RAVINIA NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION Presents: RAVINIA DISTRICT FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS RETURN for 2025!

RAVINIA DISTRICT FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS RETURN!

June 5 to September 18, 4:30 PM to dusk - Dean Avenue and Jens Jensen Park

 RAVINIA DISTRICT, HIGHLAND PARK, IL (APRIL 2025) - Food Truck Thursdays return June 5 to the City of Highland Park's Ravinia District. The 2025 season will run through September 18, and will take place from 4:30 PM to dusk along Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns Avenues and at Jens Jensen Park across from the Ravinia Metra Station.

 “Everyone looks forward to Food Truck Thursdays, a summer staple in the Ravinia District,” says Mayor Nancy Rotering. “It’s such fun to watch the neighborhood come alive with great music, delicious food, themed nights, and a family-friendly atmosphere that truly illustrates how special Highland Park is.”

 Alfresco diners will experience a unique and varied selection of food and drink offerings from more than a dozen rotating food trucks along Dean Avenue every Thursday evening throughout the season. Guests can also enjoy beer and wine selections from Ravinia District restaurants such as Abigail's American Bistro and Steep Ravine Brewing Company.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs or dine at one of the many picnic benches in Jens Jensen Park while enjoying live music (weather permitting) from 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM (June-August) and 4:30 PM - 8 PM (September). The eclectic musical lineup includes a robust variety of genres as well as three special theme nights for all-ages fun! During each of the three themed nights, guests are encouraged to arrive in family-friendly costume and participate in interactive kid-friendly activities. Come ready to sing and “shake it off” at Taylor Swift Night on June 12. Catch incredible preview performances from Children’s Theatre Company, Highland Park Players, and Uptown Music Theater, followed by a movie in the park showing of “Hairspray” (presented by the Park District of Highland Park on July 10. Sing along to the greatest hits of Piano Men Elton John and Billy Joel on August 14!

“To accommodate all of the families coming out early, we’ll be kicking off every concert at 4:30 PM sharp with live music, including special kid-centric performances peppered throughout the summer,” says Noah Plotkin, music manager with Highland Park-based Life Rhythms, Inc., which coordinates music for Food Truck Thursdays on behalf of the City of Highland Park.  Opening acts and family programming will run from 4:30 PM - 5:45 PM with the headliner acts playing from 6 PM - 8:30 PM June-August and 5 PM - 7 PM in September.

June 5

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Ben Tatar & the Tatar Tots, Children’s entertainer

6 PM - 8:30 PM: Radio Free Honduras, Latin rock

June 12: TAYLOR SWIFT THEME NIGHT

4:30 PM - 8:30 PM Attention Swifties! Get ready for all your favorite Taylor Swift tunes with a live DJ and Taylor Swift impersonator, Shake It Off. Rep your favorite “era” and take part in tons of family fun.

June 19

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Cary Cohen’s Grateful Jazz Band, Instrumental jazz for kids

6 PM - 8:30 PM: Saturday June Band, Jazz

June 26

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Angry Ankles, Free spirit jazz for kids

6 PM - 8:30 PM: Nasty Snacks, 8-piece funk band with horns

 JUL. 3

**No Event**

JULY 10: BROADWAY THEME NIGHT

4:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Highland Park Players, Children’s Theatre Co., & Uptown Music Theater

8 PM: Movie in the park showing of “Hairspray,” sponsored by the Park District of Highland Park

July 17

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Jeanie B!, Children’s entertainer

6 PM - 8:30 PM: The Ravinia Ramblers, Local family-friendly rock’n’roll

July 24

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Despina Pafralides, Bluegrass folk

6 PM - 8:30 PM: Jared Rabin Band, Local Americana rock ‘n roll

July 31

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Pierce Crask & Ellis Clark, Delta blues folk

6 PM - 8:30 PM: Basement Band, Local classic rock band covering the Beatles, Elvis, the Eagles, and more

August 7

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: James Conway Duo, Irish folk

6 PM - 8:30 PM: Extra Crispy Brass Band, 8-piece New Orleans-inspired brass band

August 14: ELTON JOHN & BILLY JOEL THEME NIGHT

4:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Sing along to all the hits from Elton John and Billy Joel with tribute artist and impersonator, Simply Elton

August 21

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Wincanton, Local jam band duo

6 PM - 8:30 PM: Sara Jean Stevens & the Swamp Angels, Country soul

August 28

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Noah’s Jam Jam Bourrée, Children’s entertainer

6 PM - 8:30 PM: K-Nein, 10-piece Americana rock ’n roll band with horns

September 4

To be announced

September 11

To be announced

September 18

To be announced

For sneak peeks of weekly food trucks and event updates, be sure to like and follow RaviniaDistrict.HighlandPark on Facebook, @RaviniaDistrict on Instagram, and visit enjoyhighlandpark.com/foodtrucks.

 Food Truck Thursdays are presented by the City of Highland Park and the Ravinia District Special Service Area 17 property owners and are co-sponsored by the Highland Park Community Foundation. Bensidoun USA manages Food Truck Thursdays, with music coordinated by Life Rhythms, Inc. For more information on how to be a part of the 2025 event season as a participating or sponsoring business, please contact the Ravinia District’s event management team, Ripple Public Relations, info@ripplepublicrelations.com, or call 847.432.6000.

The public is encouraged to walk or bike along the enhanced Green Bay Trail  -  Robert McClory Bike Trail which leads to the charming Ravinia District.  The Ravinia District of Highland Park is easily accessible from both north and south via the Metra (Ravinia Station) and Pace Bus. For vehicles, Highland Park can be reached via north Lake Shore Drive to Sheridan Road, US 41 and 294: exit Clavey Road east to Green Bay Road and east on Roger Williams Avenue. Free parking is available.

 ABOUT THE RAVINIA DISTRICT OF HIGHLAND PARK

The Ravinia District offers an eclectic mix of small-scale businesses, popular restaurants, food specialty shops, and high-end personal and professional services. All located within a few walkable blocks, this creative, quaint, friendly, and historic neighborhood offers nearly everything a person might want. The Ravinia District is a lovely location to dine before or after visiting Ravinia Festival or the Chicago Botanic Garden. The District is located east of Green Bay Road on Roger Williams Avenue in Highland Park.

The Ravinia District's historic roots as a getaway from Chicago for artists and other creative people led to its establishment as an artists' colony, geographically separate from Downtown Highland Park and other more commercial business areas.