Following the success of GANGGANG’S I Made Rock ‘N Roll Festival in May, some Hoosiers may want to scratch their music festival itch again before the summer ends.
Lucky for them, Lollapalooza is right around the corner. The music festival, which got its start in 1991, takes place in the heart of Chicago at the historic Grant Park every year. More than 170 local, national and global artists perform across eight stages for four days of music in front of the backdrop of Lake Michigan.
So, Hoosiers, if you are looking for a quick trip north, here’s everything you need to know before attending Lollapalooza 2024.
When is Lollapalooza 2024?
This year’s festival takes place Aug. 1-4. 2024. Gates open each day at 11 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. at the end of each night.
The main entrance is located at Michigan Avenue & Ida B. Wells Drive and the North entrance is at Monroe Street & Columbus Drive. A map of the festival can be found here.
How do I get tickets?
Lollapalooza offers a range of tickets including 1-day, 2-day and 4-day passes, cabanas and Lolla Insider passes and hotel packages. General admission (GA) for a 1-day ticket is $155, while GA+, VIP and Platinum tickets range from $280-$2,020. GA 2-day tickets are $313.
GA for 4-day tickets are currently sold out; however, 4-day GA+ starts at $775, VIP is $1,670 and Platinum is $4,500. Tickets are available at lollapalooza.com/tickets.
Children 8-years-old and younger are free when accompanied by one ticket-holding adult.
The box office is at Michigan Avenue and South Ida B. Wells Drive and is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug.1-4. Guests may pick up Will Call orders, upgrade tickets and get support for Ticketmaster Verified Ticket Exchange.
Wristbands will be mailed prior to the festival and must be worn securely on the wrist for the duration of the festival for same-day exit and re-entry. Guests may re-enter twice per day. Wristband Assistance, for those who are having issues with or need a replacement, can be found at the corner of Michigan Avenue and North Ida B. Wells Drive.
What’s the festival lineup look like?
Lollapalooza incorporates more than 170 artists from around the world, and this year’s headlining artists include Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, SZA, Stray Kids, The Killers, Future X Metro Boomin, Blink-182 and Melanie Martinez.
The full festival line-up can be viewed here. A schedule for each day can be found here.
Festival policies
Lollapalooza has a clear bag policy, and all bags will be searched upon entry. Bags larger than 6” x 9” must be clear and smaller than 12” x 6” x 12”. Clutch purses and fanny packs 6″ x 9″ or smaller don’t have to be clear but can’t have more than one pocket.
Items allowed inside the festival include baby strollers, binoculars, cameras without detachable lenses or other accessories, empty reusable water bottles and hydration packs, plastic or aluminum water bottles, non-aerosol sunscreen 3.4 oz or less and factory sealed naloxone and Narcan kits.
Guests may not bring blankets, glass items, fireworks, outside food or beverages, pets (excluding service animals), chairs or coolers, weapons or explosives or illicit substances; any form of vaping and smoking is prohibited in all Chicago parks.
Professional cameras are prohibited except for members of the media with a photo wristband. For a full list of what is not allowed at Lollapalooza, check here.
Food and drinks
A variety of local food venders will be onsite during the festival as part of Lollapalooza’s food court Chow Town. There will be four Chow Town locations, as well as a Dessert Island, Plant Base, which will feature gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, and Vibe Village. To view a list of food vendors, visit lollapalooza.com/chow-town.
Travel and transportation
The CTA, Metra and Pace aim to make getting to Lollapalooza easy. Guests can use the Regional Transportation Authority’s trip planner to schedule rides.
However, festival goers are encouraged to bike to the festival, if possible. For the duration of Lollapalooza, Divvy is offering one free ride (up to $5) for Divvy and Lyft app users with the code LOLLA2024. There will also be a Divvy bike valet located at 8th Street and Michigan Avenue to aid with parking.
Guests may also use a rideshare through providers such as Uber and Lyft. Pickups may be requested when leaving the festival by exiting Grant Park and walking west of State Street. The streets will be incredibly busy for the duration of the festival weekend, so requesting a drop off a few blocks a way could make getting in and out a bit quicker.
For festival goers who are driving, Lollapalooza offers several options for parking, including Millennium Lakeside Garage, Millennium Park Garage, Grant Park North and Grant Park South. Daily spots are $20, and guests can reserve a parking spot in one of the four garages at millenniumgarages.com/lollapaloozaparking and receive 10% off when using the code LOLLA2024 at checkout.
Where can I stay?
Chicago has a variety of hotels throughout the city that offer parking, transportation or are located near the O’Hare or Midway airport, train station or along bus routes. To view available rooms and book a stay for Lollapalooza, visit crewfare.com/events/lollapalooza. Festival goers can also check Airbnb for a place to stay around The Loop, which is within walking distance of the Grant Park.
Security, safety and accessibility
Everyone attending the festival is subject to a complete “airport-style” search prior to entry, including a full body pat-down and magnetometer screening. Uniformed security will be onsite, and hydration and first-aid stations will be stationed throughout the grounds.
The ADA Accessibility Center will be in front of Buckingham Fountain on Columbus Drive. For more information about accessibility, check here.
Otherwise, proper festival etiquette is the way to go — this means watch out for other attendees, be considerate, use the buddy system, have emergency contact information readily available, be aware of surroundings and keep personal belongings within sight. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and wear hearing protection.
For more information, visit lollapalooza.com or follow along on X, Facebook and Instagram @lollapalooza.
The Indianapolis Recorder will be onsite covering Lollapalooza 2024. Follow along at indianapolisrecorder.com for updated stories, artist interviews and set reviews.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
