Gear up, music fans, Lollapalooza begins when the gates in Grant Park open at 11 a.m. Thursday (and daily), running through Sunday night. Our tips to help you be prepared:
1. Weather is here. For the most part, the festival continues rain or shine, so come prepared with ponchos and boots if it rains. Vendors and convenience stores outside the grounds sell ponchos, but subject to price and availability. Umbrellas are on the list of items not allowed (and same with blankets again this year). Organizer C3 Presents recently spoke to the Tribune about how the festival responds to severe weather, and notes on its website that three nearby garages serve as evacuation sites: Grant Park North (25 N. Michigan Ave.), Grant Park South (325 S. Michigan Ave.) and Millennium Lakeside (5 S. Columbus Drive). Assuming the park can reopen, updated set times will be available in the Lolla Mobile App, on the schedule page of the website and via social media.
2. Make a travel plan, then make a backup. With crowds, unpredictable weather and traffic, even the best travel prep can have a way of falling apart. If you’re relying on a meeting time and place, have a Plan B. Know that CTA and Metra trains will be packed after the 10 p.m. close. If you’re planning on doing ride-share, allowed drop-off and pickup points can change depending on police traffic control. Lollapalooza’s travel guide page (support.lollapalooza.com) recommends walking west past State Street to hail a ride.
3. Bring sunscreen. This one is on every list of tips for attending Lolla and it’s on ours too. One more reason why? Sunscreen is likely to sell out quickly at the CVS, Walgreens and convenience stores around Grant Park. In past years, many shelves were bare by the end of Day 1. (Only small, non-aerosol containers are allowed.) Also, bring an empty water bottle and stay hydrated, and wear shoes for walking, it’s a full mile from the Bud Light stage to the T-Mobile.
4. Careful with that wristband. Do not put on or tighten your wristband until you’re ready to attend the festival, it can’t be loosened or removed. Also, you can activate your wristband to use it as a cashless payment. More wristband help at support.lollapalooza.com.
5. The “secret” North Entrance is at Columbus Drive and Monroe and can be less crowded. And know the entry and reentry rules. Festival patrons can leave and re-enter the festival two times after entering; patrons will scan their wristbands and pass through security each time they re-enter the festival. Daily capacity inside the fences increased to 115,000 last summer, up from 100,000 in previous years.
6. Yes, you could lose your phone (or wallet, or favorite sunglasses, et cetera, but especially your phone). To be sure, Lollapalooza prioritizes your safety — see their Health, Safety and Security page for more information, and you’ll see uniformed police, security and support staff inside the park everywhere, but the pickpocket and snatch-and-grab teams are real. Don’t put your wallet or phone in a backpack or back pocket. For iPhone users, turn on Stolen Device Protection, and we recommend this tip by Reddit user zZedLeppelin to prevent thieves from immediately turning off your iPhone to stop it from being tracked. Thieves may be after accounts and personal information stored on your phone more than the device itself. On-site lost-and-found is at the main Guest Services Tent at Columbus and Ida B Wells Drive, and register at lollapalooza.liff.app.
7. For families, children ages 8 and younger are admitted free with a ticket-holding adult (limit two). Strollers are allowed. Learn more about Tag-A-Kid. And the Kidzapalooza stage is back for 2024, with performers including Chicago’s Q Brothers. Nearby is the Family Services tent (open noon to 6 p.m. daily).
8. Communication in Grant Park can be difficult as local cell service towers become overloaded. The lower-tech the platform (text messaging works well), the better. Also, get the Lollapalooza mobile app and follow the festival on Facebook, X and Instagram at @Lollapalooza.
9. Lockers can be reserved in advance. Mobile chargers are available to rent inside the festival while supplies last, or bring your own. Fest-goers also recommend wet wipes, bucket hats, ear plugs (also available at Guest Services), a paper printout of the daily’s schedule.
10. Read our Tribune guide to Lollapalooza with music recommendations by critic Britt Julious.
