Overview
The city’s annual celebration of its architectural heritage comes to Symphony Center as part of Open House Chicago, presented by the Chicago Architecture Center. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 17, visitors can explore Orchestra Hall, designed by pioneering architect Daniel Burnham, and other spaces throughout the historic 1904 building on Michigan Avenue — including the 1997 Symphony Center enhancements and addition created by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
Enjoy a self-guided, station-by-station tour with information provided by volunteer tour guides. Open House Chicago visitors have access to:
- Michigan Avenue lobby and Adams Street passage
- Orchestra Hall
- Grainger Ballroom
- The Ling Z. and Michael C. Markovitz Arcade
- Buntrock Hall
- Rotunda
- Richard and Helen Thomas Club
- A resource fair hosted by CSO affinity groups, including African American Network, Family Ambassadors, Latino Alliance, League of the CSO, Overture Council and Student Ambassadors
- A blood drive in the Forte event space
This event is free and open to the public, with no tickets required. We hope to see you there!
All-day events
- Explore the historic building on a self-guided tour of Symphony Center.
- Take a selfie at the conductor’s podium in Orchestra Hall.
- Connect with CSO community members at the resource fair and enter to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming concert.
- Venture upstairs to the ninth floor, and enjoy sweeping views of Lake Michigan from the Thomas Club.
- Learn and play in the kids’ space in Buntrock Hall, featuring coloring stations and scavenger hunt worksheets. Enjoy special activities and videos. Recommended for ages 3-12.
- Visit the Box Office for exclusive ticket offers.
- Commemorate your experience with CSO-branded merchandise and apparel from the Symphony Store.
Symphony of Giving: Give Blood. Experience Music. Save Lives.
Participate in a blood drive at Symphony Center during Open House Chicago featuring Abbott’s mixed reality experience with original music performed by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
You are invited to explore the home of one of the world’s great orchestras, then give blood in a setting like no other — featuring Abbott’s innovative mixed reality donation experience, set to an original score recorded by CSO musicians. Donors who give blood on October 17 will receive a voucher for a complimentary pair of tickets to an upcoming concert, available only to participants at the event. Together, we’re creating harmony through giving.
Learn more: CSO records a new score for a video game designed to foster blood donation
Performance and events schedule
Enjoy live music presented by the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO and behind-the-scenes fireside chats in Grainger Ballroom.
Stay tuned for more details in the weeks to come.