Ravinia announces $75M in campus renovations to popular festival venue
Ravinia Festival announced a $75 million renovation today to modernize its iconic park and performance spaces while preserving its historic charm.
www.fox32chicago.comHere’s the latest public update on Ravinia:
- Ravinia announced a $75 million campus renovation, with initial work focused on the Pavilion. The project aims to modernize facilities while preserving Ravinia’s character, and it may affect the 2026 season schedule due to construction. The Pavilion is planned to be renamed Hunter Pavilion, and backstage/artist facilities will be enhanced as part of the first phase. [CBS News, Feb 12–13, 2025] [CBS News: Ravinia renovation details][Fox 32 Chicago: Ravinia renovations overview]
- The broader renovation program is planned to unfold in phases through 2029, targeting upgrades across multiple venues on the Ravinia grounds in time for the festival’s 125th anniversary. Expected completion by 2029 aligns with Ravinia’s long-term transformation timeline. [CBS News, Feb 12–13, 2025] [WTTW Chicago: Ravinia revamp announcement]
- For context, Ravinia’s 2025 season was anticipated to proceed with a condensed lineup due to construction, with a full return and expanded capabilities anticipated for subsequent seasons. James Taylor and other artists had been announced for 2025 before the rollout of the renovations. [CBS News, Feb 12–13, 2025] [Fox 32 Chicago: renovation plan implications]
Illustration: A simplified view of the renovation timeline
- 2025: Phase 1 focus on Pavilion upgrades; start of construction
- 2026: Partial reopening with Hunter Pavilion; continued phase 2 work
- 2027–2029: Remaining venue renovations across the campus
- 2029: Full completion ahead of Ravinia’s 125th anniversary
If you’d like, I can pull up the latest local coverage from specific outlets (e.g., Chicago outlets) or summarize the official Ravinia site’s updates and any changes to the 2026 lineup.