Beyond Wonderland Chicago

How it was

This year's edition is over — the lineup, schedule, and notes below are kept as the record of 2026.

Lineup

• DJ Snake — Sat
• Zedd — Sat
• Tiësto — Sun
• Excision — Sun
• Alan Walker — Sun
• Zeds Dead — Sat
• Loud Luxury — Sat
• San Holo — Sat
• Sonny Fodera — Sat
• Layton Giordani — Sat
• Lost Frequencies — Sat
• Adventure Club — Sat
• NOTD — Sat
• Gene Farris B2B Felix Da Housecat — Sat
• Green Velvet — Sun
• Loco Dice — Sun
• Liquid Stranger — Sun
• Kayzo — Sun
• Benny Benassi — Sun
• ACRAZE B2B Wax Motif — Sun
• DJ Seinfeld — Sun
• Kobosil — Sun

Schedule

1. Jun 6 — Saturday: Gates 2pm. Closing sets — DJ Snake (8:55pm) and Zedd (10pm) at Queen's Domain, Zeds Dead (10pm) at Mad Hatter's Castle, Layton Giordani (10pm) at Caterpillar's Garden, San Holo (10pm) at Cheshire Woods.
2. Jun 7 — Sunday: Gates 2pm. Closing sets — Tiësto (9:45pm) and Alan Walker (8:40pm) at Queen's Domain, Excision (10pm) at Mad Hatter's Castle, Green Velvet (9:30pm) at Caterpillar's Garden, Kobosil (10pm) at Cheshire Woods.

What to expect

Two days of EDM with elaborate Alice in Wonderland-themed staging. Multiple immersive stages including Queen's Domain, Mad Hatter's Castle, and Caterpillar's Garden. Event hours 1pm–11pm both days (Box Office/Will Call closes at 10pm). 18+ to enter, 21+ for alcohol/VIP. No re-entry. Outdoor lakefront amphitheater on Northerly Island with skyline + Burnham Harbor + Soldier Field sunset views. Free water refill stations, food and beverage vendors, on-site bars.

Transit

1.1 miles from Roosevelt L station (Red/Orange/Green). 0.9 miles from Museum Campus Metra. CTA bus stops nearby. Bike racks on-site. Driving: limited parking on Northerly Island — use Soldier Field garages and walk south.

Bag policy

Clear bags only, max 12×6×12 inches, or non-clear clutches up to 6×9 inches. TSA-style search (empty pockets, bag inspection, full pat-down possible). Zero tolerance for drugs — police inside and outside event, narcotics laws strictly enforced. Rain or shine.

Family-friendly

18+ — not for kids. Hard skip with the baby.

History

Beyond Wonderland is Insomniac's Alice in Wonderland–themed dance-music festival, and the 2026 Chicago edition is its third — returning to the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on the lakefront for two days across four themed stages: Queen's Domain, Mad Hatter's Castle, Caterpillar's Garden, and Cheshire Woods. The bill leans into Insomniac's house, bass, and big-room EDM curation, with presenters including Bassrush, Day Trip, and Lost In Dreams.

Local tips

1. No train runs onto Northerly Island — the nearest stop is Roosevelt (Red/Green/Orange), about a 15–20 minute walk, and rideshare out is slow and pricey at let-out, so plan to walk back to the L.
2. It's the lakefront in June: a warm afternoon turns cold and windy after dark. Bring a layer or light jacket you won't mind carrying.
3. There is no public parking on the island — take transit, use a rideshare drop-off, or bike in on the Lakefront Trail, which runs right past the venue.
4. Bring an empty reusable bottle or hydration pack (bladder empty on entry) for the free refill stations — water inside is pricey.
5. High-fidelity earplugs (Loop, Eargasm) are worth it across the bass stages and save your hearing over two full days.

Frequently asked questions

What is the age policy?

Beyond Wonderland Chicago is 18+ — no one under 18 is admitted, with or without a guardian. You must be 21+ for alcohol and for the VIP experience.

What's the bag policy?

Clear bags up to 12″ × 6″ × 12″ are allowed, as are non-clear bags up to 6″ × 9″. Hydration packs (bladder empty on entry) are permitted with no size or clarity limit. All bags are searched at the gate.

Can I bring water?

Yes — bring an empty reusable water bottle or hydration pack (it must be empty on entry) and refill inside.

How many stages are there?

Four themed stages: Queen's Domain, Mad Hatter's Castle, Caterpillar's Garden, and Cheshire Woods.

Can I bring totems and PLUR gear?

Yes — festival totems and decorated pool noodles, flags and handmade signs, glowsticks and LED jewelry, hula hoops, and non-professional cameras (no detachable lenses) are all allowed.

What tickets are available?

Two-day passes only — General Admission, GA+, and a 21+ VIP tier; there are no single-day tickets.