The 2023 Season
Ravinia has a robust lineup of more than 100 events ranging from jazz, country, and hip-hop, to rock, pop, family shows, and classical, featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in residence. All four stages are set for both the intimacy of solo piano or chamber music and the sensory spectacle of opera or film with live music, as well as our annual celebration of Mexican music and culture—from June 6 to September 10, a summer with something for everyone!
2023 Concert Highlights
Family and Film
Ravinia presents a variety of family-friendly concerts during the summer, including a weekend series featuring artists and performances for audiences of all ages. This year’s lineup includes perennial favorite Laurie Berkner and the returns of Ralph’s World and Opera for the Young. The Disney hit Encanto comes to the big screens around the park for Chicagoland’s first showing with a live orchestra, and Jurassic Park marks its 30th anniversary with Chicago Philharmonic playing the iconic music live with the film.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Each summer, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra headlines six weeks of music that stirs emotions whether up close in the Pavilion or relaxed across the Lawn. Ravinia Chief Conductor Marin Alsop leads three weeks of programs with guests ranging from Tony and Grammy winner Heather Headley to swift new star pianist Yunchan Lim, as well as the can’t-miss drama of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and a specially expanded presentation of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Several guest conductors and soloists also join the orchestra onstage throughout the summer, including Mei-Ann Chen with pianist Jeremy Denk, Alsop’s Baltimore successor Jonathon Heyward, and siblings Joshua and Alisa Weilerstein. Grammy winner Rufus Wainwright returns to celebrate his Want albums, and Tony-winning orchestrator Ted Sperling salutes the music of iconic singer-songwriters Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Carly Simon.
Second Annual Breaking Barriers Festival
Building on last summer’s successful inaugural events, 2023’s Breaking Barriers Festival celebrates women composers—classical and jazz artists as well as singer-songwriters—who are featured throughout the season.
Surrounding the three evening concerts this weekend are panel roundtables, a composer workshop, and more events presented in collaboration with New Music USA and The Chicago Network. Alongside Marin Alsop, the guest leaders include former London Southbank Centre artistic director Jude Kelly, who founded and heads the WOW Foundation, as well as Chicago-based composers and some of the weekend’s featured artists.
2023 Park Details
Skip the Pump / Easy Parking
Skip the car and take the FREE train to Ravinia's front gates! Ravinia Festival extends its collaboration with Metra through the 2023 summer season. Under this partnership, all trains on the Union Pacific North Line will honor Ravinia tickets as train fares; patrons can show their dated concert ticket for a free train ride to and from the park on the day of the event.
Carousel Stage
Our newest venue, the outdoor Carousel stage will return with expanded offerings of casual concerts and opening acts on the North Lawn. View the complete offerings.
Discover Reserved Lawn
Back by popular demand! Prime Lawn seating for groups of 2, 4, or 6 people just outside the Pavilion is available in a freshly redesigned and resized space this summer. Thanks to insightful audience feedback from the past two years, the highly sought-after Premium Lawn Block experience has evolved to provide a greater range of premium views of the immersive video screen that faces the South Lawn throughout the summer season.
Dining
As always, patrons can bring picnics or choose from a selection of in-park dining options this summer.
New this year: The Ravinia Cafe, located at the main entrance of the Dining Pavilion, is open on all concert nights, offering chilled food and drinks, specialty coffees, and ice cream.
The Ravinia Market will be open with an expanded carry-out menu. Mobile carts throughout the park provide a variety of seasonal options, including beverage carts with a selection of premium ready-to-drink cocktails, spiked seltzers, wine, and craft beers, as well as snack carts featuring many guest-favorite items, including Ravinia’s signature ice cream.
Indoor and outdoor dining options will be available at the Park View, Tree Top, and Lawn Bar restaurants in the Dining Pavilion, as well as at the Freehling Room for eligible Ravinia donors. Each restaurant has a covered outdoor patio for open-air service, and reservations are strongly recommended.
The Ravinia Music Box
From park opening through intermission on every Pavilion concert night, an immersive encounter with music’s history and inspirational power awaits at the The Ravinia Music Box. In the wraparound holographic theater, surreal visuals and special guests combine in Bernstein’s Answer to share how Leonard Bernstein used his music to confront big questions about the world around him. But before Bernstein became “Big Stuff,” that was the bluesy song he wrote in admiration of Billie Holiday, who the focus turns to in the exhibition gallery.
Billie Holiday at Sugar Hill: Photographs by Jerry Dantzic is a vivid photographic portrait of the consummate jazz and blues singer in April 1957 at a significant moment in her life, just two years before her death at the age of 44. Beautifully captured through the lens of Jerry Dantzic, the exhibition provides a rare glimpse into Holiday’s public and private life through pigment prints, curated panels, ephemera, projected video, and vinyl excerpts from the work of renowned writer and author Zadie Smith.
Get early access and discounts while supporting music education!
Ravinia is a not-for-profit music festival with year-round music education and engagement programs that reach and spark the imaginations of 75,000 children and their family members across Chicagoland. Among the many benefits of supporting Ravinia’s mission, donors receive early park entry to performances, free tickets to classical concerts and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Supporters receive early access to tickets and other benefits. Learn more about becoming a donor.
You may also donate now, or call our Development Department at 847-266-5461.
Need more info? Read our most frequently asked donor questions.
There are no current state or local mandates in place for outdoor venues, and proof of vaccination will not be required for entry. However, guests are encouraged to mask and distance to their own comfort level. Complimentary masks will be available at all ticket gates, the box office at the grand entrance, and the information booth. Digital ticketing for touchless entry, as well as touchless payment and restroom fixtures, continue to be available. Ravinia’s policies will be kept up-to-date with any issued by the State of Illinois or local government.
Please be advised that guests using the Metra train or the Pace park-and-ride bus program are welcome but not required to wear masks while in transit.
