Ravinia Festival announced its highly anticipated 2026 season, heralding a bold new era for North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival. Running from June through September, the season highlights the ongoing renewal and enhancement of Ravinia’s historic 36-acre park, led by the opening of the updated and redesigned Hunter Pavilion, honoring Maxine M. and Thomas B. Hunter III.
The Chicago Philharmonic is pleased to announce three unprecedented collaborations as we celebrate our 31st summer at the festival.
Chicago Philharmonic performs Encanto in Concert to a sold-out crowd at Ravinia Festival in 2023.
Hugh Jackman with the Chicago Philharmonic
August 9, 2025 | Hunter Pavilion
Praised by The Wall Street Journal as “one of the most gifted and multifaceted performers of our time,” Hugh Jackman makes his highly anticipated Ravinia debut this summer with the Chicago Philharmonic. A leading man of stage and screen, the Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award winning performer promises an evening of “endless charm, energy, and charisma” (New York Stage Review).
Jackman rose to global stardom as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, creating one of the most iconic characters in modern cinema. Yet long before conquering Hollywood, he was captivating theater audiences with his commanding presence and theatrical charm. Now, Jackman returns to his stage roots, revisiting his Broadway triumphs and offering a performance that is equal parts concert and celebration. A bona fide movie star and accomplished musical theater performer, he embodies the rare “triple threat” versatility—acting, singing, and dancing—that defines true showmanship. With effortless charm, boundless energy, and deep respect for the craft, Jackman bridges the worlds of blockbuster film and live theater, reminding audiences why he remains one of the most dynamic and beloved entertainers of our time.
Jackman’s unmatched charisma and tireless work ethic makes even the grandest venue feel intimate. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a great showman in his element—presenting a dazzling evening of musical magic!
Tickets go on sale April 23, 8:00 AM CST exclusively at Ravinia.org.
Gregory Alan Isakov with the Chicago Philharmonic
August 19, 2025 | Hunter Pavilion
After two sold-out 2025 concerts with the Chicago Philharmonic, Isakov returns to collaborate with the orchestra for a promising an evening of musical grandeur and intimate storytelling under the baton of Christopher Dragon.
“Simple. Straightforward. Utterly evocative” proclaims the Associated Press. Born in South Africa, and now calling Colorado home, horticulturist/musician Gregory Alan Isakov has cast an impressive presence on the indie-rock and folk worlds since releasing his debut album Rust Colored Stones (2003).
Nominated for a Grammy in 2019 for Evening Machines, Isakov is known for his poetic lyricism and hypnotic melodies. No Depression declares, “this is Isakov’s genius. He turns a short poem into a magnificent piece of music that can captivate for hours.” His latest record Appaloosa Bones continues to build upon that genius, creating a richly textured and “gorgeously atmospheric” journey (Sputnik Music) that “glides over elegant and shimmering Wild West mirages” (MOJO).
Since his first collaboration with the Colorado Symphony in 2016, Isakov has performed with national symphony orchestras across the United States, building a sense of grandeur around songs originally written for quiet rooms and open landscapes. The result is a concert experience that feels both intimate and monumental: folk music scaled to cathedral proportions, yet still grounded in Isakov’s quiet, contemplative voice.
Tickets go on sale April 23, 8:00 AM CST exclusively at Ravinia.org.
Labrinth with the Chicago Philharmonic
September 2, 2025 | Hunter Pavilion
Since rising to prominence in the early 2010s, English singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer Labrinth has continued to prove himself as one of most imaginatively expansive voices of his generation. The “endlessly talented polymath” (Rolling Stone) first broke through with collaborations alongside Tinie Tempah on chart-topping singles “Pass Out” and “Frisky,” before stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist with “Let the Sun Shine.” His 2012 debut album, Electronic Earth, cemented his reputation for genre-blurring production, cinematic scale, and emotionally powerful storytelling.
In 2018, Labrinth formed the supergroup LSD with Australian singer Sia and American DJ and producer Diplo. The group released their self-titled debut album the following year. Also in 2019, in October, he composed the Season 1 Official Score for the HBO drama series Euphoria; it received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning one for the single “All for Us”. His second album, Imagination & the Misfit Kid, followed in November.
With his latest project Cosmic Opera Act I, Labrinth brings his uncompromisingly grand vision to the forefront, fusing orchestral elements with futuristic production. The Guardian writes, “Moody and cinematic, songs such as IMPLOSION and S.W.M.F., bolt expansive strings on to pounding hip-hop beats.” Labrinth himself frames the project as an exploration of the psychological toll of creative ambition: “an artist’s perspective to explore mental illness while navigating a career in the entertainment industry. The paranoia, the confirmation of threats, the desperate and unfulfilling pursuit of success” (Rolling Stone).
Tickets go on sale April 23, 8:00 AM CST exclusively at Ravinia.org.