Ravinia Festival unveils its 2026 summer lineup featuring Paul Simon, Chance the Rapper, and Ricky Martin, plus over 50 debut artists and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 90th anniversary residency.
The Ravinia Festival shared its much-awaited 2026 lineup on Thursday morning. They promised a fantastic summer packed with unforgettable music performances.
Big names like Paul Simon Chance the Rapper, Ricky Martin, Brandi Carlile, and Hugh Jackman will perform at the updated Hunter Pavilion in Highland Park. These shows will run all summer long from June until September.
This year’s lineup highlights acts like Miranda Lambert, Alabama Shakes, Rod Stewart, and Ziggy Marley making sure there’s music for everyone. The 2026 season stands out because it brings over 50 debut artists introducing fresh talent and new energy to this legendary outdoor space. It also features special programs, including ones aimed at families and the much-loved fiesta ravinia series ensuring fun for people of all ages.
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Lawn section at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. Random place in the lawn, July 9, 2021
Photo credit: YourJudge, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will come back to honor 90 years of its esteemed summer residency celebrating an important moment in the festival’s history. This special event will feature outstanding orchestral performances conducted by renowned guest conductors. A beautiful piano concerto and a violin concerto stand out as key performances in the lineup. The season will also feature the talented winner of the respected Van Cliburn Competition, making the classical music program even more exceptional.
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This year’s concerts will take place in the improved pavilion, offering audiences better production quality and a more exciting concert vibe. Back in February, Ravinia Festival shared big plans to spend $75 million on a full renovation of its 36-acre music park. This shows their dedication to building top-notch facilities for performers and visitors. The updates cover new accessibility options across the venue, improvements to Bennett Gordon Hall, and better areas for shows by groups such as the Chicago Philharmonic.
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The season will include chances to learn through the Steans Institute and the creative Breaking Barriers Festival. These events help strengthen Ravinia’s position as a cultural leader. Music fans can grab their tickets starting April 23 to secure their spots for what looks to be an amazing season.
Source:
Elyssa Kaufman (March 12, 2026). Ravinia Festival announces 2026 lineup featuring Paul Simon, Chance the Rapper and Ricky Martin. CBC News. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/ravinia-festival-2026-lineup-paul-simon-chance-the-rapper-ricky-martin/
Header Image: Lawn section at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. Random place in the lawn, July 9, 2021
Photo credit: YourJudge, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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