Civic Opera House Concert Venue / Theater

Home to the world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Civic Opera House is a flashback to 1920s glamour and was in fact used as inspiration for the opera house in Citizen Kane. Built in 1929, the Art Deco building sits like a giant’s throne on the outskirts of the Loop.

The Civic Opera House’s 3,563-seat theater makes it the second-largest opera theater in North America. Both the auditorium and the grand lobby are unmistakably Art Deco in style, which sets them apart from the usual visions of old-world opera houses.

The Lyric Opera performs about 10 operas a year, with classics like Carmen and some edgier performances. Ticket prices vary widely but start at around $70. Subscription plans, student rates, and membership in the Lyric Opera’s young professionals’ group lead to significant discounts. The Lyric Opera season runs from November through April. In the off-season, other musicians are occasionally booked. Non-opera performers at the Lyric Opera House include Wilco and Andrew Bird.

Tickets are available online or through the Civic Opera House box office. The Opera House has two upscale restaurants on-site, and bar service is available before performances and during intermissions.