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Location: Highland Park

Ravinia Festival551

in Highland Park, IL 60035
847.266.5100
Hours:Jun-Sep
Cost:Ticket prices vary.
Ages:All Ages

about Ravinia Festival:

North America's oldest music festival (circa 1904), the world-renowned Ravinia, sprawls across 36 acres of beautiful, green lawns, restaurants, and three stages. Martin Theatre and Bennett Gordon Hall are indoor venues, and the Pavilion, which seats 3,400 but also includes roomier, grass-ier "lawn seating," is part of the great outdoors.

Classical music is Ravinia's strong suit, but Ravinia showcases a wide variety of other types of music as well. Classical, pop, rock, folk, and world music are all represented over the course of the festival.

Reserve seats in the Pavilion, which are slightly more expensive than lawn tickets, but allow for a better view of performers and a more comfortable seat. Or stake out a plot of the lawn, settle in, and enjoy the world-class entertainment.

If it's chillier or buggier than expected, or if wine bottle openers, napkins, matches, or the like were left behind, stop by the gift shop - where there's bound to be a line of others who forgot similar items. Those who picnic first - and then plan to move to the comfort of a reserved seat - can stash belongings in one of the convenient storage areas at the perimeter of the venue.

When performances are expected to pull especially large crowds, leave earlier than usual or take the Metra to avoid delays. For anticipated crowd information check www.ravinia.org or call the box office at 847.266-5100.

In general, the park opens three hours prior to the concert time for that evening's main event. For Kraft Kids Concerts, the park opens one hour prior to the concert.

Please note that children under the age of seven are not allowed in reserved seats (except for Kraft Kids Concerts and the Family Concert). Also not allowed are tiki torches, tents, beverage holders, pets, beer kegs, bicycles, scooters, in-line skates, balls, frisbees, cameras, and audio recorders.

tips:

Picnics at Ravinia come in every shape and size. Some pack tables, chairs, white linens, candelabras, and a gourmet spread; others simply grab a blanket for the ground, slap some sandwiches together, and toss it all in a backpack. If time is scarce and funds are plenty, a spur-of-the-moment picnic from from grab-it-'n'-go burgers or pizzas to complete, gourmet picnics, including soft drinks, wine, beer, cocktails, and coffee are available at one of the many restaurants at Ravina. There are plenty of choices - both kids and adults should be able to find something that pleases their palates. Families can also rent a lawn chair for $5, or two lawn chairs and a side table for only $10, at Mark Chair, located between the Martin Theatre and the Mirabelle restaurant.

getting there:

Avoid traffic and parking hassles by taking the "Ravinia Special" Metra train that stops right at the front gate. If that's not possible, then the Edens Expressway (I-94), Route 41, and the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) have convenient, marked exits to Ravinia. Also, a free Park 'N Ride shuttle service is available for most evening Pavilion events beginning 30 minutes before the park opens. Skip trying to find regular parking, and go directly to a Park 'N Ride lot. To avoid extreme congestion on Lake-Cook Road, exit onto Deerfield, Central or Clavey roads and proceed to a Park 'N Ride lot.

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