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The Ravinia Festival, Chicago’s beloved summer music tradition in Highland Park, just dropped its 2026 season lineup, and it’s one of the most ambitious ever. With over 90 concerts running from early June through September, this year’s schedule blends legendary headliners, genre‑spanning favorites, classical staples and exciting debuts on the newly revamped Hunter Pavilion stage.
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Among the major names performing are Paul Simon, Chance the Rapper, Ricky Martin, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart and Miranda Lambert.
Tickets go on sale to the public on April 23, with donor presales beginning March 17. Concerts take place across outdoor stages and indoor venues, with everything from rock and pop to jazz, Latin, folk, orchestral programs and family shows.a
“The grand opening of the Hunter Pavilion marks a historic milestone for Ravinia,” Ravinia President and CEO Jeffrey P. Haydon said in a statement. “It is particularly meaningful that this state-of-the-art venue will serve as the inaugural stage for our debut artists, including conductor Klaus Mäkelä, Ricky Martin, Miranda Lambert, Alabama Shakes, Rod Stewart, and many others.
“We are finding that the pavilion’s enhanced acoustics and sophisticated production capabilities are a powerful draw for world-class talent eager to perform in a venue that doesn’t just host music but creates an atmosphere that leaves both artists and audiences equally inspired.”
When is the Ravinia Festival?
Ravinia Festival 2026’s summer season runs from June 3 through September 23.
Where is the Ravinia Festival?
Ravinia takes place at Ravinia Park (418 Sheridan Road) in Highland Park, Illinois. The easiest way to make the trip from inside Chicago city limits is to take I-94 north and get off at the Lake Cook Road or Clavey Road exit, or ride Metra's Union Pacific North Line to the Ravinia Park stop, which drops passengers off directly in front of the venue's gates.
How can I get tickets to the Ravinia Festival?
Go to the festival's official website to get tickets to each of the concerts listed below. Tickets go on sale to the general public on April 23, but Ravinia donors will have access starting March 17.
Can you bring alcohol into Ravinia Festival?
Guests are welcome to bring food, alcohol, chairs, tables and blankets for picnics on Ravinia's lawn. Food is not permitted in the pavilion, but drinks in 24-ounce (or smaller) paper or plastic containers are allowed.
Pavilion concert lineup and schedule:
June 3 – Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane
June 4 – Stella Cole
June 6 & 7 – Wildflowers: Kurt Elling with Fred Hersch
July 12 – Billy Idol
July 14 – Squirrel Nut Zippers
July 15 – Harry Connick Jr.
July 17 & 18 – Paul Simon
July 26 – Emmylou Harris & Graham Nash
July 28 – Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band with special guest The Docksiders
July 29 – The Kody Norris Show
August 4 – Magic City Hippies
August 8 – Chance the Rapper
August 11 – Brian McKnight & Gladys Knight
August 12 – Joe Bonamassa
August 15 – moe. and Umphrey’s McGee on the moe.mentUM Tour
August 20 – Ricky Martin
August 21 – Alabama Shakes with special guest Liam Kazar
August 22 – Bonnie Raitt
August 25 – Deep Purple with special guest Kansas
August 26 – Brandi Carlile
August 27 – Kool & The Gang with special guest Morris Day & The Time and ConFunkShun
August 28 – Alabama
August 29 – Ray LaMontagne (Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour) with special guest The Weather Station
August 30 – Miranda Lambert
September 5 – Rod Stewart with special guest Richard Marx
September 6 – Squeeze with special guest Adam Ant
September 12 – Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas (Arcadia Tour) with special guest Theo Lawrence
September 13 – 10th Fiesta Ravinia: Los Tigres del Norte
September 17 – Ziggy Marley and Thievery Corporation
September 18 – Tom Jones
September 19 – Martina McBride
For the full line-up and to buy tickets, click here.