Before they crowd the Grant Park gates, festival fanatics are sure to line up at the LollaShop when it opens on Friday, a week before the music and the madness of Lollapalooza begins.
The pop-up at Block 37 (108 N State Street) opens for the fourth year in a row, just in time for fans to get limited edition festival gear—from a sweet pair of Lolla-inspired kicks by BucketFeet to a custom Grand Trunk hammock.
Friday’s shoppers can also enter to win $500 in merchandise, and early birds can fill up on mimosas and pastries from Robert Mondavi and La Boulangerie from 10am–noon. Lollapalooza artist Zebo will DJ to kick off LollaShop Happy Hour, where fans can meet the festival’s 2015 poster artist Tony Fitzpatrick, aka Mr. Chicago, from 5–8pm.
And you don't have to have tickets to shop. You can still score collectible Lollapalooza merchandise before the main event. Additional limited edition merch will include hats from the 2015 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Cubs, New Era and Grassroots California, as well as Grand Trunk blankets, Brooklyn Cloth Apparel and Souldier guitar straps. Get a free gift with any purchase over $25.
LollaShop will also host mini-boutiques with many of its partners, including Tom’s, Flash Tattoos, Festy Besty, Chi Chi Sport, and Dtox Designs. Beginning Thursday, July 30, through the Lollapalooza weekend, Blowtique’s braid bar will offer hairstyles, hair chalking and flower crown accessories too.
The grand opening takes place Friday from 10am–8pm. You can stock up at the LollaShop anytime through Monday, August 3. Hours are Monday–Saturday, 10am–8pm, and Sunday, noon–7pm, except during the festival, when you can shop Friday–Sunday from 9am–8pm.
The 11th annual Lollapalooza in Chicago takes over Grant Park Friday, July 31–Sunday, August 2 and features headliners Paul McCartney, Metallica and Florence and the Machine.