Ravinia Festival kicks off $75M renovation of Highland Park campus
Here's what's planned for the 36-acre venue.
www.bizjournals.comHere’s the latest on Ravinia Park based on recent reporting:
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Ravinia Festival announced a $75 million renovation of its Highland Park campus, with initial work focused on the Pavilion. The project aims to modernize facilities while preserving the venue’s character, and several donor-funded spaces will be named as part of the plan. This renovation could shift or shorten the 2026 season schedule as construction proceeds. [Sources include BizJournals Chicago, CBS Chicago, Fox 32 Chicago, and WTTW coverage from February 2025.][1][2][3][4]
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The Pavilion area is slated to be renamed the Hunter Pavilion in recognition of a major gift, and back-of-house spaces will become the Negaunee Foundation Artist Center. A new outdoor stage will replace the Carousel Stage, signaling a broader transformation of the campus through 2029 in time for Ravinia’s 125th anniversary.[2][3][4]
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Ravinia’s overall renovation timeline extends through 2029, with phased improvements across the park and venues, meaning anticipated openings and artist lineups may be adjusted accordingly. Updates have emphasized expanding audience comfort, acoustics, and production capabilities while maintaining Ravinia’s heritage.[3][4]
If you’d like, I can pull the most current local coverage and summarize any changes to kickoff dates, phase descriptions, or notable donors. I can also provide a concise timeline or a quick map of which areas are expected to be renovated first.