Saturday, August 23, 2025, and Sunday, August 24, 2025
Doors: Donor Gates at 4:30 PM; Public Gates at 5:00 PM; show starts at 7:30 PM in the Pavilion.
Location
Pavilion, Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL
Tickets
Reserved Seat: $215
Discover Reserved Lawn (per person, blocks of 2/4/6): $165
General‑Admission Lawn: $69–$74
The Show Multi‑platinum and 13‑time Grammy Award‑winning artist John Legend delivers a heartfelt performance celebrating 20 years of his debut album, Get Lifted. The evening revisits the album that launched his career, now featuring an anniversary edition with 11 bonus tracks, 8 new remixes and rare B‑sides. It’s a night of soulful nostalgia and storytelling under the summer sky.
Artist Reflections Legend shares:
“I’m so thrilled to be celebrating 20 years of the album that introduced me to the world… I’m so grateful for the career that this album launched. These last 20 years have taken me far beyond my wildest dreams.”
He adds:
“Revisiting the original album and some of the unreleased songs from that era has been such a meaningful experience. Reinvigorating the music with fresh remixes and collaborations featuring some of my favorite artists makes this celebration even more special.”
Why You’ll Want to Be There This performance isn’t just another concert, it’s a poignant tribute to the work that defined John Legend as an artist. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Get Lifted anew, it’s a chance to experience the album’s soul-stirring tracks, enhanced with fresh remixes and rare gems.
Planning Your Visit
Picnics are welcome! Ravinia is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, bring a picnic, enjoy lawn seating, and maybe pair it with a pre-show meal at the Festival Park View or Lawn Bar .
Getting There: Metra’s Union Pacific North Line stops at the venue—super convenient! For those driving, check the specific event page for parking details and consider using the Park & Ride or shuttle options .
Cashless Venue: Everything from concessions to merchandise at Ravinia is cashless—credit/debit or mobile payment only .
Country-pop superstar Maren Morris will bring her Dreamsicle Tour to the Pavilion at Ravinia in Highland Park on Friday, August 22, 2025. Known for blending the storytelling roots of country with pop, R&B, and soul influences, Morris has established herself as one of the most versatile voices in contemporary music. Fans at Ravinia can expect an evening filled with her powerful vocals and genre-spanning catalog.
The show is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., with Miya Folick opening the night. Gates will open for donors at 4:30 p.m. and for the general public at 5:00 p.m., giving attendees plenty of time to settle in and enjoy the Ravinia experience before the music starts.
Morris has been captivating audiences since the release of her breakout single My Church in 2016, earning multiple Grammy nominations and a Grammy win. Along the way, she has released hits like The Bones, Rich, and her smash collaboration with Zedd, The Middle. Her most recent work continues to showcase her growth as a songwriter and performer, making her upcoming Ravinia stop a highlight of the summer concert season.
The evening promises to be more than just a concert—Ravinia’s outdoor setting offers fans the chance to enjoy Morris’s music under the stars, surrounded by one of the most unique and scenic venues in the country. With tickets ranging from $54 to $125, this performance is accessible to a wide range of fans eager to see one of Nashville’s brightest stars live.
Summer nights at Ravinia Festival are always special but on June 21, they’ll be downright unforgettable.
Beloved indie trailblazers Dispatch return to the Highland Park venue as part of their stacked summer tour, bringing with them an eclectic lineup of fan favorites and genre-defiers. Sharing the stage will be John Butler, G. Love & Special Sauce, Donavon Frankenreiter, and Illiterate Light, making this more than just a concert, rather a curated experience of roots, reggae, and revival.
Known for their genre-melding sound that blends roots rock with reggae, folk, ska, and soul, Dispatch has built a fiercely loyal fanbase over the past 25 years. Their latest project, Yellow Jacket, finds the band returning to the reggae/ska influences that first inspired them, offering a fresh-yet-familiar soundtrack for longtime fans and newcomers alike. You can check out the new LP here!
Joining them is John Butler, the virtuosic frontman of the John Butler Trio, whose deep catalog of blues and folk-infused rock has earned him acclaim around the world. His live performances are a masterclass in musicianship, emotion, and raw, improvisational energy.
Also on the bill is the effortlessly chill Donavon Frankenreiter, a former pro surfer who swapped his board for a guitar. His breezy, soulful jams bring a coastal warmth that fits summer evenings like a well-worn pair of flip-flops. Add in G. Love & Special Sauce’s funky hip-hop-blues fusion and the high-voltage indie energy of Illiterate Light, and you’ve got a night that crosses continents, styles, and sounds.
But part of what makes this show so uniquely appealing is the venue itself. Ravinia Festival is a whole experience. Tucked in a leafy corner of Highland Park, it’s the country’s oldest outdoor music festival and offers a laid-back, picnic-style setting unlike any other. Whether you’re grooving from a reserved seat or lounging on the lawn under the stars with a bottle of wine and charcuterie board in hand, there’s simply no better place to catch live music in the Midwest during the summer.
Dispatch at Ravinia will be a celebration of community, storytelling, and the enduring power of music that moves both body and soul.
The Ravinia Festival isn’t your typical concert venue and Saturday night wasn’t your typical show.
As thousands gathered in Highland Park, just outside of Chicago, with picnic baskets, bottles of rosé, and rainbow flags in hand, the second major concert of Ravinia’s 2025 season transformed the scenic, tree-lined amphitheater into a sanctuary of sound, style, and self-expression. The pairing of two genre-bending icons, Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that felt tailor made for Pride Month. It was futuristic. It was funky. It was fearless.
Janelle Monáe: Opening with Headliner Energy
Janelle Monáe might have technically opened the night, but her performance was anything but secondary. The acclaimed artist brought her unmistakable blend of Afrofuturism, soul, and pop polish to Ravinia’s stage with commanding presence, igniting the crowd from the jump. With hits like “Make Me Feel” and selections from her Age of Pleasure era, Monáe blurred the lines between concert and theatrical production, dripping charisma and reminding everyone that she can, and does, headline festivals on her own.
Monáe’s performance also echoed the spirit of Pride in both message and aesthetic. Between songs, she shared messages of empowerment and visibility, championing queer joy in a world that too often stifles it. She made Ravinia’s lawn feel less like a north shore park and more like a utopian block party, with concertgoers dancing in the grass, glitter on their cheeks.
Grace Jones: The Queen Ascends (Literally)
Then came Grace Jones.
As the curtain fell, the stage revealed Jones poised atop a towering platform, wearing a striking red mask that looked like a cyberpunk welder’s helmet. It was theatrical, menacing, iconic. She opened with her take of Iggy Pop’s “Nightclubbing,” her voice slinking through the air like velvet smoke, and from that moment on, the audience was hers.
At 77, Grace Jones remains a marvel. Her set was part fashion show, part performance art, part dance party, and all Grace. The hits came one after the other: “Demolition Man” and the sly groove of “My Jamaican Guy” drew roars from both the pavilion and the packed lawn. Lawngoers, some listening from their blankets on the ground, others sipping cocktails from crystal glasses, were just as locked in as those with front-row seats.
She commanded the stage with magnetic eccentricity, balancing avant-garde visuals with raw musical power. During “Williams’ Blood,” she delivered vocals that were chilling in their intensity. Her take on “Amazing Grace” was stirring and oddly intimate, even in a venue filled with thousands.
But the night’s true climax came during “Pull Up to the Bumper,” when Monáe reappeared to join Jones on stage. It was a generational summit of two trailblazers, exuding mutual respect, joy, and defiance. Finally, “Slave to the Rhythm” closed the night in spectacular fashion, although the crowd certainly didn’t want it to end.
Ravinia’s Unique Magic
There’s truly nowhere else like Ravinia. While many venues are content with plastic chairs and overpriced beer, Ravinia invites fans to build their own experience. Couples on the lawn dined by candlelight, groups of friends lounged on picnic blankets decked out like living rooms, and families danced among hanging string lights and garden gnomes.
That sense of personal celebration blended perfectly with the ethos of the night: be yourself, love freely, live loudly.
Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe gave Pride Month a North Shore moment it won’t soon forget.
Check out photos from Saturday night’s unforgettable performances below (Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit helped wrap up Ravinia’s impressive 2024 season last night with a masterclass in Americana, offering a night of soul-searching lyrics and spine-tingling melodies under the stars. With the Pavilion and lawn packed with Isbell’s Chicagoland fans, the singer’s anticipated return to the festival felt more like a private intimate set than a performance for thousands. Having played here before, both he and opener Alejandro Escovedo proved to be Ravinia alumni who understand the unique charm of this venue.
Isbell kicked off his set with “24 Frames,” immediately grabbing the audience’s attention with a song that perfectly encapsulates his ability to turn personal reflection into something universal. He quickly followed it up with “Save the World” and “King of Oklahoma,” selections from his 2023 Grammy-winning album Weathervanes. The new tracks stood proudly alongside fan-favorite older songs, showing just how seamlessly Isbell continues to evolve as both a songwriter and performer. As the night progressed, Isbell’s rich vocals and searing guitar solos were beautifully complemented by the tight musicianship of The 400 Unit. Together, they create a sound that’s both deeply intimate and capable of filling a venue as large and open as Ravinia.
For those unfamiliar with Isbell’s journey, he first gained prominence as a member of Drive-By Truckers before forging a solo career that would cement him as one of the greatest storytellers of his generation. A six-time Grammy winner, Isbell’s music blends rock, country, and folk, making him a stalwart of the Americana genre. His sobriety and personal growth have been key themes in his work, particularly on the album Southeastern, which propelled him to critical acclaim. Fast forward to today, and his latest release, Weathervanes, continues his tradition of introspective, heart-wrenching storytelling, tackling themes of love, loss, and redemption.
The audience was treated to a full spectrum of emotions as Isbell moved through his 19-song set. Songs like “Cover Me Up” — a staple of his catalog and a declaration of love and sobriety — hit just as hard as ever, bringing an emotional crescendo to the end of his main set. Isbell’s ability to captivate with his lyrics, particularly lines like “I sobered up, and I swore off that stuff,” resonated deeply with the crowd, many of whom sang along, their voices rising to meet the starry sky.
Of course, no night would be complete without a surprise or two. Isbell’s three-song encore began with a heartfelt cover of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven,” which he injected with his own Americana flair, giving the iconic tune a warm, acoustic feel. He followed it with “Cast Iron Skillet,” a poignant track from Weathervanes, before closing out the night with “Miles,” leaving the audience in a contemplative mood.
Before Isbell and The 400 Unit took the stage, Alejandro Escovedo delivered a 10-song set that served as the perfect primer for the night. Escovedo, whose career has spanned punk, rock, and roots music, brought an infectious energy to songs like “John Conquest” and “Castanets.” Escovedo, like Isbell, is no stranger to Ravinia, and his performance was entertaining and familiar.
Ravinia itself added its usual magic to the night. There’s something special about seeing a show at North America’s oldest music festival, where lawn chairs and picnic baskets blend with world-class performances. The intimacy of the Pavilion, combined with the communal atmosphere of the lawn, makes every concert here a unique experience. Isbell’s music, with its themes of self-reflection and connection, felt right at home.
This was one of the final big shows of the season, and as the night drew to a close, there was a sense of bittersweetness in the air — not only because Isbell’s set was over, but because it marked the end of another unforgettable Ravinia summer.
If you weren’t at this show, you missed out on a master storyteller at the height of his powers, backed by one of the tightest bands in the business. But don’t worry, Isbell’s music — like a perfect summer night at Ravinia — will stay with you long after the final note fades.
Check out of photos from photographer Linda O’Connell below!
Last night, the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL, was transformed into a nostalgic paradise as TLC and Shaggy took the stage for a night of throwback hits and feel-good vibes. With a lineup like this, you couldn’t help but ask, “What About Your Friends?” because they should have been right there with you, reliving the ’90s and early 2000s.
Despite many expecting TLC to headline, the legendary group kicked off the evening at 7:30 PM. The moment Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins and Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas stepped on stage, the crowd was hit with an overwhelming wave of nostalgia. The duo, back in action after T-Boz’s recent health scare, showed no signs of slowing down. Opening with “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg,” TLC immediately reminded us why they’re icons of the R&B scene.
The setlist was a mix of their greatest hits, including “What About Your Friends,” “Red Light Special,” and of course, the timeless “Waterfalls.” Each song brought back memories of cassette tapes, MTV music videos, and those middle school dance moments where you pretended you didn’t care about “No Scrubs,” but you totally did.
T-Boz, who recently overcame an abdominal blockage, delivered a performance that was nothing short of inspiring, not missing a beat. Her vocals were strong, and her energy was infectious. And let’s not forget Chilli, who brought the heat with her flawless dance moves and ageless beauty. Together, they proved that even decades later, they still have what it takes to “Creep” into our hearts.
Following TLC’s stellar performance, Shaggy took to the stage as the night’s headliner—a surprise to many but a welcome one. The reggae-fusion artist, known for his smooth voice and cheeky lyrics, immediately set the tone with his opening track, “Mood.”
Shaggy’s set was nothing short of a party, filled with hits that had the audience dancing in their seats and on the lawn. From “Boombastic” to “Angel,” the crowd was transported to a Caribbean paradise, even if we were just in Highland Park. His cover of Mungo Jerry’s “In The Summertime” was a delightful addition, bringing that summer festival vibe to life.
One of the highlights of Shaggy’s set was his humorous interaction with the audience. Despite repeatedly referring to the venue as “Ravina” instead of Ravinia, Shaggy’s charm and wit won everyone over. By the time he launched into “It Wasn’t Me” for the double billing’s encore, the entire venue was singing along, proving that some songs are truly timeless.
His rendition of Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” added an extra spark to the night, and his performance of “Luv Me Luv Me” had everyone swaying. Shaggy might have been expected to open, but he delivered a headlining set that felt like a Jamaican carnival—full of life, energy, and irresistible rhythms.
Ravinia Festival provided the perfect setting for this night of nostalgia. Known for its unique atmosphere, Ravinia is not just a concert venue—it’s an experience. The sprawling lawn, picnic-friendly policies, and intimate pavilion seating make it a beloved spot for music lovers.
There’s something magical about watching a concert under the stars, surrounded by trees and fellow fans. As the music played, the crowd relaxed on their blankets, sipped wine, and let the good vibes wash over them.
TLC and Shaggy delivered a night that was as much about reminiscing as it was about celebrating the present. For anyone who grew up with these artists on their mixtapes, last night was a reminder of why we fell in love with their music in the first place.
As the crowd dispersed into the night, you could hear echoes of “Waterfalls” and “It Wasn’t Me” mingling with the laughter and chatter of satisfied concertgoers. Ravinia, with its unique charm, had once again hosted a night to remember. If you missed it, don’t be a scrub next time!
Sting performs at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL (Photo by Dan Garcia).
Highland Park’s Ravinia Festival, one of the most unique festivals in the country, has blessed music fans with their full 2022 lineup.
Headlining the Illinois festival this upcoming summer will be names like Stevie Nicks, Common, Sting, Pitbull, Why Don’t We, The Revivalists, John Fogerty, Little Big Town, Bonnie Raitt and many more. The festival kicks off at the end of May and will run until the middle of September.
Ravinia attracts hundreds of thousands of fans throughout the season and features seating in a 3,000+ seat pavilion as well as an expansive lawn area for fan picnics during performances, unlike nothing else that you’ll experience. You can visit the festival’s official website for tickets and more information.
Check out some highlights from Ravinia’s 2022 lineup below and check out their full schedule here.
Highland Park’s Ravinia Festival has really outdone itself for its 2019 schedule. With a number of memorable performances last summer, from The Beach Boys with John Stamos to 50 Cent’s Ravinia Debut, 2018 set the bar high for the new year.
Lucky for fans in the Chicago area, Ravinia may have booked its best lineup yet. With more shows than we can name, several stand outs from Ravinia’s 2019 schedule include:
Tash Sultana (6/1)
Rob Thomas (6/6)
Josh Groban (6/7)
Lionel Richie (6/11-12)
Buddy Guy (6/14)
Tony Bennett (6/21)
Little Big Town (6/28)
Counting Crows (6/29)
Sugarland (6/30)
Steve Miller Band (7/1)
T.I. (7/2)
Michael McDonald and Chaka Khan (7/6)
Maxwell (7/9)
Lady Antebellum (7/10)
Jennifer Hudson (7/14)
Weird Al Yankovic (7/28)
Ringo Starr and The Beach Boys (8/3-4)
Chicago (8/10-11)
Nickelback (8/13-14)
Pentatonix (8/15)
Sting (8/23-24)
Queen Latifah and Common (8/31)
Steely Dan (9/1-2)
Kesha (9/8)
Morrisey (9/14) and more!
Get your tickets now and check out Ravinia’s full schedule now at their official website.
50 Cent delivered a very rare and special performance to the Chicago-area Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL last night. The rap legend and Power creator/actorbrought a huge and diverse crowd to one of the Midwest’s most unique experiences. Whether you were dancing in the pavilion or lounging out and enjoying sounds on the lawn, if you were in attendance last night, you had a more than memorable night.
We hope you made it out to the special performance, but if you didn’t, we have our five reasons why you missed out below.
1. 50 Cent Shows Are a Rarity
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson rarely does shows in the country, in fact, 50 has only performed a few shows in the U.S. in the past few years. It’s been even longer than that since 50 Cent performed in the Chicago area, so when you have a chance to see him live, you have to jump on the opportunity. And although he doesn’t perform often, you wouldn’t have guessed it from last night’s performance. 50 brought a live band and performed a ton of his greatest hits, without issue. Practice may make perfect, but 50 Cent looked like he was in the middle of a tour with his great stage presence last night.
2. The Setlist
While also mixing in his brand new Tekashi 6ix9ine-assisted single ‘Get The Strap’, 50 Cent gave the fans what they wanted last night as Jackson performed the hits from start to finish. Opening with his 2007 track ‘Movin On Up’, 50 Cent kept the crowd entertained with tracks like ‘How We Do’, ‘What Up Gangsta’, ‘Many Men’, ’21 Questions’, ‘Window Shopper’ and of course his mega breakout track ‘In Da Club’, among others.
3. He Brought Some Friends
Although there was no opener for the night’s performance, 50 Cent didn’t travel to the Windy City solo as his G-Unit label-mates Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda joined him on-stage for the entire night. The two even contributed verses of their own for tracks like ‘On & On’, ‘Pimping’ and more.
4. There’s No Place Like The Ravinia to Catch a Show
The energy of last night was something special! A 50 Cent show in Highland Park may not sound like a perfect match, but the Chicago suburb’s festival consistently brings some of the best acts to the area, and the fit was amazing. The packed crowd was very diverse, proving that everyone loves 50 Cent’s music. From the moment the show started, the crowd was on their feet for the rest of the night.
5. He Repped Chicago
50 Cent proudly reps South Jamaica, Queens but that didn’t stop the New York-native from showing love to Chicago. Sporting a Chicago White Sox cap, 50 Cent put a little touch of Chicago into his wardrobe. 50 Cent and Chicago clearly have love for each other, and we hope that he returns to the area again in the near future because last night was one that we won’t soon forget!
Check out our photos from last night’s performance below and get your tickets for the remaining dates of the Ravinia Festival here.
Highland Park’s Ravinia Festival brings a consistent and diverse lineup of performers to the Chicago-area festival on a yearly basis. The festival will host a classical music recital one night, a famous musical the next and then a concert from one of the biggest artists on the radio to cap off the packed weekend. Ravinia easily has something for everyone throughout its summer months, making it a staple of a memorable Chicago summer.
That’s why there was no better venue for Lindsey Stirling and Evanescence’s new summer tour, which kicked off this past month and which is backed by a full orchestra. Mashing a live orchestra and big name performers, Ravinia was the perfect setting for the entertaining co-headliners.
Kicking things off on Tuesday night was violinist Lindsey Stirling. Giving new life to the 400-year-old instrument, Stirling famously combines the violin with dance and performance art, while mixing in popular genres into her recordings. You may know her from her stints on America’s Got Talent or Dancing With The Stars, but those in attendance last night will know her best for stealing the show at Ravinia.
With no vocals in the large majority of her tracks, one could understandably expect the majority of her songs to sound relatively similar. However that couldn’t have been farther from the truth. Not only did each song that Stirling perform sound different and unique, but the performance art that Stirling used throughout the duration of her set helped tell a story, when lyrics could not.
Stirling also found ways to mix things up throughout her set, including a special surprise visit from Evanescence’s Amy Lee for a performance of ‘Shatter Me’, giving fans a sneak peak of the night’s headlining act.
Stirling also didn’t shy away from showing off her personality with her set. Early in the performance the stage was filled with various tombstones, including one dedicated to Piers Morgan, a judge on Stirling’s season of America’s Got Talent. Morgan did not shy away from critiquing Lindsey’s mixes of dance and violin, but who is laughing now? A subtle jab at one of her most famous haters, Stirling definitely had us laughing with her shade.
Another highlight of Stirling’s performance was when she took the time to tell the story of her first time in Chicago. Having heard about the Windy City’s famous deep dish pizza, Stirling walked over thirty blocks to grab a slice many years ago. However, after being told that there would be an hour wait and that she would need to order a whole pie, Stirling took to the streets to find a random stranger to share the pizza. Finally finding a hungry stranger to take her up on her offer, the two enjoyed the pizza and Stirling revealed that she still texts the man to this day when she finds her way back to Chicago. The funniest part being that this man, who refers to Lindsey as “pizza girl”, still has no idea what she does for a living.
The between song stories weren’t always as funny though, as the violinist also shared some inspiring words with her audience. Leading into her track ‘First Light’, Stirling spoke about how people have the power to take control of their own happiness. Sharing her struggles of depression and anorexia, Stirling likened taking care of your mind to exercising any other muscle in your body. It takes many reps, but with time you can strengthen your mind like any other muscle.
And while her personality was definitely on display throughout the night, it was Lindsey Stirling’s unbelievable ability to shred on the violin while dancing her butt off that left the crowd in awe. Everyone in attendance left with a new found respect for violin players, especially one like Stirling who can multi-task like none other. You may be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, but try spinning and jumping across the stage while flawlessly killing it on the violin.
Following Lindsey Stirling’s portion of the night, it was time for the Amy Lee-led Evanescence to greet their Illinois fans. Opening with their 2017 track ‘Overture’, Lee got the performance started with a minute-long piano solo. Soon after, Lee made the short walk to her mic stand and instantly showcased her amazing and unique vocals, sounding no different than when Evanescence first emerged in 2003 with their debut album, Fallen.
Throughout the night the band performed creative takes on some of their biggest songs from their entire discography. Backed by the live orchestra, the performance made fans appreciate the sounds of live instruments, especially in a day of age where rappers and singers aren’t back by much more than a Macbook.
While no section of the set shined over the others, Evanescence’s performance was consistently good from beginning to end. Two highlights though, included Amy Lee inviting Stirling back to the stage for ‘Hi-Lo’ and of course the band’s performance of their mega single, ‘Bring Me To Life’, which surprisingly took place only seven tracks into the seventeen track performance. Instead Evanescence chose to end the concert with ‘Imperfection’, the second single from their newest album, but an equally great song to end the night with.
Although we are sure that Lindsey Stirling and Evanescence’s tour is remarkable no matter what city or venue you catch it in, the unique tour seemed right at home at Ravinia. The unique splicing of a live orchestra and popular music is a combination that deserves to be witnessed by everyone, so make sure you catch the tour in a city near you!
Check out our photos from last night’s performance below.
The Early Registration 