Chicago Botanic Garden

EVENTS Calendar

Special Events

PHOTO: carillon towerCarillon Concerts

Mondays, June 7 through September 6, 7 p.m.;
preconcert carillon tours and demonstrations 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (every 15 minutes)

 

"Carillon concerts are such a memorable experience. I look forward to them all year long. I am very thankful for the time we share together listening to a concert in the glorious setting of the Garden." — Donna Meadows

Enjoy an enchanting 45-minute musical performance of carillon bells on a warm summer evening and watch lights illuminate Evening Island.

Through a regularly scheduled series of concerts each summer, carillonneurs from around the world delight Garden visitors with the captivating music of the 48-bell Theodore C. Butz Memorial Carillon. Meet the performers and enjoy a free carillon tour and demonstration before the concert — you can even try your hand at ringing the bells.

Visitors can purchase snacks and a bottle of wine from the Garden Café, or grilled selections from the Garden Grille including burgers, hot dogs and barbeque. You may also bring a picnic dinner to enjoy on the lawn by McGinley Pavilion.

Since 1986, the carillon has remained both a noted landmark and a source of remarkable music at the Garden. Crafted in Holland, the tower's bronze bells and playing device with a range of four octaves constitutes one of the few hand-played carillons in the nation.

PHOTO: picnickers enjoy the carillon concert  PHOTO: carillon view from McGinley Pavilion

During the summer, a selected carillon concert program may be sponsored for a donation of $500. The sponsorship and individual(s) being honored or remembered will be indicated in the program for that evening. For more information, visit Tribute Programs, or email .

The Butz Foundation has generously made this concert series possible.