Enjoying music under the stars at the Ravinia Festival is tradition for thousands across Chicagoland. Now getting to the festival grounds on Metra is free and even more convenient thanks to a continuing partnership with the Ravinia Festival.
For the third year in a row, a ticket for a concert at the world-famous venue will also cover your travel costs on a fast and convenient Metra Union Pacific North Line train. All concertgoers need to do is show the Metra conductor their concert ticket or e-ticket and their rides to and from Ravinia Park on the UP North Line are free!
To make using the train even more convenient, Metra will increase the number of trains stopping at the Ravinia gates for weekend shows beginning June 17. With this change, most trains will now stop at the Ravinia Festival gates throughout the day on both Saturdays and Sundays.
“This partnership is just one more way we can serve our customers,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “My Metra has always been more than just a way to commute to work. It’s a way to travel affordably and sustainably to enjoy all that the Chicago region has to offer. The fact that our trains stop at the entrance to Ravinia Park is a great example of how easy it is to access many regional attractions without a car.”
Metra’s UP North Line from Chicago to Kenosha is the perfect solution for avoiding traffic and additional parking fees. The line’s Ravinia Park Station is located at the entrance to the festival grounds and is used exclusively for events at the park. The line’s Braeside Station is also located a short walk from the park.
“Going to a live performance is an incredible experience, and it's important to plan ahead for transportation. We are grateful to continue our partnership with Metra to benefit Ravinia concertgoers. This collaboration is a wonderful example of how we can improve accessibility and enhance the overall concert experience so that our guests can create unforgettable live-music moments,” said Ravinia Festival President and CEO Jeff Haydon.
Concertgoers can ride the UP North Line from any of its stops. South of Ravinia, those include the downtown Ogilvie Transportation Center, Clybourn, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, stations in Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Indian Hill, Winnetka, Hubbard Woods and Glencoe. North of Ravinia, concertgoers can board trains in Highland Park, Highwood, Fort Sheridan, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Great Lakes, North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion Winthrop Harbor and Kenosha.
Plan your trip by checking out the UP North Line schedule.