Winter Weekend Brings Holiday Magic to Ravinia Festival

This December, Ravinia invites concertgoers to immerse themselves in the festive spirit with a weekend of enchanting performances in the Martin Theatre. Spanning December 6–8, the Winter Weekend begins with the Grammy-winning period orchestra Apollo’s Fire (Dec. 6) sharing their audience-favorite holiday program, welcomes Chicagoland native Andrew Bird (Dec. 7) for an evening of music that shaped his career, and concludes with The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass (Dec. 8) featuring holiday classics that will resonate with audiences of all ages.

In addition, guests can visit the park, with or without concert tickets, before the performance each day to enjoy a variety of winter holiday activities. The Park View restaurant will offer a special prix fixe menu—with reservations open to the public—while the Café will keep visitors cozy with hot chocolate, cider, and cookies, adding warmth to the wintery weekend. The Festival Shop will also host a holiday pop-up featuring artisan gifts, including Toffee Traditions, offering handcrafted treats, Fresh Jewelry Co., with unique silver designs with real, vibrant flowers, Spiffy & Splendid with premium hand-crafted jewelry, and Sea Lily with stylish handbags. A specially curated photo opportunity will be set up at Ravinia’s iconic main entrance gate.

Ravinia will host collections for the Moraine Township Food Pantry before each performance, providing guests an opportunity to support local families in need across Highland Park, Highwood, parts of southeast Lake Forest, and east Deerfield. Visitors interested in donating are encouraged to bring essential, shelf-stable items. A list of the most needed items can be found here.  

Let the festive season unfold–explore the magic of Ravinia’s winter concerts below.

• December 6 – Apollo’s Fire celebrates the holidays at Ravinia with WASSAIL! An Irish-American Christmas, a heartwarming program created by Artistic Director Jeannette Sorrell that embodies the spirit of Christmas night in Old Ireland. From a caroling party through the streets of Dublin to a holiday barn dance in Virginia, this evening follows the hopes and fears of the Irish who bravely crossed the Atlantic. Irish singer Fiona Gillespie joins with fiddlers, medieval harp, hammered dulcimer, and bagpipes in this communal celebration of the American immigrant experience. 
• December 7 – Andrew Bird returns to Ravinia (where he worked as a ticket-taker in his teens) for a special performance of Sunday Morning Put-On, delving into his longtime love of mid-century small-group jazz. Reimagining songs he first performed in Chicago clubs during his teens and 20s, Bird draws on the timeless work of Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Rodgers & Hart, and more. With a three-piece rhythm section, Bird pays homage to the jazz greats that have shaped his career: “Since age 19 to the present, jazz has been my most consistent musical companion.” Sunday Morning Put-On sees Bird thinking beyond his five strings and opening his mind to untapped techniques, blending his signature sound with the rich traditions of the “Great American Songbook.”
• December 8 — The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass makes their Ravinia debut with A Very Brassy Christmas, a spirited program perfect for a winter celebration. As North America’s premier large brass ensemble, the group reflects the diverse makeup of musicians in American culture and the Marsalis family tradition of blending musical genres. Led by Rodney Marsalis, who began playing trumpet alongside his cousin Wynton, the ensemble will showcase a variety of music, from Tchaikovsky, Bach, and Handel classics to energetic pop favorites and traditional carols. Their performances, ranging from brass chorales to festive sing-alongs, promise an unforgettable celebration of the season. 

All performances are held in the Martin Theatre. Concert tickets must be purchased to hear the performance; unlike during the summer, audio is not broadcast across the park.  Learn more about the Winter Weekend here.