Complimentary on-site parking ensures a smooth arrival, and our selection of approved caterers offers diverse cuisine options to suit any taste and budget.

Reservations may be made up to six months in advance. Create a memorable experience surrounded by natural beauty and tranquility. 

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Birthdays, Bridal and Baby Showers 

Celebrate birthdays, showers, and life’s special moments surrounded by the beauty of the Morris. Our outdoor reception tent offers a charming garden setting for gatherings of up to 150 guests, with flexible layout options to match your vision. Choose from three party tiers (up to 50, 51–100, or 101–150 guests) with tables and reception chairs included for your convenience. During public hours, the reception tent is shared with our members and visitors, with your event space thoughtfully partitioned for visual privacy.

For more intimate celebrations, our Upper Gallery accommodates indoor events of up to 50 guests and includes A/V capabilities, with optional access to the McLean Room for catering setup.

Daytime events are typically scheduled between 10 AM and 2 PM, with a two-hour minimum, based on availability.

Prefer a more exclusive experience? Explore our Evening Events options for fully private celebrations below.

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Celebrations of Life 

Honor and celebrate the life of a loved one in a gorgeous, natural setting at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors, our spaces offer a comforting place for family and friends to gather, reflect, and share memories.

Daytime Celebrations of Life may be held between 10 am and 2 pm in the Upper Gallery and/or Side Tent, with a two-hour minimum and scheduling based on availability. These gatherings are designed as invite-only events with a set guest count.

Please note that traditional funeral services, memorials, wakes, or open-invitation events are not accommodated during daytime hours. For those seeking a more private or extended experience, evening rental options are available (see below).

Evening Events

From intimate birthdays and anniversaries to lively cocktail parties and grand celebrations, evening events at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens offer an unforgettable setting surrounded by natural beauty. After hours, the gardens are yours, giving your guests the rare opportunity to explore and enjoy the Morris in a private, serene atmosphere.

Planning a corporate gathering? Whether you’re hosting an employee or client appreciation event, fundraiser, awards dinner, or gala, our evening options provide a distinctive backdrop. Entertain among picturesque gardens or within our historic carriage house for an experience that feels both exclusive and truly memorable.

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Cocktail Receptions

For a relaxed, social atmosphere, our cocktail receptions offer a unique way to gather and celebrate. Out on a Limb, our signature tree canopy walk experience, is perfect for casual events centered around mingling and light fare. Set high among the treetops, it provides a one-of-a-kind experience your guests won’t soon forget. Dates are available April through October.

For a classic garden soirée, the Rose Garden offers a stunning backdrop in peak bloom. In June and July, host friends or colleagues among vibrant flowers and winding flagstone paths—an ideal setting for effortless conversation and connection.

Cocktail receptions are three hours in length and between 6PM and 9PM and can be booked up to six months in advance.

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Dinner Receptions

Host an unforgettable evening dinner reception in our Widener Reception Tent, where the charm of the outdoors meets the character of our historic wagon house. Enjoy four hours of event time in a tented setting, with adjacent indoor space that can be used for a bar, buffet, or lounge area.

With flexible layout options, you can design the space to suit your vision - whether it’s an elegant seated dinner or a more relaxed, flowing reception. Dining tables and reception chairs are included, and you’re welcome to bring a DJ or entertainment to create the perfect atmosphere.

Dinner receptions are held from 6 PM to 10 PM, offering a full evening for dining, celebration, and connection in a truly distinctive garden setting.

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Garden Gala Experience

Bring together the best of the Morris for a truly exceptional evening. Begin with a cocktail reception in one of our picturesque garden locations (availability based on season), then transition to dinner and entertainment in the Widener Reception Tent.

This combined experience offers a natural flow from mingling among the gardens to a full dinner celebration in a beautifully tented setting. Dining tables and reception chairs are included, and the space can be tailored to suit your event style.

Full gala events are four hours in length, held between 6PM and 10PM, with the option to extend your evening for an additional hour.