Lollapalooza 2023 hits Chicago this weekend: What to know before you go

Lollapalooza 2023 kicks off in Chicago’s Grant Park on Thursday and runs through Sunday. If you’re going to the festival this year, check out our list of how to get downtown and elsewhere all weekend. 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The festival opens at 11 a.m. CST each day. Entrances for the festival are located at Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive and at Monroe Street and Columbus Drive.

Attendees can leave and go back into the festival twice after entering the first time. Each person will scan their wristband and go through security when they re-enter the park. 

GETTING TO THE FESTIVAL:

South Shore Line

Because of expected crowds for the festival, the South Shore Line is temporarily busing riders between the South Bend International Airport and the Gary Metro Center stations from August 3 through 6. This is in addition to ongoing busing between the Gary Metro Center and Carroll Avenue stations.

Trains will not run to and from the Hudson Lake station during the festival weekend.

Bikes are not allowed between the East Chicago and South Bend stations.

The following trains are cancelled this weekend:

• WB Tr 422 and Tr 424
• EB Tr 401, Tr 403, Tr 701 and Tr 703

On Thursday and Friday, an extra eastbound train will leave Millenium Station at 10:40 p.m. (that train will leave the Van Buren Street station at 10:43 p.m.). This train will run nonstop to Hegewisch and will make all local stops before ending at the Gary Metro Center station.

On Saturday and Sunday, Westbound Train 606 and Train 506 will operate Extras for additional riders traveling to Chicago in the morning. Trains 606 and 506 and their Extras will make regular stops to Chicago.

Two extra eastbound trains will leave Millenium Station at the following times on Saturday and Sunday:

• 4:45 p.m. (4:48 p.m. from Van Buren)
• 10:55 p.m. (10:58 p.m. from Van Buren)

These trains will run nonstop to Hegewisch and make all local stops before ending at the Gary Metro Center station.

Alcohol is prohibited on all trains all weekend.

Click here to see train schedules and buy tickets.

Chicago Transit Authority

The CTA’s Red and Blue Lines, as well as all elevated lines in the Loop, are the best options for festival goers during Lollapalooza.

Metra will also provide extra trains with more railcars from August 3 through 6. The CTA and Metra will have sign boards posted to direct riders to the correct bus route. Buses on those routes will also have signs in their windows to show they’re servicing Lollapalooza attendees.

Riders can use the following buses this weekend:

• From Union Station, take #60 Blue Island/26th, #124 Navy Pier, #126 Jackson, #130 Museum Campus or #151 Sheridan
• From the Ogilvie Transportation Center, take the #20 Madison, #56 Milwaukee or #J14 Jeffery Jump

Click here for more information on bus routes this weekend.

Driving

Michiana locals planning to attend the festival should give themselves plenty of time to get to Grant Park and consider using public transit when possible.

Parking

The Millenium Garages are located near Grant Park. These garage, which include the Millennium Lakeside, Millenium Park and Grant Park North garages, will have discounts on parking for up to 24 hours during the festival. The closest garage to the main gate is the Millenium Lakeside Garage.

Click here to buy parking passes.

BAG POLICY:

All bags will be searched before entering the festival. Bags can’t be bigger than 12” x 6” x 12”. Any bag 6” x 9” or smaller doesn’t have to be clear but can’t have more than one pocket. Any bag between 6” x 9” and 12” x 6” x 12” must be clear, can’t have more than two pockets (in addition to the one holding a water reservoir) and must be emptied of all liquid.

Lockers are available to rent throughout the weekend.

The following items are allowed inside the festival:

• Clear bags (see above restrictions)
• Baby strollers
• Binoculars
• Cameras without detachable lenses and other accessories
• Empty reusable water bottles and hydration packs, and plastic or aluminum water bottles
• Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers that are 3.4 ounces or less
• Factory sealed Narcan kit
• Prescription medicine is allowed but the user must present the pharmacy-labeled container to medical staff at each gate. Only a day’s worth of prescription and over-the-counter medicine is allowed inside the gates. Medicines that are inhaled or smoked aren’t allowed unless in a prescribed inhaler.

The following items are NOT allowed inside:

• Aerosol containers
• Blankets, sheets or towels
• Frisbees
• Coolers (unless for medical use)
• Professional audio recording equipment
• Professional cameras
• Hammocks
• Glass containers
• Outside food or drinks
• Umbrellas
• Pets (except service animals)
• Selfie sticks
• Skateboards, scooters, bikes, wagons, carts
• Tents
• Flag poles
• Weapons or explosives
• Fireworks
• Larges chains or spiked jewelry
• Chairs
• Smoking (including vaping)

WRISTBANDS

Lollapalooza wristbands can be activated so festival goers can go cashless all weekend. Click here to learn more. 

Click here for more information on Lollapalooza 2023.