Auditorium Theatre - Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra & The Holiday in Concert Seating Guide

Best Value Tickets (Under $120)

• Mid Balcony Center Left/Right (Rows R/L/M): $112-$114 - Excellent elevated views with full stage visibility. Rows R are back of section but still offer great acoustics for classical performances.
• Dress Circle Left/Right (Rows LL/BB/CC): $112-$114 - Closer to stage than balcony with slightly angled views. Rows BB/CC are mid-section with better sightlines than LL.

Sweet Spot Tickets ($130-$170)

• Front Orchestra Right (Rows B/C): $134-$136 - Close side sections with excellent musician visibility. Row B avoids potential overhang from balcony.
• MBLC (Rows Q/R): $133-$137 - Premium balcony boxes with more legroom and direct center views. Perfect balance of price and viewing angle.
• Front Balcony Left/Right (Rows B/C/I): $143-$146 - Front balcony rows provide outstanding overhead views, especially good for seeing full orchestra formations.

Higher Tier Options ($170-$200)

• FBLC (Rows H/I): $162-$166 - Front balcony center sections offer the clearest overhead sightlines for watching conductor and full ensemble.
• Dress Circle Side (Rows KK/LL): $169-$171 - Premium side boxes with excellent proximity to stage. Slightly restricted side views but incredible acoustics.
• Pit Seating (Rows AAA/CCC/DDD): $174-$176 - Ultra-close for immersive experience. Best for seeing individual musicians but may miss some panoramic effects.

Premium & Last-Minute Options ($270+)

• First Balcony Left/Right (Row H): $273 - Perfect elevation for both visual and audio experience. Center sections at $313 offer best sightlines.
• Orchestra Left/Right (Rows S/X): $307-$340 - Main floor premium seating. Row S puts you at ideal distance to appreciate full orchestra sound.
• Orchester Center (Rows M/X): $506-$681 - The absolute best seats for classical performances with perfect acoustical alignment and unobstructed views of all musicians.

Viewing Recommendations

• For Budget-Conscious Buyers: Mid Balcony Center Rows L-R ($112-114) offer remarkable value with only slightly compromised views.
• Best Overall Experience: FBLC Rows H-I ($162-166) or Front Orchestra Right Rows B-C ($134-136) provide perfect balance of price and premium views.
• VIP Experience: Orchestra Center Rows S-X ($506-681) deliver once-in-a-lifetime seating for true classical music enthusiasts.
• Group Seating: Multiple 4-6 ticket blocks available in Dress Circle and Front Balcony sections at $112-$146 per ticket.

Key View Differences

• Balcony vs Orchestra: Balcony offers better views of full ensemble while orchestra provides closer musician interaction
• Front vs Mid Balcony: Front rows (B-I) eliminate any overhang concerns present in rear balcony rows
• Center vs Side Sections: Center sections maintain perfect symmetry views while side sections may have slight instrument bias
• Pit Seating: Incredibly close but may require some neck craning to see back rows of orchestra

Acoustical Notes

The Auditorium Theatre is renowned for its perfect acoustics. For the Chicago Philharmonic, mid-balcony and dress circle seats (priced $112-$171) offer particularly excellent sound balance, while orchestra seats (priced $174+) provide more intense individual instrument clarity.