At Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum, the trees are not structures for hanging holiday lights. They are the stars of the show.
That creative decision helped turn Illumination into one of the Chicago area’s most distinctive winter experiences. In this episode of Beyond the Limelight, John Featherstone, co-founder and principal of Lightswitch, and Scott Falbe, owner and CEO of Intelligent Lighting Creations, explain how design, partnership, and technical discipline bring the event to life.
The idea began with a simple question: could the arboretum become a nighttime destination? Rather than imitate a traditional holiday display, the team wanted to reveal the beauty of nature during its dormant season. Light would shape the way guests saw trunks, branches, texture, scale, and landscape—but the technology could never overwhelm the setting.
Launching that vision required shared risk. The Morton Arboretum, Lightswitch, and ILC entered a collaborative development process without knowing exactly how audiences would respond. The event’s scale demanded a partner that could move quickly, communicate directly, and solve problems across design, rental, systems integration, logistics, and outdoor operations.
ILC brought both inventory and practical expertise. Illumination uses miles of power and data cable, large quantities of specialized fixtures, and interactive systems that must perform through snow, ice, moisture, wind, and extreme cold. A compelling idea is only successful if it works night after night.
That need shaped the event’s creative evolution. Equipment is maintained, upgraded, and replaced as technology improves. Designs are refreshed so returning guests can discover something new. Interactive moments invite visitors to influence the environment rather than simply walk past it, creating the feeling that they have been handed the crayons.
The result is intentionally difficult to describe to someone who has never experienced it. Illumination is not just a collection of decorated trees. It is a journey through scenes, color, sound, atmosphere, and moments of participation. Even a simple interaction can feel magical when it is integrated naturally into the landscape.
Behind that magic is a year-round cycle. Planning begins long before the first guest arrives. Designers develop new concepts, technicians prepare equipment, and teams schedule installation, testing, daily maintenance, and eventual load-out. Lessons from each season inform the next.
John and Scott’s story is ultimately about partnership. Lightswitch protects the creative intent. ILC turns that intent into a dependable system. The arboretum keeps the mission and guest experience at the center.
When those roles align, technology disappears into the environment and winter nature steps into the light.
Watch the Episode:
Learn more about Lightswitch and ILC:
