Whether you're making the trip to Lollapalooza for the first time this weekend or attending for your 10th consecutive year, it's always a good idea to approach the gigantic summer music festival with as much information as possible. Aside from all the exciting bands on the lineup, this year's fest will bring new security procedures and bag restrictions that you'll want to know about before you head out the door. Here's everything you need to know about Lollapalooza 2018.
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When is Lollapalooza?
This year's festival begins on Thursday, August 2 and runs through Sunday, August 5 (yes, it's still four days). Gates open at 11am daily and close at 10pm each night.
Where is Lollapalooza?
Lolla is held in Grant Park, taking over nearly every section of the green space between Monroe Street and Roosevelt Road. The festival's main entrance is located at Ida B. Wells Drive (formerly Congress Parkway) and Michigan Avenue, but it's usually faster to get into the fest at a second entrance located at Monroe Street and Columbus Drive.
What's the best way to get to Lollapalooza?
Grant Park is located just east of the Loop, so the easiest way to get to the festival is by train. If you're heading for the main entrance at Ida B. Wells Drive (formerly Congress Parkway) and Michigan Avenue, take the Blue Line to LaSalle, the Red Line to Harrison or the Brown, Purple, Pink or Orange lines to Harold Washington Library. Going to the Monroe Street and Columbus Drive entrance? Take the Blue or Red lines to Monroe, or the Brown, Green, Pink, Orange or Purple lines to Adams/Wabash.
What's the deal with increased security at Lollapalooza this year?
In the wake of the mass shooting at a country concert in Las Vegas last summer, Lolla has beefed up its security presence. You'll spot more police and security personnel both inside and outside of Grant Park, but the biggest difference will be the new screening procedures at the gate. Attendees will be subject to TSA-style screening before entering the park, including full-body pat-downs, magnetometer screenings and bag searches.
What kind of bags can I bring to Lollapalooza?
Lolla is prohibiting backpacks and any bag larger than 14" x 11" x 5". You'll be allowed to bring in single-pocket drawstring bags, empty hydration packs, small purses and fanny packs. Large backpacks and bags are prohibited, so leave them at home.
Who is playing at Lollapalooza?
More than 180 acts are on the Lollapalooza lineup this weekend, including headlining sets from Jack White, the Weeknd, Bruno Mars, the National, Travis Scott, Arctic Monkeys and Vampire Weekend. There are also a few local acts on the lineup, such as DJ Taye, Valee, Post Animal, Taylor Bennett and Femdot. Find your favorites on the Lollapalooza schedule.
What else is there to do at Lollapalooza?
When you're not watching bands, there are lots of other activities to keep you occupied at Lollapalooza. Head to Chow Town to grab dishes from Chicago restaurants like Billy Goat Tavern, Harold's Chicken, Leghorn, Naf Naf and Graham Elliot, who will be cooking his famous lobster corndog, as usual. You can also go shopping for T-shirts, hats, posters and other festival and band merch at the Lolla Shop, located near Buckingham Fountain. Brands like American Eagle, Toyota, Asics and Fruit of the Loom will set up activations throughout the park, which usually means you can score free swag, charge your phone and take advantage of free Wi-Fi. Check out a complete map of Lollapalooza.
How much are tickets to Lollapalooza?
Single-day general admission tickets to Lolla are $120, but as of this writing, all days except Sunday are sold out. You can still score VIP tickets to the festival for $650 per day, or $2,200 for all four days. If you're really flush, there are also Platinum tickets available, which start at $2,800 per day. They're all available on Lollapalooza's website.
What's the weather going to be like?
The forecast for the weekend is looking hot and humid. According to Accuweather, there's a good chance of a shower or thunderstorm on Thursday afternoon, but the rest of the weekend should be clear (knock on wood). Temperatures will be in the low 80s on Thursday and Friday, rising to the low 90s on Saturday and Sunday. Prepare yourself for long days in the sun with the usual combination of sunscreen and constant water consumption.