When do Ravinia tickets go on sale? What to know about the 2026 season

HIGHLAND PARK - Over the past century, Ravinia has become a summer tradition for music lovers – and this year, it's back with a fresh season of concerts and the debut of the new Hunter Pavilion. 

The backstory:

Founded in 1904, Ravinia has grown from a small outdoor performance space into one of the country's most beloved music destinations. 

Over the years, its stage has welcomed legendary composers, orchestras and some of the biggest names in rock, jazz, folk, blues and soul.

Ravinia Festival celebrates over a century of musical excellence

Concert season is almost here and we have a exclusive sneak peak of Ravinia's jam-packed summer schedule.

What we know:

Organizers have already confirmed several headliners for the upcoming summer season. Performers include: 

• Paul Simon – July 17 and 18
• Joe Bonamassa – Aug. 12
• Bonnie Raitt – Aug. 22
• Ray LaMontagne – Aug. 29
• Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas – Sept. 22

More performances are expected to be revealed when the full summer schedule is announced Thursday, March 12. 

What's next:

Concerts will go on sale to the general public Thursday, April 23. Supporters of Ravinia and its nonprofit programs will receive early access through donor presales beginning Tuesday, March 17. 

Ravinia Festival begins $75M renovation to preserve a Chicago icon

At 121 years old, the Ravinia Festival is getting a major upgrade. President and CEO Jeff Haydon joins "ChicagoLIVE" to share details on the $75 million renovation of Ravinia’s historic Pavilion — from new acoustics and lighting to modernized dressing rooms and sound systems.

The upcoming season will also mark the first full summer of concerts at the new Hunter Pavilion, with shows scheduled from early July through late September, along with a limited indoor concert series during the first week of June. 

Organizers say additional artists and programming details will be released at Ravinia.org.