Thousands are set to descend on Chicago's Grant Park for the annual Lollapalooza music festival.
Whether you're going or trying to avoid it, there are some things you should know.
Street Closures
- Columbus Drive is closed from Monroe Street to Roosevelt Road.
- Balbo Drive and Jackson Boulevard are closed from Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive
- Ida B. Wells Drive (including the Circle) is closed from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive
- Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to Lake Shore Drive will be closed through Friday, Aug. 9
Alternate routes
Lake Shore Drive or State Street can be used as alternate routes around the festival crowds and closures. Organizers will re-open Jackson Boulevard from Columbus Drive to Lake Shore Drive for Thursday morning rush hour on Aug. 8 and will implement intermittent closures after rush hour concludes on Aug. 8-9 for equipment load-out.
Rideshare and taxis
For those traveling to and from the event by rideshare, taxi or car service, drop offs/pick-ups will be prohibited between 14th Street to Wacker Drive and State Street to Lake Shore Drive.
Local
Public Transportation
The Metra commuter train and the CTA subway agencies will expand capacity.
Metra will add trains and adjust schedules on most lines for the four-day event. CTA will add service on rail lines and bus routes.
Weather Shelters
Emergency evacuation shelter sites are located in the Grant Park North, Grant Park South and Millennium Lakeside Garages. The evacuation shelter sites can be accessed through the vehicle entrance on Michigan Avenue. The designated extreme weather shelters are used for extreme conditions such as lightning, tornadoes, hail storms or other weather events. In the event of a weather evacuation, all attendees should follow the instructions of public safety officials. Shelter locations will be opened only in cases of extreme weather to ensure the safety of event patrons. For a map of shelter locations and additional safety information, click here.
Security
Safety and security is the "top priority" at this year's Lollapalooza Music Festival, city officials said Monday. For a festival of this magnitude, officials say the city began to refine its security plan the moment last year's event ended. Around 900 private security officers from three companies will show a strong uniformed presence, in addition to Chicago police officers. Undercover officers will be on hand as well, plus visible measures like cameras, metal detectors, jersey walls and even salt trucks.
What you can and can't bring inside
Items that are allowed inside include: small totes and drawstring bags, empty bottles and hydration packs, strollers, blankets, basic cameras, sealed sunscreen.
Things that are prohibited: backpacks/large bags, cigarettes/vaping devices/drugs, professional video equipment and camera accessories, frisbees, umbrellas, outside food, coolers, fliers, stickers, bike chains, wallet chains.
Lineup
The lineup at Lollapalooza this year includes Ariana Grande, Lil Wayne, The Strokes and over 150 other performers. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend each day.
See the full line up here.
After Shows
Click here for a full list of after shows.
Health
Dehydration is one of many things that physicians are concerned about at the four-day event.
“Outdoors, you’re exposed to heat and exhaustion, and sometimes you don’t realize the amount of fluid you’re losing,” Dr. Lewis said.
Drug consumption is also an issue at the event, with a teen from Midlothian dying last summer after ingesting ecstasy at Lollapalooza.
In fact, over 200 people were hospitalized at hospitals in Stroger Hospital’s network alone, according to officials, with issues ranging from dehydration to excessive drug use being reported.
Music fans are allowed to bring in sealed sunscreen, empty bottles, and hydration packs, and physicians encourage everyone coming to the event to make sure to bring those items to help stay safe and healthy.
