Get ready, Chicago because summer is about to get a lot hotter as the Ravinia Festival has just announced an epic season of music for 2019. This summer, concert-goers can enjoy 140 events from May 31 – September 15 at the Highland Park festival destination.
New Artist Debuts
Highlighting the schedule are more than 70 artist debuts, including Lady Antebellum, Morrissey, Lionel Richie, Tash Sultana, Queen Latifah with Common (his second visit), T.I., Kesha, Nickelback, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and Lake Street Dive and The Wood Brothers (their second visit). Big news is Chicago’s own Jennifer Hudson will be headlining the annual gala on July 14. Check out the complete season at Ravinia.org and print a handy one-sheet listing.
Returning to the Ravinia Stage
Some of the most popular attractions in Ravinia’s exciting history return this summer, including Ramsey Lewis, John Prine, Bobby McFerrin, Rob Thomas, Buddy Guy with Blues Traveler and Shemekia Copeland, Tony Bennett, Little Big Town, Counting Crows, Sugarland, Michael McDonald and Chaka Kahn, Ringo Starr and The Beach Boys, O.A.R., Sarah McLachlan, and Steely Dan.
New Dining Options – The BMO Club
Opening this season is the new BMO Club, which will bring quick eats and expansive beverage service to the rooftop of Ravinia’s new building. In addition to bar seating, a drink rail around the perimeter of the new space will be connected by an observation bridge to Ravinia’s Dining Pavilion.
Offerings include craft beer, upscale wines, and signature drinks, and small-plate options with a focus on farm-to-table and other locally sourced foods. Try their fresh baked goods, fava bean and ricotta dip, and the North Woods charcuterie, a selection of local jerkies and elk sticks with mustard.
How to Get Your Tickets
Once again, ticket sales will be split up over two days. To reduce customer wait times, May, June, and July concerts will go on sale on at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7, and August and September concerts will go on sale at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, exclusively online at Ravinia. It is recommended that you create a myRavinia account before May 7.
The season closes on Sept. 15 with the fourth annual Fiesta Ravinia, a daylong family festival of Mexican culture and arts in celebration of Mexican Independence Day.
Featured Image Credit: Ravinia Facebook
