Pavilion at Northerly Island, Open-air theatre at Northerly Island, Chicago, United States
The Huntington Bank Pavilion is an open-air performance space built into Lake Michigan's shoreline, designed to hold around 30,000 people for concerts and events. The structure reaches out toward the water, creating a unique setup where performances happen with the lake as a natural backdrop.
This pavilion opened in 2005 on the former site of Meigs Field, a small airport that closed in 2003. The transformation of the old airport grounds into this performance space gave Chicago a new destination for outdoor entertainment.
The venue serves as a major gathering place for live music lovers in Chicago, hosting everything from classical orchestras to pop and rock performers. You'll notice how the space brings together crowds of all ages throughout the warmer season.
The space operates during warmer months and has food vendors set up during events, so you won't go hungry. Arriving early gives you time to explore the surrounding park area and find good viewing spots before the show begins.
From the seating areas, you can see both the lake waters and Chicago's tall buildings at the same time during performances. This rare combination of natural water views and urban skyline creates a setting you won't find at most other concert venues.
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