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Ravinia Music Festival officially unveiled its 2026 season today, March 12, revealing a massive lineup with 90+ concerts from June through September in Highland Park, Illinois. Iconic artist debuts including Paul Simon, Ricky Martin, and Gladys Knight headline the ambitious season, with performances spanning pop, rock, jazz, classical, and Latin music across multiple venues.
🔥 Quick Facts
- 90+ Concerts: More than 90 performances across 15 genres June-September 2026.
- 50+ Artist Debuts: Including Ricky Martin, Hugh Jackman, Lizzo, Labrinth, Miranda Lambert, and Alabama Shakes.
- Hunter Pavilion Opening: State-of-the-art new venue opens July 11 with CSO opening concert.
- Tickets on Sale: April 23, 2026 at Ravinia.org with numerous genre categories and venues.
Historic Season Celebrates CSO 90th Anniversary
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra marks its 90th summer residency at Ravinia with a six-week residency from July 11 through August 16. This milestone season introduces the brand-new Hunter Pavilion, a state-of-the-art replacement venue with enhanced acoustics and sophisticated production capabilities.
Marin Alsop, Ravinia’s Chief Conductor, leads the opening performance featuring pianist Yunchan Lim and pop star Lizzo on flute. The CSO season includes programs by distinguished guest conductors like Klaus Mäkelä, the incoming CSO Zell Music Director, alongside tributes to legends Quincy Jones and classical masterworks by Mahler, Dvoráck, and Tchaikovsky.
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Star Power: Musical Giants Take Ravinia’s New Stage
Paul Simon headlines July 17 and 18 in two nights at the Hunter Pavilion. Ricky Martin brings his signature Latin energy on August 20, making his highly-anticipated Ravinia debut alongside 50+ other first-time performers.
Rock legends Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt, and Brandi Carlile perform in late August. Family-friendly offerings include Hugh Jackman with the Chicago Philharmonic on August 9. The season features 15 distinct musical genres, ensuring appeal across countless musical tastes and age groups.
2026 Full Season Highlights Table
| Date Range | Highlight | Artist/Event |
| June 3-July 9 | Indoor Programming | Steans Institute, Chamber Music, Jazz |
| July 11 | Hunter Pavilion Grand Opening | CSO with Yunchan Lim and Lizzo |
| July 12-Sept 6 | Outdoor Season | Billy Idol, Paul Simon, Rod Stewart |
| Aug 20 | Latin Music Highlight | Ricky Martin Ravinia Debut |
According to Jeffrey P. Haydon, President and CEO of Ravinia:
“The grand opening of the Hunter Pavilion marks a historic milestone for Ravinia. It is particularly meaningful that this state-of-the-art venue will serve as the inaugural stage for our debut artists and provide both artists and audiences an atmosphere that leaves them equally inspired.”
— Jeffrey P. Haydon, President and CEO, Ravinia Festival
Diverse Programming Across Multiple Genres and Venues
Ravinia’s 2026 lineup spans classical, jazz, blues, pop, hip-hop, Latin, rock, country, folk, and beyond. The festival operates across six distinct venues, from the intimate Martin Theatre to the spacious Hunter Pavilion.
Other notable performances include family programming with Laurie Berkner and Okee Dokee Brothers, plus jazz acts like Joe Bonamassa and Harry Connick Jr. The Steans Institute Alumni brings innovative chamber music collaborations and educational initiatives. Programming runs continuously from June 3 through September 23, 2026.
How Will This Historic Season Impact Chicago’s Music Scene?
The Hunter Pavilion renovation represents a major investment in Ravinia’s future, enhancing both audience experience and artist appeal. The venue’s enhanced acoustics and production capabilities position Ravinia as a top-tier destination for world-class talent previously hesitant to perform at outdoor venues.
Ticket sales open April 23, 2026 on Ravinia.org. The festival’s emphasis on debut artists and diverse genres signals confidence in attracting record attendance this summer. As classical institutions compete for relevance with younger audiences, Ravinia’s bold strategy of mixing Paul Simon with Lizzo and Ricky Martin with orchestral masterworks demonstrates how tradition and innovation can coexist in twenty-first-century classical music programming.
Sources
- ABC7 Chicago: Ravinia Festival 2026 schedule announcement with detailed performer list and dates.
- Chicago Tribune: 2026 season coverage featuring Hunter Pavilion opening and CSO 90th anniversary programming.
- Ravinia Festival Official: Complete event listings and box office information at Ravinia.org and official announcements.
