Lollapalooza

How it was

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

Lineup

• Lorde — Thu
• John Summit — Thu
• Charli XCX — Fri
• The Smashing Pumpkins — Fri
• Olivia Dean — Sat
• JENNIE — Sat
• Tate McRae — Sun
• The xx — Sun
• Empire of the Sun — Thu
• Wet Leg — Thu
• Blood Orange — Thu
• 5 Seconds of Summer — Thu
• Little Simz — Thu
• Lil Uzi Vert — Fri
• Yungblud — Fri
• Major Lazer — Fri
• Zara Larsson — Fri
• Freddie Gibbs — Fri
• The Neighbourhood — Sat
• Ethel Cain — Sat
• Clipse — Sat
• Wolf Alice — Sat
• Turnstile — Sun
• beabadoobee — Sun
• aespa — Sun
• The Chainsmokers — Sun
• MUNA — Sun

Schedule

1. Jul 30 — Thursday: Gates 11am · Lorde and John Summit close the two main stages
2. Jul 31 — Friday: Gates 11am · Charli XCX and The Smashing Pumpkins close the two main stages
3. Aug 1 — Saturday: Gates 11am · Olivia Dean and JENNIE close the two main stages
4. Aug 2 — Sunday: Gates 11am · Tate McRae and The xx close the two main stages

What to expect

Chicago's biggest festival: four days, eight stages, and 100+ artists across rock, pop, hip-hop, EDM, indie, K-pop, and international music. Gates open at 11am and music ends around 10pm. The full 2026 daily schedule is live, Chow Town's 2026 vendors are announced, and official aftershows run at venues including Metro, House of Blues, The Vic, Lincoln Hall, Schubas, and Concord.

Transit

CTA Red Line → Roosevelt or Harrison; Brown/Orange/Pink/Green → Adams/Wabash. METRA Electric → Van Buren. Buses everywhere. NO driving recommended — Grant Park is locked down. Divvy if biking. Pedestrian-only streets within a wide perimeter all 4 days.

Bag policy

Clear bag policy strictly enforced. TSA-style search. No outside food/drink. Empty plastic water bottles okay. Hydration packs allowed if empty entering. Sealed sunscreen tubes allowed.

Family-friendly

Lollapalooza is all ages. Children 8 and under get in free with a ticketed adult, and Kidzapalooza has daily family programming. The main festival can still be difficult for babies and young children because of heat, sound levels, long walking distances, and dense evening crowds; bring hearing protection and plan an early exit.

History

Lollapalooza began in 1991 as a traveling festival founded by Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, originally conceived as a farewell tour. After a late-1990s hiatus it was revived and reborn as a destination festival in Chicago's Grant Park in 2005, where it has anchored the city's summer — now four days and 100-plus artists — ever since.

Food and drink

• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria — deep-dish pizza
• Billy Goat Tavern — griddle burgers
• Harold's Chicken — fried chicken and fries
• Cafe Tola — Latin street food
• Arepa George — arepas and Latin favorites
• Cheesie's Pub & Grub — grilled-cheese sandwiches
• Dark Matter Coffee — coffee and non-alcoholic drinks
• Original Rainbow Cone — classic Chicago frozen dessert
• Penelope's Vegan Taqueria — plant-based tacos
• BJ's Market & Bakery — chicken and comfort food
• Angelo's Stuffed Pizza — stuffed pizza
• Portillo's — Chicago dogs, burgers, and dessert

Local tips

1. Build your day in the official Lolla app, then screenshot it before entering in case cell service slows down
2. The two official 2026 entrances are Michigan & Ida B. Wells and Monroe & Columbus; do not use old map gate names
3. Lorde and John Summit overlap Thursday at 8:30pm; Charli XCX starts Friday at 8:40pm while The Smashing Pumpkins start at 8:30pm
4. Aftershows are separately ticketed and often sell out quickly — verify the artist, venue, and date on the official aftershows page
5. Free water refill stations are available inside; bring an empty reusable bottle or empty hydration pack
6. The 2026 map is not published yet, so treat any 2025 map as general orientation only

Frequently asked questions

Is Lollapalooza all ages?

Yes — Lollapalooza is an all-ages festival, and children 8 and under get in free with a ticketed adult. Kidzapalooza has its own daily programming.

What's the bag policy?

Clear bags up to 12″ × 6″ × 12″ are allowed, as are small non-clear clutches or fanny packs up to 6″ × 9″ with a single pocket. Backpacks and large multi-pocket bags are prohibited — coming bagless is the fastest way in.

Can I bring water?

Yes — empty reusable water bottles and hydration packs are allowed through the gates; outside food and other outside drinks are not.

What time do gates open?

Festival entrances open at 11 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. each day. First sets start around noon, and headliners go on between 8:30 and 9 p.m.

What is and isn’t allowed inside?

Point-and-shoot cameras, non-aerosol sunscreen, and baby strollers are fine. Professional cameras with detachable lenses, umbrellas, chairs, coolers, and outside food or drink are prohibited.

Can I watch Lollapalooza from home?

Yes — for 2026, all four days livestream globally on Disney+ and Hulu, the first time Lolla streams across both. The broadcast simulcasts performances plus backstage interviews and behind-the-scenes “Live Set” segments from Grant Park; a Hulu or Disney+ subscription is required. The full stream schedule and set times are announced closer to the festival.