The Lollapalooza lineup is here and it is time to start making plans to attend Chicago’s biggest music festival of the year. We have compiled some of the best tips and tricks from around the internet for surviving this four-day festival in our Lollapalooza Music Festival Guide to help you have the best experience at this incredible event.
Start the group chat and get the buzz going with this Lollapalooza Festival Guide from TicketSmarter.
What is Lollapalooza?
Lollapalooza is an annual four-day music festival held in Chicago’s Grant Park. Founded by Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, Lollapalooza began as a touring event in 1991 and chose the Windy City as its permanent home in 2005. The festival features a diverse lineup of more than 150 artists each year across genres like alternative rock, punk rock, hip hop, heavy metal and electronic dance music. Aside from its stacked lineup, Lollapalooza is also known for its art, food and community.
In 2010, Lollapalooza expanded outside the United States for the first time with a festival in Santiago, Chile. Additional events have been held in Brazil, Argentina and Germany.
2024 Lollapalooza Lineup
The four-day Lollapalooza lineup will feature more than nearly 40 acts every day split between nine stages. Festival headliners will appear on the main stage toward the end of the day.
Thursday
Tyler, the Creator and Hozier will headline the first day of Lollapalooza 2024 with support from Lizzy McAlpine along with Kesha, Chappell Roan, Labrinth, Tyla and others.
Friday
Friday’s headliners will be SZA and Stray Kids. Other artists performing that day include Laufey, joined by the Chicago Philharmonic, as well as Renee Rapp, Zedd, Faye Webster and more.
Saturday
The Killers along with Future x Metro Boomin’ will headline Saturday’s shows with Tate McRae, Deftones, Killer Mike and Hippo Campus offering support. That same night, festival-goers can enjoy a special performance by famed EDM artist, Skrillex.
Sunday
Famed rock outfit Blink-182 and Melanie Martinez will headline the final day of Lollapalooza with acts like Conan Gray, Pierce The Veil and Dominic Fike also performing throughout the day.
About Grant Park
Historic Grant Park sits on the shores of Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago and stretches across 319 acres. Named for US President Ulysses S. Grant in 1901, this expansive park contains Millenium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum Campus. Prior to the renaming, it was called Lake Park.
Throughout the year, Grant Park hosts some of the city’s biggest festivals including The Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Jazz Festival and the Grant Park Music Festival. In addition to serving as the Lollapalooza location, Grant Park is the start and finish for the Chicago Marathon and has been the chosen location for several victory parades for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks.
When is Lollapalooza?
Lollapalooza in Chicago is typically held at the end of the summer festival season in August. The 2024 festival will run from Aug. 1-4 with a different lineup performing each day. Lollapalooza tickets go on sale in late March allowing you and your friends plenty of time to plan your trip. Gates will open at 11 a.m. each day and are located at Monroe & Columbus or Michigan & Ida B. Wells.
How Many People Attend Lollapalooza?
Lollapalooza Chicago at Grant Park has a capacity of 100,000 people per day and has historically hit that number for a total of 400,000 in a weekend. Attendance was down slightly in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic but reached capacity again in 2022. Festivalgoers should prepare for capacity crowds and a sold-out show.
Lollapalooza Ticket Information
There are three main choices to make when buying Lollapalooza tickets. First, how many days do you want to attend? Lollapalooza Chicago tickets are sold in 1-Day, 2-Day or 4-Day packages. Next, you and your crew will want to consider the perks involved in each level of the ticket package. There are general admission, GA+, VIP and platinum tickets offered in the 1-Day and 4-Day varieties. The 2-Day tickets are only available as general admission.
- General admission tickets will cover your entry into the festival and grant you access to sponsor areas, concessions, and free water stations.
- GA+ tickets include access to two dedicated lounges with seating and air-conditioned restrooms as well as jumbo screens showing the main stages.
- VIP packages will include on-field viewing of the North and South Main Stages and golf cart shuttle transportation in addition to other benefits.
- Platinum tickets include a dedicated entrance, exclusive front-of-stage viewing, complimentary lockers and presale access to Lolla Aftershows. Make sure to check the Lollapalooza website for more specific information about each level.
The final choice to make is whether you want to splurge for any add-ons like a hotel package, cabana or Lolla Insider pass. Lolla Insider includes access to all areas of the Lollapalooza festival grounds for all four days as well as a personal concierge, one ticket per person to an Official Lollapalooza Aftershow and a commemorative gift.
Transportation to Lollapalooza
There are many options for transportation to Lollapalooza Chicago and Grant Park including public transportation like Chicago Transit Authority and the MetraRail, or rideshare and shuttles. If you choose to drive, there is security-patrolled parking available at the four Millennium Garages near Grant Park. There are also several ways to bike to Lollapalooza with bike valet from ChainLinks or Divvy Bikes.
Lollapalooza Aftershows
This festival is also well-known for its after shows which are scattered around the city at venues like House of Blues, Bottom Lounge, Lincoln Hall and Metro. Lineups for Lollapalooza Aftershows are typically announced at the end of May and are individually ticketed. In 2022, shows were scheduled from Tuesday, July 26, to Sunday, July 31, providing nearly a week of associated programming with artists like Manchester Orchestra, MUNA, Ashnikko and Tove Lo.
What You Can and Cannot Bring into Lollapalooza
Festivalgoers are allowed to bring clear bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” or small purses and fanny packs with no more than one pocket. Baby strollers, blankets, towels and sheets are also allowed. Many guests will pack a day bag with sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars and an empty reusable water bottle. Hydration packs and water enhancers can also help you make it through the hot Chicago summer.
You cannot bring any outside food or beverages into Lollapalooza. Framed backpacks and coolers are also not allowed. For a full list of gate policies, check here.
Tips for the Best Lollapalooza Experience
When you start packing for Lollapalooza, think about what will help you get through a long day or several long days of music. Your top priority should be comfort with shoes you can walk in and things to keep you warm, dry or cool depending on the weather. This could mean packing a jacket or rain poncho as well as a small, battery-powered fan.
Now for the logistics. People in your group may want to see different artists at different times so it may help to sit down and plan out the high-priority shows before you go. This will help you stay organized even if you have trouble communicating by phone on the festival grounds. It may also be wise to plan a meet-up spot where you can rest between sets and regroup.
Can You Camp at Lollapalooza?
There is no Lollapalooza camping but there are several hotels nearby given its convenient location in Grant Park. Check out exclusive hotel deals near Lollapalooza with HotelPlanner.
Get Lollapalooza Tickets
Attend Chicago’s biggest summer music festival with Lollapalooza tickets from TicketSmarter. Choose between single-day or multi-day passes to cater to your experience and ensure the best time at Lolla.
