Destination Asia Festival
2026-08-01 - 2026-08-02 | The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL, US
Saturday, August 1: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PMSunday, August 2: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Guest Judge: Peter Chan
The premier bonsai exhibition of the year at the Morton Arboretum, featuring bonsai displays from across the Midwest, vendor sales, and workshops led by world-class artists.
Peter Chan is the doyen of bonsai in the United Kingdom. He is a self-taught bonsai artist whose journey began on a London balcony in the late 1960s. In 1986, he and his wife Dawn founded Herons Bonsai, which became Britain’s premier bonsai nursery. Peter holds the extraordinary record of 21 Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals — a feat unmatched by any other bonsai specialist. He served as Chairman of the British Bonsai Association (1980-1987) and is a founding member of the Federation of British Bonsai Societies. His first book, Bonsai: The Art of Growing and Keeping Miniature Trees (1985), remains a world bestseller still in print. His YouTube channel has over 500,000 subscribers and 70 million views.
Peter will conduct 4 workshops (2 per day) and serve as judge for the exhibition. 8 workshops are planned across the weekend, running 9 AM–noon and 1:30–4:30 PM.

August Member Meeting: Program TBD
2026-08-05 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL, US
Program to be announced. Check back for updates as the program is finalized.

September Member Meeting: Program TBD
2026-09-09 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL, US
Moved to the second Wednesday due to the Labor Day holiday.
Program to be announced. Check back for updates as the program is finalized.

October Member Meeting: Iron Bonsai Competition
2026-10-07 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL, US
The annual Iron Bonsai event — one of the most entertaining meetings of the year! Inspired by the TV cooking show format, experienced bonsai artists compete head-to-head, each styling raw material into a finished bonsai within a limited time while the audience watches. Come watch the drama unfold and vote for your favorite creation.

November Member Meeting: Program TBD
2026-11-04 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL, US
Program to be announced. In past years, November meetings have featured topics on winter storage and care of bonsai, preparing trees for dormancy, and other seasonal subjects. Check back for updates.
