Lollapalooza is about to take over Chicago's Grant Park, and whether you're going or not, there are some things you need to know about the massive music festival.
The four-day music event kicks off Thursday, marking the start of 170 performances set to hit Chicago stages -- and that's not even including the after-shows.
From street closures to transportation to security, here are some things to know ahead of the major musical gathering.
HOW TO GET THERE
City officials are urging Lolla-goers to use public transportation to get to and from the festival.
Both Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority said they plan to offer extra service throughout the Chicago area during the event.
Beginning Thursday, Metra said extra trains with expanded passenger capacity will be available and some schedules will be adjusted to fit the increased number of riders.
The CTA will also add service on both rail lines and bus routes, including routes that bring riders from Union Station or Ogilvie Transportation Center to Grant Park.
“Without a doubt, public transit is the fastest, most convenient and most affordable way to visit Lollapalooza,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr.
Local
Lollapalooza also said it is offering shuttles and daily buses to the fest via Fanzone.
Uber is encouraging festivalgoers to make sure they double check their driver's info before getting into cars as "there will be multiple people requesting rides." The company also said traffic will be "crazier than usual" and riders will want to double check the cost of their ride before accepting.
STREET CLOSURES
Street closures for Lollapalooza include:
- Columbus from Monroe to Roosevelt
- Jackson from Michigan to Columbus
- Congress from Michigan to Columbus
- Balbo: Columbus to Lake Shore Drive (will remain closed through Aug. 10
SCHEDULE
MUSE and Lorde helm Day 1 alongside Porter Robinson and Lil Uzi Vert, who reportedly jumped from a 20-foot tent into the crowd at the Rolling Loud music festival.
Second-day headliners include Lollapalooza alumns Crystal Castles, as well as Blink-182, The Killers and DJ Snake, capping a day of festival favorites and indie stars like Phantogram, Foster the People, Run the Jewels and Tegan and Sara.
Chicagoans should pay extra attention to the Saturday night lineup as hometown hero Chance the Rapper headlines the day at 8:30 p.m. on the Grant Park stage. Among many others of note are the XX, Mac DeMarco, Kaskade, Sylvan Esso, Warpaint, Vance Joy, Alt-J and Glass Animals.
Get ready for some of the hardest decisions on the final night. Arcade Fire, Justice, Rae Sremmurd and Zeds Dead all overlap for the last hurrah between 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
For the full schedule, click here.
LINEUP
For the annual music festival’s 26th anniversary, 170 artists and bands will play on eight stages for four days of acts and performances.
See the full lineup here.
WHAT CAN YOU BRING?
Everyone who enters the festival is subject to "a full and complete search." That includes a full body pat-down and magnetometer screening.
All bags will also be searched.
Here's a look at things you can bring:
- Bags – 18 L sized bags or smaller (roughly 1000 cubic inches or 10” x 10” x 10”)
- Strollers
- Binoculars
- Blankets, Sheets, Towels
- Cameras (basic point and shoot consumer-grade cameras) without detachable lenses and other accessories (monopods, selfie sticks, tripods, GoPro mounts, and other attachments are not allowed)
- GoPro cameras without accessories
- Sealed sunscreen lotion (no aerosol containers)
- Empty hydration packs and water bottles (plastic or aluminum). Max size 36oz. for Yeti type hydration rambler (www.yeti.com/rambler)
- Water – you may bring two factory sealed bottles of water (up to 1 liter each) and refill them throughout the day at our free water filling stations
- No E-Cigs or Vaping devices
- Aerosol containers (including sunscreen and personal beauty products)
- Any and all professional audio recording equipment
- Any and all professional video equipment – no video recording will be allowed
- Professional cameras (any camera with the option to detach a lense)
- Any and all camera accessories, such as selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, go pro mounts and attachments, detachable lenses, or other commercial equipment
- Drones or any other remote flying device
- Totems, Flags, Banners
- Coolers of any kind (exceptions may be made for medical use)
- Bags larger than 18 L (roughly 1000 cubic inches or 10” x 10” x 10”)
- Framed backpacks
- Hammocks
- Glass Containers
- Firearms, explosives, and weapons of any kind (including pocket knives, pepper spray, fireworks, etc)
- Illegal and Illicit substances of any kind
- Drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Outside food or beverage (including alcohol) of any kind, except 2 factory sealed bottles of water (up to 1 liter each)
- Umbrellas
- Professional-grade radios or walkie-talkies
- Pets (except for service animals)
- Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons, carts (including red wagons) or any personal motorized vehicles
- Tents, canopies, or shade structures of any kind
- Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors are not allowed. No unauthorized solicitation and materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, giveaways, samples, etc.
- Large wallet and waist chains that exceed 12 inches in length and width of 1 inch
- Bicycle chains and other such chains will not be allowed
- Bicycles inside the festival grounds (free parking is available near festival entrance)
- No Chairs of any kind
- No Inflatable furniture. Rafts, chairs, etc.
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
The Better Business Bureau is warning fans to watch out for fake tickets.
"Fake concert tickets and wristbands have never been easier to manufacture, and whenever there's excitement about a special event, especially a sold-out festival like Lollapalooza, there are counterfeiters who want to take advantage," Steve Bernas, president and CEO of BBB said in a statement.
Buyers should also beware of where they are buying their tickets, the BBB says, adding that a safe place should always be agreed on.
Here are some tips for what to do if you're buying or selling a first-party ticket:
- Purchase from the venue or trusted vendors. Venue tickets for Lollapalooza are sold out, but if you do try and buy from an outside source, only purchase from trusted vendors.
- A common scam trick is to create a web address that is similar to a well-known company.
- Check out the seller/broker at http://bbb.org/ask/chicago.
- Know the refund policy.
- Use payment methods that come with protection - never pay with cash!
AFTER PARTIES
With performances by Foster the People, the Head and the Heart, Tegan and Sara, Zeds Dead, the Shins and more, it appears the party doesn't stop in Grant Park.
