Ravinia Festival is a primarily outdoor music venue set on 36 acres in Highland Park, Illinois, about 25 miles north of Chicago. Founded in 1904 as an amusement park by the A.C. Frost Company to boost ridership on the Chicago and Milwaukee Electric Railroad, it quickly evolved into a celebrated concert destination — making it North America’s oldest continuously operating outdoor music festival.
Each summer, from June through September, Ravinia draws around 400,000 listeners to 100 to 120 events spanning classical, opera, jazz, blues, folk, rock, and pop. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has called Ravinia its summer home since 1936, and a long roster of legendary performers — from Aretha Franklin to Sting — has graced its stages over the decades.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Highland Park, Illinois
- Type: Outdoor music festival & amphitheater
- Opened: August 15, 1904
- Grounds: 36 acres (Ravinia Park)
- Pavilion Capacity: 2,850 seats (Hunter Pavilion)
- Lawn Capacity: ~15,000 (picnic-style)
- Annual Events: 100–120 per season
- Famous for: Summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1936
An Evening at Ravinia
Concert-goers have two ways to experience Ravinia: reserved seats inside the covered Hunter Pavilion, which holds 2,850, or a sprawling lawn where families and friends spread blankets, uncork wine, and picnic under the stars. The relaxed lawn tradition is as old as the festival itself and remains central to its charm.
The only structure on the grounds dating to the original 1904 construction is the Martin Theatre, an intimate 850-seat indoor hall built in the prairie architectural style. It hosts chamber music, recitals, and smaller-scale productions throughout the season, offering an up-close alternative to the main pavilion.
A Legacy Rooted in Chicago’s Cultural Life
The New York Philharmonic under conductor Walter Damrosch gave the first orchestral performance at Ravinia on June 17, 1905, setting the tone for the venue’s classical ambitions. Ravinia closed during the Great Depression but reopened in 1936 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, beginning a partnership that has lasted nearly 90 years.
Beyond the CSO, Ravinia has built a reputation for bold programming across genres, bringing world-renowned soloists, jazz ensembles, and pop headliners to Highland Park season after season. Metra’s Union Pacific North Line still stops at the historic Ravinia station entrance during the summer, a nod to the railroad roots that created the festival in the first place.
Explore more: Live Music venues and festivals.
Ravinia Festival FAQs
When does the Ravinia Festival season run?
The Ravinia season typically runs from June through September, with 100 to 120 events scheduled across the summer months.
Can you bring food and drinks to Ravinia?
Yes. Lawn ticket holders are encouraged to bring picnic baskets, blankets, and outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. Wine and other drinks are also available for purchase on the grounds.
How do you get to Ravinia Festival?
Ravinia is accessible by car (with on-site parking) or by Metra’s Union Pacific North Line, which stops at the dedicated Ravinia station adjacent to the park entrance during the festival season.
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Photo: MusicFan2029 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.