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Ravinia Festival
Music Venue, Park, and Concert Hall
Highland Park
"The metra gets extremely crowded by the second stop..."(5 Tips)
"... early if you have lawn seats.....even tho'you can't see the stage, the..."(4 Tips)
"lawn tickets for a show"(4 Tips)
"If you love great food and plenty of selection, eat at Mirabelles"(2 Tips)
146 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- picnics
- wine
- lawn seats
- lawn tickets
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Kristyn SmithNovember 17, 2013Get there early so you can find a spot on the lawn close to the stage if you only have lawn tickets if your tickets a pavilion ticket they open the pavilion up a hour before the show get there & stay
Cheap, beautiful and huge variety of concert choices-everything from classical to country to contemporary. If you get here on a nice day you are guaranteed to have a great experience. Train into city
Bring a small flashlight if you are in the lawn seats. So at the end of the night you can look for things you may have dropped on the lawn. It gets pretty dark by the end of the concert.
Mike WiseJuly 2, 2015Even if you have pavilion seats, picnic before the show or during the first part of a show with an intermission. It is what defines the Ravinia experience and separates it from any other venue.
- John WildesAugust 26, 2018Been here a couple times and always amazed at the organization of the parking and how they handle the crowd in and out of the park. Lots of staff friendly and smiling. Great food from the market too
Rich WigstoneMay 31, 2018For parking options don't forget to try the SpotHero app ... some local residences a block or two away will let you park in their driveway - the speed and convenience is worth the cost!
Cynthia RoblesJuly 3, 2014The best venue to see a concert. There is no limit as to what you can bring in. Bottles of beer, wine, tequila, food, coolers, tables, chairs, but keep in mind the party is on the lawn!!
Anna Salsman-XerosJuly 30, 2013Need to get to Ravinia at 5 to set up your picnic area and get a good spot! Parking is 20 dollars and it makes things so much easier when you are bringing a spread!
Bill MillerAugust 8, 2014Neat place, and bigger than I expected. I recommend arriving 3-4 hours before the event to get a great spot on the lawn. (Not kidding)
Helen ParkJuly 26, 2015This place gets pretty crowded when there's an orchestra performance in the pavilion. Get here couple of hours early if you want to get a decent seat!
- Laurie PenmanAugust 31, 2013Get there early if you have lawn seats.....even tho'you can't see the stage, the sound is awesome courtesy of the strategically placed outdoor speakers throughout. Nice venue to experience as a group
Disagree with you about remote parking, Lindsay. It takes a long time to exit the main lot. If you bust a move after the final musical number to the bus loading area, you can exit with ease.
John LawsonJuly 27, 2013Get here a little early to really enjoy your picnic! For the bigger acts best to come near or just after parking opens at 4pm. Parking in west lot is the best coming off of Xway .
They have large screens on the lawn. Before the concert starts, they use it as a live Twitter feed wall! Post your tweets, shout-outs and pics and watch it show up for all to see!
Jeff RyanAugust 24, 2014Ok venue. More about the atmosphere . There is really no view on the lawn. So if u have lawn, bring beer and food and just enjoy the music. Don't plan on seeing much ( so just people watch)
1/4 mile South of the main gate is Bob's Pantry and Deli.. Get your hand stamped for re-entry at the park. Then walk down the bicycle trail or John's Ave to 55 St. Johns Ave for forgotten food or ice.
Catherine GarciaAugust 9, 2014If you have a seat in the Pavillion area and you arrive late, the ushers absolutely won't let you in through the gates until there is a break in the music. Be prepared to wait.- L KAugust 13, 2014The ice cream is good, to the left of the pavilion. Bring a blanket or sweater, it gets chilly at night, especially on the lawn.
Kathleen NemecSeptember 14, 2011During the months of June, July, August, and September...This is the place to see your favorite artists sing, dance, see a Stephen Sondheim Muscial with Patti Lupone. Enjoy it underneath the stars!
Free Steans Music Institute concerts are wonderful. Sign up for Ravinia's email so you don't miss out!
Jeff DembinskiJuly 12, 2016Great events and concerts, meticulously clean restrooms. Friendly park staff.
This Is A Very Special Place. I Love It. I've Been Coming Here For Years.- Christopher FlossAugust 10, 2015Great performance last evening! Ravinia is an awesome place to enjoy a summer evening!
- Catherine GarciaAugust 9, 2014If you park and ride the shuttle, make sure to exit through the west gate. The line for the return shuttles begins here.
On performance night, your COLLEGE ID gets you 1 free pass for any Martin Theatre or CSO concert (excl. Gala Benefit concert). If available, COLLEGE ID get you 1 reserved seat for $10. MAIN GATE.
Mary IsomJuly 10, 2012Lovely people, anyone getting pixs of the Carlos Santana Band today, send them to @loxoflock on Twitter. WE are club members, can not get away.
Lindsey WoodyJuly 19, 2010If you don't park in Ravinia lot, you will park in DT Highland Park & take the shuttle, which means you will be waiting a while after show or walking for what seems like an eternity at end of night!
TashaAugust 27, 2012Driving is a nightmare and parking impossible, especially if there are other events going on. Cabs are great. 303 taxi and Taxi Magic app saved us!
- Casey FitzpatrickJune 23, 2012The metra gets extremely crowded by the second stop out of Chicago (ravenswood). If you have time, get on at Oglevie so you get a seat!
Gilt CityApril 28, 2011Ravinia’s Reach*Teach*Play initiative positively engage some 35,000 Chicagoans—particularly in areas that have few opportunities for arts opportunities. Get involved.
Stephen GarveySeptember 22, 2011Perfect place for an outdoor concert. So easy to get to from Chicago.- lexi hoffmanJuly 15, 2010Buy lawn tickets for a show, bring a blanket, some wine, and carry-out from your favorite local spot. Guaranteed a great time.
Emily TyndorfJune 29, 2012If u have lawn tickets and are seeing a sold out concert then get there when the doors open
Emily ParkSeptember 4, 2010Come prepared to save money - lawn chairs and/or blankets, drinks, utensils, good food, a cooler, etc. A great place to bring friends, family, and/or a date!
Kristie Van PraagJuly 7, 2013The bathrooms are extremely clean. Head to the far right for an extra hidden row of stalls!
Carol MarrSeptember 11, 2014Get there really really really early and bring a game to play while you wait
Remember no food or beverage is allowed in the pavillion; thre real action is on the lawn! Read more
Amanda O.October 4, 2014There are reentry privileges so don't feel like you have to bring everything in on one trip.
Nicole LippmanAugust 31, 2014No need to bring a thing, they can provide picnics, chairs, and whatever else you might want.- Bring a card or board game with you-it's great fun while you're waiting for the concert to start!
The coolest place to hear live music while having a Picnic.
Robert MurrayAugust 22, 2013Great place 2 c a band bring ur own drinks food whatever u want great people
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Ravinia Festival
418 Sheridan Rd (at Green Bay & Ravinia Park)
Highland Park, IL 60035
United States
Highland Park, IL 60035
United States
Ravinia, North America's oldest music festival, stands today as its most musically diverse. The summer series of over 100 concerts run the gambit from Sting to Matisyahu to the annual summer residency of the nation's finest orchestra, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Closed until 4:30 PM (Show more)
- Tue–Sun
- 4:30 PM–9:00 PM
(847) 266-5100
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Places inside Ravinia Festival
"Go to the Ravinia Gift shop. Has great posters, mugs, lawn chairs, jewelry, blankets, umbrellas, music ornaments. Its part of your Ravinia experience."
Ilana Fradkin
"A good place to grab a bite before the show. Price is about $39 per person before drinks. Not cheap, but it is a sort of upscale buffet."
Matthew Supert
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Upcoming Events
- The Allman Betts Band
7:00 PM on June 11, 2025
- James Taylor
7:00 PM on June 18, 2025
- Katharine McPhee, David Foster, and Chris Botti
7:00 PM on June 19, 2025
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