Ravinia Festival
Historic outdoor music venue hosting symphony, jazz, folk, rock, and opera with a beloved picnic tradition.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Perfect for outdoor concerts
Ravinia Festival
Best Time
Perfect for outdoor concerts
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Historic outdoor music venue hosting symphony, jazz, folk, rock, and opera with a beloved picnic tradition.
"A sophisticated European-inspired open-air festival with world-class music and a cherished picnic culture."
🚗 Parking & Traffic Woes
Expect traffic and full lots. Arrive VERY early or take the Metra train for a smoother experience.
🧺 Picnic Perfection
Bring your own food & drinks! Lawn seating is ideal for a picnic feast.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Lawn Experience
General admission lawn area
Spread out a blanket, enjoy a picnic, and soak in the music under the stars. A quintessential Ravinia experience.
Pavilion Seating
Covered seating area
Enjoy a more intimate concert experience with excellent acoustics and a direct view of the stage.
Rooftop Bar
Rooftop bar area
Sip cocktails with a view before or after the show. A perfect spot for a date night or pre-concert vibes.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds & Traffic
+1Picnic Paradise
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking & Traffic Woes
Expect traffic and full lots. Arrive VERY early or take the Metra train for a smoother experience.
🧺 Picnic Perfection
Bring your own food & drinks! Lawn seating is ideal for a picnic feast.
🚆 Metra Train Advantage
Ride Metra for free with your ticket! It's convenient and avoids parking hassles.
🪑 Lawn vs. Pavilion
Lawn offers picnic freedom, pavilion offers guaranteed seating & acoustics.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking & Traffic Woes
Expect traffic and full lots. Arrive VERY early or take the Metra train for a smoother experience.
🧺 Picnic Perfection
Bring your own food & drinks! Lawn seating is ideal for a picnic feast.
🚆 Metra Train Advantage
Ride Metra for free with your ticket! It's convenient and avoids parking hassles.
🪑 Lawn vs. Pavilion
Lawn offers picnic freedom, pavilion offers guaranteed seating & acoustics.
⏰ Arrive Early
Secure a good lawn spot and beat the rush. Some arrive hours before.
🎶 Diverse Music Lineup
From classical to rock, Ravinia hosts a wide range of genres. Check the schedule!
🥂 Drinks & Dining
BYOB is allowed, or purchase from vendors. Rooftop bar is a plus!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Ravinia Festival is lauded for its beautiful park setting and diverse musical offerings, from classical to rock. The ability to picnic on the lawn is a major highlight, creating a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere. However, attendees frequently cite significant challenges with traffic and parking, which can detract from the overall experience.
"I’ve been to Ravinia in Highland Park a few times now, mostly for the classical and jazz performances. It’s a fantastic venue rain or shine, with a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. The overall ambience feels more like a sophisticated European open-air festival than a typical raucous outdoor concert."
Satyaki “Seth” Mitra
"Amazing concerts but traffic and parking are a nightmare. Lawn is also extremely overcrowded and you will not see the stage. Lawn is great to picnic and hear music on speakers. Plan to leave about 3 hours early to park in the general parking lot and get a good lawn seat for general admission. Left an hour and a half early for a popular show and ended up sitting in traffic for an hour on Lake Cook to get to Green Bay. By then the general parking lot was full and we were redirected to downtown Highland Park to park in a garage near the train station and wait in a huge line for the shuttle to the venue. By the time we got there, there was barely any space on the lawn left. Beautiful grounds. If you have pavilion tickets it’s amazing. Wish the traffic and parking was handled better."
Amanda Byron
"Great concert venue. After many years I returned with family to see John Legend in the lawn. We arrived early and got great seats in front of a large screen. We were well prepared and camped out for hours. Took advantage of the free Metra train ride there and back with our wagons. The train ride on the way home was a party train. We had fun from our tranquil ride there to our rowdy ride back to our car. Don't know why I waited so long to come back here!"
Rey Colón
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can drive and park, but be prepared for potential traffic and parking challenges. Many visitors opt for the Metra train on the UP-N line from Ogilvie Transportation Center directly to Ravinia. Your Ravinia ticket often grants you free Metra rides to and from the venue, making it a convenient and cost-effective option.
Yes, parking is available, but it can be a 'nightmare' with long waits, especially after popular shows. It's recommended to arrive very early if you plan to drive, or consider alternative transportation like the Metra train.
Absolutely! The Metra UP-N line is a highly recommended way to reach Ravinia Festival. Show your Ravinia ticket for a free ride.
Taking the Metra train is the best way to avoid traffic.
Yes, Ravinia Park has its own Metra station on the UP-N line, making it easily accessible by train.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ravinia tickets can be purchased through their official website, at the box office, or via authorized third-party sellers. It's advisable to check the official Ravinia schedule for the most up-to-date ticket information.
Yes, Ravinia offers affordable $15 lawn tickets for most Chicago Symphony Orchestra performances, making it accessible for budget-conscious attendees.
The park typically opens a few hours before the concert begins, allowing ample time for picnics and enjoying the grounds. Check the specific event's schedule for exact gate opening times.
Yes, Ravinia is very picnic-friendly! You can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy on the lawn.
Alcoholic beverages are permitted at Ravinia, but there may be specific guidelines regarding types and quantities. It's best to check their official policy before your visit.
🎫 🎶 Onsite Experience
Lawn seating is general admission, allowing you to bring blankets and set up your own picnic space. Pavilion seating offers reserved, covered seats with a direct view of the stage.
From the lawn, you can see the stage on large screens, especially if you arrive early to secure a good spot. However, the primary experience on the lawn is enjoying the music and atmosphere with a picnic.
Ravinia offers a variety of food and drink options for purchase from different vendors. You can also bring your own picnic to enjoy.
Absolutely! Ravinia is considered a 'cute date night idea' with its beautiful park setting, live music, and options like the rooftop bar. +1
Ravinia offers a relaxed yet refined atmosphere, often described as more sophisticated than a typical outdoor concert venue. It's a great place for families and individuals alike.
📸 📸 Photography
Generally, personal photography for non-commercial use is allowed, but professional photography equipment or flash photography might be restricted. Always check the specific event's policy.
The park itself is quite scenic, with lush greenery and the iconic pavilion. The rooftop bar also offers nice views.
Drones are typically not permitted at outdoor venues like Ravinia for safety and privacy reasons. It's best to assume they are not allowed unless explicitly stated otherwise.
You can capture the vibrant atmosphere of live performances, happy concert-goers enjoying picnics, and the beautiful park grounds.
From the lawn, it can be challenging to get close-up shots of the performers due to the distance. However, you can capture the overall concert experience and the crowd.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
For specific family-friendly events, like movie sing-alongs or performances geared towards younger audiences, Ravinia is an excellent choice.
+1💰 Budget Travelers
Bringing your own picnic and drinks significantly cuts down on food costs, making it a budget-friendly outing. Opting for the Metra train instead of driving can also save money on gas and parking fees.
+1 By planning ahead and focusing on the lawn experience with a homemade picnic, Ravinia becomes an accessible and enjoyable option for budget-conscious travelers looking for a high-quality musical experience. 💖 Couples & Date Nights
Consider booking pavilion seats for a more intimate setting, or find a cozy spot on the lawn for a relaxed evening. The rooftop bar is also a great spot for pre-concert drinks and conversation, adding a touch of sophistication to your date.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Ravinia Experience: More Than Just Music
Beyond the main stage, the park itself is a beautiful setting for an evening out. Visitors often describe the ambiance as sophisticated and European-inspired, a far cry from a typical raucous concert venue. The flexibility to bring your own food and drinks is a cornerstone of the Ravinia experience. Many attendees create elaborate picnics, turning their lawn spot into a dining destination with charcuterie boards, pasta, and salads.
From classical music performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to renowned jazz, folk, and rock artists, Ravinia's diverse schedule caters to a wide range of musical tastes.
+2 This variety, combined with the beautiful park setting and the freedom to picnic, makes Ravinia a cherished summer tradition for many. Navigating Ravinia: Parking, Metra, and Getting Around
The Metra train, specifically the UP-N line, is consistently praised as the most convenient and stress-free way to reach Ravinia.
+1 Many visitors report that showing their Ravinia ticket grants them free passage on the train, making it an economical choice. The train ride itself can be part of the fun, with some describing the journey home as a 'party train.' Once inside the park, Ravinia is generally well-organized. For those with mobility concerns, wheelchair services are available to assist guests from the entrance to their seating area and back to the parking lot.
+1The Culinary Canvas: Picnics and Dining at Ravinia
For those who prefer to dine on-site, Ravinia offers a selection of food and beverage vendors catering to various tastes.
The combination of bringing your own feast or exploring vendor offerings, coupled with the beautiful outdoor setting, makes dining at Ravinia a highlight for many. It’s an opportunity to relax, socialize, and enjoy delicious food in a picturesque environment before the main event.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit