The Grant Park Music Festival announced Wednesday that its president, Paul Winberg, will step down in the spring of 2026.
Winberg has served as president and CEO since 2011. The festival, which puts on Chicago’s free outdoor classical music series every summer at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, said in the announcement that its board of directors has begun a national search for his replacement.
“Paul Winberg has been an extraordinary leader for the Grant Park Music Festival,” said board chair Adam Grais in part in a statement. “His vision and dedication has helped transform the festival, expanding its reach, strengthening its financial foundation, and solidifying its place as a cherished cultural institution in Chicago.”
Winberg first joined the festival as an intern more than 25 years ago. During his leadership tenure, he finalized its transition from a longstanding department of the Chicago Park District to an independent cultural nonprofit, and more recently oversaw the selection of Giancarlo Guerrero as its new principal conductor and artistic director to succeed long-time conductor Carlos Kalmar. Winberg will remain in his role through the spring of 2026.
dgeorge@chicagotribune.com
