Orchestra Hall at Chicago Symphony Center at Open House Chicago

2,521-seat Orchestra Hall is home to the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra shared the nearby Auditorium Theatre from 1891 to 1904 before commissioning season ticket-holder Daniel Burnham to design a smaller, more appropriately-sized venue. Originally named after the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s first director Theodore Thomas, Orchestra Hall is now part of the larger Chicago Symphony Center, which was created during 1995-1997 renovations that added a beautiful atrium and new office space. Chicago Symphony Center is also home to the Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Visitors will have access to the Michigan Avenue lobby and Adams Street passage, Orchestra Hall, Richard and Helen Thomas Club, Grainger Ballroom, Ling Z. and Michael C. Markovitz Arcade, Buntrock Hall, Rotunda and the Forte event space. There will be self-guided and station by-station information. Learn and play in the kids’ space in Buntrock Hall (recommended for ages 3-12.), featuring special activities, videos, coloring stations and scavenger hunt worksheets. Enjoy live music presented by the Chicago Symphony Negaunee Music Institute and behind-the-scenes fireside chats in Grainger Ballroom. Participate in a blood drive featuring Abbott’s mixed reality experience with original music performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.