Frank Rondel
Ravinia Music Festival has officially announced its complete lineup for the 2026 season, featuring an array of internationally acclaimed performers, reports customreceipt.com via ABC7. The schedule highlights legendary artists including Paul Simon, Gladys Knight, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Jacob Collier, Hugh Jackman, Rod Stewart, Kool & The Gang, Chance the Rapper, Ricky Martin, Alabama Shakes, and Ray LaMontagne. Additionally, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will commemorate its 90th anniversary with a full summer residency at Ravinia, promising a season rich in orchestral, jazz, pop, rock, and family-focused performances.
Ravinia’s newly inaugurated Hunter Pavilion will serve as the centerpiece of the season. “The grand opening of the Hunter Pavilion marks a historic milestone for Ravinia,” said President and CEO Jeffrey P. Haydon. “This state-of-the-art venue will host debut performances from artists including conductor Klaus Mäkelä, Ricky Martin, Miranda Lambert, Alabama Shakes, and Rod Stewart. Its advanced acoustics and production capabilities are attracting world-class talent eager to perform in a setting that elevates the experience for both performers and audiences.” Tickets for the season go on sale at Ravinia.org on Thursday, April 23.
The 2026 program spans multiple venues, including the Martin Theatre (MT), Bennett Gordon Hall (BGH), Sandra K. Crown Theater (SKC), and Carousel Stage (CSL). Family-oriented concerts feature Laurie Berkner (Aug. 1), Black Moon Trio’s “The Great Lakes” (Aug. 8), Okee Dokee Brothers (Aug. 15), Divi Roxx Kids (Aug. 22), Grease Sing-Along (Aug. 23), and JAM Orchestra’s Dr. Seuss Goes to the Opera (Aug. 29). Jazz and blues enthusiasts can attend performances by Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane (June 3), Stella Cole (June 4), Kurt Elling with Fred Hersch (June 6–7), Squirrel Nut Zippers (July 14), Harry Connick Jr. (July 15), and Joe Bonamassa (Aug. 12).
Pop, hip-hop, rap, Latin, and reggae acts include Billy Idol (July 12), Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band with special guest The Docksiders (July 28), Magic City Hippies (Aug. 4), Chance the Rapper (Aug. 8), Brian McKnight & Gladys Knight (Aug. 11), Ricky Martin (Aug. 20), Kool & The Gang with special guests Morris Day & The Time and ConFunkShun (Aug. 27), Rod Stewart with Richard Marx (Sept. 5), Los Tigres del Norte at the 10th Fiesta Ravinia (Sept. 13), Ziggy Marley and Thievery Corporation (Sept. 17), and Tom Jones (Sept. 18).
Rock, indie, country, and folk highlights include Paul Simon (July 17–18), Emmylou Harris & Graham Nash (July 26), The Kody Norris Show (July 29), moe.* and Umphrey’s McGee (Aug. 15), Alabama Shakes with Liam Kazar (Aug. 21), Bonnie Raitt (Aug. 22), Deep Purple with Kansas (Aug. 25), Brandi Carlile (Aug. 26), Alabama (Aug. 28), Ray LaMontagne with The Weather Station (Aug. 29), Miranda Lambert (Aug. 30), Squeeze with Adam Ant (Sept. 6), Alison Krauss & Union Station with Jerry Douglas and Theo Lawrence (Sept. 12), and Martina McBride (Sept. 19).
The CSO’s summer residency, running July 11 through August 16, will feature performances led by Marin Alsop, James Conlon, Klaus Mäkelä, and guest conductors. Highlights include Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major with Yunchan Lim, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with María Dueñas, Mahler’s Sixth Symphony, Laura Karpman’s original orchestral compositions, St. Vincent with orchestrator Jules Buckley, Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony paired with Carlos Simon’s Good News Mass, Emanuel Ax’s celebration of his 50th CSO season, and performances curated by Ted Sperling encompassing two centuries of American popular music. The residency concludes with an all-Tchaikovsky evening, featuring the 1812 Overture, Romeo & Juliet theme, and Eugene Onegin Polonaise.
Additional recitals, chamber music, and guest orchestra appearances include Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk (June 5), Alisa Weilerstein and Inon Barnatan (June 7), Augustin Hadelich (July 22), Chanticleer (July 26), Black Moon Trio’s Lakenotes (Aug. 2), Danish String Quartet (Aug. 5), Misha Dichter (Aug. 9), Hugh Jackman with the Chicago Philharmonic (Aug. 9), Frederica von Stade with Susan Graham (Aug. 16), Gregory Alan Isakov with the Chicago Philharmonic (Aug. 19), Music of the Baroque and Dame Jane Glover (Sept. 3), Karen Ouzounian with the Silkroad Ensemble (Sept. 5), Olga Kern (Sept. 6), and Jacob Collier (Sept. 23). The 2026 season promises an immersive experience across genres, combining world-class music, theater, and educational initiatives.
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