Ravinia Festival outdoor music venue, Highland Park
post updated July 18, 2026
Ravinia Festival To Begin A New Era On July 11 With Unveiling Of The Completed Hunter Pavilion
Redesigned and Renovated Pavilion to Open with Chicago Symphony Orchestra Gala Concert Led by Marin Alsop, Featuring Yunchan Lim and Lizzo
North America’s Longest-Running Outdoor Music Festival Reaches Milestone in Its “Setting the Stages” Fundraising Campaign
Highland Park, IL, July, 2026 – Celebrating the completion of two seasons of redesign and construction on the Hunter Pavilion, the Ravinia Festival will unveil this transformed centerpiece of the campus at an inaugural concert on July 11, 2026. As the Pavilion opens, Ravinia also celebrates reaching the $75 million mark in the “Setting the Stages” campaign for the multiyear renewal of its historic 36-acre park and performance venues. Inaugurated with a major gift from the Hunter Family Foundation, the campaign reached the $75 million milestone thanks to a second gift from the Foundation, which enables Ravinia to open the Pavilion debt-free.
The grand opening begins a new chapter for North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival, bringing together state-of-the-art production and acoustical capabilities with a renewed commitment to preserving Ravinia’s historic character and unique relationship to landscape and live music. The Pavilion will be officially inaugurated with a gala concert featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by Ravinia Chief Conductor Marin Alsop, with pianist Yunchan Lim performing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major and a special appearance by Lizzo on flute.
“Ravinia’s historic pavilion transformation was inspired by a family’s love, from their children and grandchildren wanting to honor their parents and grandparents, Maxine and Thomas B. Hunter III. We are excited to welcome artists and audiences to the state-of-the-art Hunter Pavilion,” says Jeffrey P. Haydon, Ravinia President & CEO. “Together with The Negaunee Foundation Artist Center, which brings our backstage to world-class standards, Ravinia will continue to present a range of performances that will inspire generations to come.”
“It is truly an honor to bookend this historic project for Ravinia, from brainstorming conversations and our initial gift to the final pledge to help hit the $75 million goal,” says Bill Hunter, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Hunter Family Foundation. “We’ll cherish seeing our parents’ and grandparents’ love of this special gathering place live on in an updated space that will welcome generations of families, guests, and artists, a gift born out of our family’s enduring commitment to this community.”
The Pavilion renovation is the largest phase of a campus-wide transformation that will continue in the coming years. The campaign’s fundraising target has been achieved through the support of donors, including the Hunter Family Foundation, The Negaunee Foundation, The Edwardson Family Foundation, Audrey L. Weaver, Elizabeth Crown & Bill Wallace, the Eleven Eleven Foundation / Jim & Wendy Abrams, ITW / Mr. and Mrs. E. Scott Santi, Anne & Rob Krebs / Ravinia Centennial Fund, LeAnn Pedersen Pope & Clyde Smith McGregor, and numerous individual supporters.
Designed by Chicago-based Lohan Architecture under the guidance of Principal Architect Michael Barnes, the Pavilion retains its iconic roofline while dramatically enhancing the experience for audiences and performers alike. New design features include the deeper Negaunee Stage with a new acoustic shell by Wenger Corporation; a state-of-the-art audio system; enhanced theatrical and architectural lighting; modernized production booths; a dedicated video production room; and upgraded audience seating with significantly improved accessibility.
The redesign also introduces architectural details that connect the Pavilion to Ravinia’s history and landscape, including warm wood elements and geometric motifs inspired by the historic Martin Theatre windows. Throughout the project, the design team sought to preserve the Pavilion’s openness to the surrounding park while creating a more immersive and flexible performance environment capable of supporting everything from orchestral concerts to major contemporary touring productions.
Back-of-house facilities have been comprehensively renovated through the creation of The Negaunee Foundation Artist Center, which includes new dressing rooms and artist areas, expanded warm-up and rehearsal spaces, renovated production offices, enhanced broadcast capabilities, and improved loading and operational infrastructure.
The July 11 opening concert launches the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 90th summer residency at Ravinia and anchors a season that celebrates Ravinia’s enduring role as one of the country’s most distinctive cultural destinations. Additional artists featured throughout the summer include Paul Simon, Brandi Carlile, Snoop Dogg, Gladys Knight, Ricky Martin, Hugh Jackman, Miranda Lambert, Alabama Shakes, Chance the Rapper, Bonnie Raitt, Kool & The Gang, Rod Stewart, and Ziggy Marley.
Future projects in the next phase of renovation will include continued enhancements to the Martin Theatre and Bennett Gordon Hall, as well as additional outdoor performance spaces, as Ravinia advances toward its 125th anniversary celebrations in 2029.
ABOUT RAVINIA
Ravinia believes in the power of shared, live-music moments to inspire ourselves, our communities, and the world. Ravinia’s historic 36-acre park is home to North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival and serves as an enchanting place to experience concerts throughout the summer. With a foundational focus on classical music, featuring the long-standing annual summer residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia is one of the most artistically diverse music festivals in the world, spotlighting renowned rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country artists across the concert schedule.
A not-for-profit organization, Ravinia also enriches lives through professional music performance training in the Steans Institute as well as through youth and adult educational programs and community engagement with Reach Teach Play. Ravinia’s initiatives and programming create memorable experiences that connect people, foster curiosity, and ensure that the joy of live music is accessible to all.
Ravinia is located about 20 miles north of Chicago in Highland Park, IL. Bordered by Green Bay and Lake Cook Roads, Ravinia has the only private train platform in Illinois, with Metra’s Union Pacific North Line stopping at the Grand Entrance during the summer.
SPONSORS
Ravinia Festival is a not-for-profit cultural institution that relies on support from individual donors, foundations, and corporations. Among the many benefits of supporting Ravinia’s mission, donors receive early access to tickets.
Ravinia is grateful to welcome back Allstate for a 12th year as its Lead Reach Teach Play Sponsor.
Premier Sponsors:BMO; Audi USA; Paul M. Angell Foundation; In Honor of Sandra K. Crown; Elizabeth Crown and Bill Wallace, in loving memory of Catherine Crown Sanders; The Dancing Skies Foundation; Discover by Capital One; Fifth Third Bank; Forsythe Family Foundation; The Grainger Foundation; Tera and Richard McBlaine; Midtown Athletic Clubs; The Negaunee Foundation; The Sedge and Henry Plitt Charitable Trusts; Ravinia Women’s Board; Sage Foundation; Audrey L. Weaver; Wintrust
Mainstage Sponsors:Abbott; acceligence; In Memory of Keene H. Addington II; Megan P. and John L. Anderson; Baird; In Memory of Charles and Margery Barancik; Ellen Rudnick and Paul Earle; ITW; Katten; McKinsey & Company; Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; Northern Trust; PNC Bank; Terlato Wines
Spotlight Sponsors:AbbVie; Baxter International Inc.; Martin and Mary L. Boyer Foundation; Casa Famosa; The Coca-Cola Company; Missy and Bruce Ettelson; Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.; Julius N. Frankel Foundation; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Dottie B.B. and Jason Gordon; Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Hunter Family Foundation; Illinois Arts Council; JPMorganChase; Latham & Watkins LLP; Pamela J. Mayo; The Susan Nicholas Fasciano Family Foundation; Perkins Coie LLP; Polk Bros. Foundation; Reed Smith LLP; Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling; Sidley Austin LLP; Stepan Company; Testa Produce; In Honor of Nancy Zadek from Craig and Linda Umans; Lynne & David B. Weinberg; White Claw
Sponsors:Anonymous; Mary Phillips Ainsley; Judy & Merrill Blau; Sarah & Larry Barden; Jane & David Casper; Don & Susan Civgin; Winnie & Bob Crawford; Bobbie & Charlie Denison; Jeanne & Tom Denison; Jack & Donna Greenberg; Ms. Barbara G. Greis; Hannah & Brett Harrison; Jeff & Kathryn Haydon; Betsy & Arthur Holden; Ms. Kathryn D. Ingraham & Mr. James Jacobson; Mr. & Mrs. Darryl Jacobs; Mr. & Mrs. David R. Kahnweiler; Chris & Elise Klein; Martina Keller & Don McLellan; Craig J. Lancaster & Charlene T. Handler; Ms. Mary Beth McAvoy & Ms. Donna Tickman; Daniela O’Leary-Gill & George Gill; Mr. & Mrs. Michael Paleczny; Ravinia Associates Board; The Reid-Anderson Family; Gloria & Dan Reisner; Judy & David Schiffman; Richard & Leslie Sevcik; Stuart Sondheimer & Bonnie Lucas; Stillman Family Foundation; Pamela B. & Russ M. Strobel; Paul & Mary Yovovich
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Previously on e-architect:
February 14, 2025
Renewal Architect: Lohan Architecture
Location: Ravinia Festival outdoor music venue in Highland Park, Illinois – north of Chicago, USA
Ravinia Unveils Plans for a Sweeping $75 Million Campus Renovation for North America’s Longest-Running Outdoor Music Festival
Project to Preserve Ravinia’s Historic 36-Acre Park While Improving All Facilities Is Underway with a Two-Year Transformation of the Pavilion.
Photos: Patrick Gipson/Ravinia
Ravinia Festival outdoor music venue, Highland Park, Illinois, USA
HIGHLAND PARK, IL, Feb. 13, 2025 — Jeffrey P. Haydon, President and CEO of Ravinia, and Christopher J. Klein, Ravinia Board Chair, today announced that North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival has begun a sweeping, multiyear renovation of its 36-acre park and venues just north of Chicago. Beloved, iconic features of Ravinia, from the early-20th-century Prairie School architecture to the manicured lawn, will be meticulously preserved for future generations, while a comprehensive upgrade elevates all venues and amenities to state-of-the-art standards for Ravinia’s 400,000 annual guests and more than 100 concerts each year.
Supported by a $75 million “Setting the Stages” campaign, the project begins with a complete renovation of the Pavilion, Ravinia’s largest venue. The signature roof will remain intact while the Pavilion receives a new stage, seating, and lighting, as well as enhanced acoustics and more robust production capabilities. Construction is in two distinct phases; infrastructure improvements are already underway and are expected to be finished before summer 2025, so that Ravinia can present its 2025 season from June 6 to August 31, before work resumes in the fall. The second phase will be completed for the opening of Ravinia’s following season in July 2026.
Upon completion in 2026, the transformed venue will be renamed the Hunter Pavilion, honoring Maxine and Thomas B. Hunter III, in recognition of a leadership gift of $10 million from the Hunter Family Foundation. The thoroughly renovated and redesigned back-of-house areas serving Ravinia’s artists will be named The Negaunee Foundation Artist Center in recognition of a major gift of $21 million from The Negaunee Foundation.
“Ravinia has always been a cherished part of my family’s story,” said Bill Hunter of the Hunter Family Foundation. “Growing up, we often went there with my parents, Maxine and Thomas, my grandmother, and our extended family, sharing picnics under the canopy of trees, surrounded by beautiful music and nature. For us, Ravinia represents the perfect intersection of music, art, and nature—a place to relax, be inspired, and build community. This gift is about ensuring that future generations can enjoy that same magic.”
Lohan Architecture, the Chicago-based firm that succeeded Mies Van der Rohe’s studio, is designing the Pavilion’s renovation. All other areas of the campus—ultimately including the Sandra K. Crown Theater, historic Martin Theatre, Bennett Gordon Hall, and the outdoor Carousel—are expected to be renewed and enhanced successively until the 2029 season, when Ravinia will celebrate its 125th anniversary.
Jeffrey P. Haydon said, “For more than a century, Ravinia has been a cherished destination for generations of artists and audiences from our region and around the world. For many, the Pavilion is their first introduction to Ravinia, and it hosts a wide range of events, from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s annual residency and shows by legendary pop and jazz artists to performances by our Reach Teach Play students and alumni of our Steans Institute, who return as today’s stars. Renovation of the Pavilion is essential to securing Ravinia’s future and is the first of many exciting changes to come in the park. Our goal is to make every part of Ravinia more welcoming, comfortable, and exciting, while keeping us at the forefront of artistic presentation and programming for generations to come.”
Christopher J. Klein said, “As we embark on this exciting renewal of one of America’s great cultural treasures, I’m deeply grateful to the Hunter Family Foundation, The Negaunee Foundation, and those early donors of the ‘Setting the Stages’ campaign for demonstrating such incredible support for Ravinia. With over $50 million raised to date, we’re creating a Ravinia that honors our past while enhancing the Ravinia experience. The renovation of the Pavilion will be a true awakening, creating a vibrant, fresh space that feels completely transformed. Longtime patrons will experience a sense of renewal as this venue brings new energy and excitement to every performance. I can’t wait for that first performance, when we all walk in and feel the buzz, knowing we’re part of something truly special.”
Marin Alsop, Ravinia Festival Chief Conductor, said, “Ravinia is a truly special place for all of us. It is a privilege to make music at the highest level in such a gorgeous, nature-filled setting. When it came to redesigning the Pavilion, a few Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians and I shared ideas to improve acoustics and deepen the connection between performers and the audience, all while preserving the charm and history that make Ravinia unique. It’s exciting to see how these improvements will elevate the experience for everyone.”
Elements of the renovations of the Hunter Pavilion will greatly enhance the production and presentation capabilities of the venue, including a deeper stage; a new acoustic shell for orchestral performances; a state-of-the-art audio system; a robust show lighting system, along with new lighting throughout the Pavilion; modernized production booths; and a modern video production room as well as new audience seating with increased accessibility.
The Negaunee Foundation Artist Center will include improvements to the back-of-house with a more welcoming artists’ entrance; updated dressing rooms and artist areas; three new warm-up rooms for musicians; a warm-up room wired to double as a media production studio to support radio and TV broadcasts; renovated offices for the production department and stagehands; and an expanded loading area for more efficient show management.
Future phases of renovation will include construction of a new concert stage for the Sandra K. Crown Theater; structural restoration and enhanced production capabilities of the historic Martin Theatre, the only original structure at Ravinia, dating back to the opening in 1904; a new outdoor performance stage to replace the modified Carousel Stage; and a thorough updating of the production, aesthetics, and audience areas of Bennett Gordon Hall.
Michael C. Barnes, Principal Architect of Lohan Architecture, said, “The design of the Pavilion renovation is an endeavor of both continuity and transformation undertaken while introducing extensive needed updates. By honoring the architectural legacy of Ravinia’s past while embracing the present, we’ve developed a holistic design that speaks to the history of the park and its evolving story while providing an enriched and inspiring experience for performers and audiences alike. The introduction of wood, a material deeply rooted in Ravinia’s early construction, along with new geometric patterns inspired by the iconic Martin Theatre windows connects the Pavilion to both its natural setting and the broader architectural history of the festival grounds.
Music stirs passion, evokes memories, and creates lasting connections. So being part of this project, in a place where people gather to create new memories or relive cherished ones through music, is a privilege that makes the Pavilion renovation a truly special project.”
Ravinia will announce its 2025 season, running from June 6 to August 31, on March 13.
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About RaviniaⓇ
Ravinia believes in the power of shared, live-music moments to inspire ourselves and the world. Beyond presenting outstanding performances by the world’s greatest musicians, the nonprofit’s mission is to enrich lives through the transformative power of music. From exceptional performances and professional training in the Steans Institute to educational programs and community engagement through Reach Teach Play, Ravinia strives to create memorable experiences that connect people, foster curiosity, and ensure that the joy of live music is accessible to all.
The 36-acre park is home to North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival and serves as an enchanting place to experience concerts throughout the summer. Performances range across classical, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country genres and include the annual summer residency of one of the world’s finest orchestras: the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The festival is located about 20 miles north of Chicago at Green Bay and Lake Cook Roads in Highland Park.
Photography Credit: Patrick Gipson/Ravinia
Ravinia Festival outdoor music venue, Highland Park, Illinois building images / information received 140225
Location: Ravinia Festival outdoor music venue, Highland Park, Illinois, United States of America.
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