Article by Amanda Martin
For music lovers from Chicago and beyond, Lollapalooza is more than another music festival: it’s the cultural event of the summer. This year marks the 21st year of its Grant Park residency, and in this article we’ll share everything you need to know about one of Chicago’s biggest annual events: from top performer spotlights and after-hours shows to road closures and what to plan for if you’re attending.
📅 Festival Hours & Entry Info
The festival begins on Thursday, July 31 and runs through Sunday, August 3, when hundreds of thousands of people will flood Grant Park for Lolla’s iconic music, food, views, and vibes.
Gates open at 11 AM and the festival ends each night around 10 PM, but afterparty concerts carry on at venues across the city into the early morning hours.
A Look Back: The Evolution of Lollapalooza
Originally launched in 1991 as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction, Lollapalooza has since evolved into one of the largest and most influential music festivals in the country. After a few years as a traveling tour, the event found its permanent home in Chicago’s Grant Park in 2005, and the city hasn’t looked the same since.
Now drawing over 400,000 people and generating more than $440 million in economic impact, Lollapalooza has become a defining part of Chicago’s summer. And in 2025, the festival continues to expand, offering a weekend-long celebration of music, food, culture, and sustainability.
🌟 This Year’s Headliners & Standout Performances
The tradition of inclusivity remains a hallmark of the festival’s lineups. Lollapalooza 2025 features 170 artists on 8 stages over its four-day run, boasting household names alongside up-and-coming and local acts.
Even after over 30 years of Lollapaloozas, there are still firsts. This year, Luke Combs has the distinction of being the festival’s first headlining country artist, and TWICE will be the first female K-pop group with a headlining spot.
Hometown artists this year include The Blessed Madonna, Jane Remover, Kaicrewsade, Ratboys, and Ravyn Lenae.
Luke Combs becomes the first country artist to ever headline Lollapalooza, while TWICE makes history as the festival’s first female K-pop headliner. Other major acts include Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Korn, Sabrina Carpenter, and A$AP Rocky, plus a full roster of Chicago-born talent, including Ravyn Lenae, Ratboys, The Blessed Madonna, and Kaicrewsade.
2025 Headliners by Day:
Thursday, July 31:
Tyler, The Creator, Luke Combs, Gracie Abrams, Cage the Elephant
Friday, August 1:
Olivia Rodrigo, Korn, T-Pain, Bleachers, Wallows
Saturday, August 2:
Rüfüs Du Sol, TWICE, Doechii, Marina
Sunday, August 3:
Sabrina Carpenter, A$AP Rocky, Martin Garrix, Dominic Fike
With eight stages and over 170 artists scheduled, there’s something for every genre-lover at Lolla.
🎉 Afterparties & Late-Night Lolla Shows
Lollapalooza Aftershows take over 25 Chicago venues, starting Wednesday, July 30 through Sunday, August 3. Catch performances by headliners like Cage the Elephant at the Salt Shed, Bleachers at the Metro, and dozens more.
If you can’t make it to Grant Park proper, chances are a slice of Lolla is coming to your neighborhood. The Aragon, Schubas, Reggies, Thalia Hall, Sleeping Village, the Empty Bottle, and the Subterranean are just a few of the participating concert halls welcoming Lollapalooza fans for after-hours music.
🍔 Where to Eat: Chow Town, Plant-Based & Dessert Island
Lollapalooza has evolved into so much more than just music, the food scene is almost as important as the music. The main food area, called Chow Town, boasts a variety of well-known and niche Chicago vendors, bringing in a curated selection of Chicago’s top restaurants, and features everything from pizza and burgers to globally inspired bites and festival classics.
In 2024, the festival debuted Plant-Based, a section dedicated to 100% plant-based food and beverage options, as well as a non-alcoholic bar.
For those with a sweet tooth, Dessert Island is exactly what it sounds like, with a wide variety of sugary delights.
Though this year’s vendor list hasn’t been announced yet, expect long-time favorites and fresh newcomers alike to fill out the culinary lineup.
📸 Pop-Ups, Brand Activations & Instagram Moments
Pop-up brand activations are sprinkled throughout to enjoy between sets and snacks. Take a break between sets and wander through one of the many immersive pop-up activations scattered throughout Grant Park. This year Hulu and CRED are confirmed to host pop-ups, with more to be announced. Expect immersive experiences, interactive games, and Instagrammable photo ops.
🌱 Going Green: Sustainability at Lollapalooza
Large-scale events like Lolla carry major environmental responsibility, and this festival continues to lead in this area. In fact, Lollapalooza received the Illinois Sustainability Award for its eco-friendly practices. Hundreds of thousands of people over a few days can do a lot of damage and create literal tons of waste if the festival organizers do not plan thoughtfully.
Lollapalooza’s award-winning set-ups include Hydration Stations, allowing attendees to bring an empty water bottle to fill throughout the day for free, cutting down on plastic water bottle waste. There are composting and recycling areas throughout the park, and the festival utilizes biodiesel fuel and a hybrid battery system on the main stage to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
🚧 Road and Sidewalk Closures, and What to Expect Downtown
Festival-related street and sidewalk closures begin July 16 and continue as late as August 10 to support the set-up and tear-down in Grant Park. Expect major disruptions, and plan ahead to avoid delays.
Street Closures
Balbo (Columbus → DuSable Lake Shore Drive): July 16 – August 10
Jackson (Columbus → DuSable Lake Shore Drive): July 22 – August 9
Balbo & Jackson (Michigan → Columbus): July 28 – August 4
Columbus (Monroe → Roosevelt): July 28 – August 4
Northbound Columbus (13th St → Roosevelt): same dates
Congress Plaza Drive (Michigan → Columbus): July 28 – August 4
Monroe (Michigan → DuSable): July 30 – August 4
Sidewalk Closures
Michigan (Jackson → 11th St Bridge): July 29 – August 3
Balbo, both sides (Columbus → DuSable): July 16 – August 10
Columbus (Roosevelt → Ida B. Wells): July 16 – August 8
Columbus southbound (9th St Yard → Ida B. Wells): July 21 – August 9
Jackson (Columbus → DuSable): July 21 – August 9
DuSable Lake Shore Drive northbound: July 23 only
Monroe eastbound: July 19, July 21 – August 9
DuSable Lake Shore Drive southbound: July 26 – August 9
What This Means
Locals Be Advised:
- Drones are prohibited within 1nm during festival hours
- The tennis and pickleball courts will be closed 7/16 – 8/5
- The dog park will be closed 7/16 – 8/9
- Expect increased safety presence: increased EMTs, medics, “SAFEFEST” crews, naloxone available, plus app alerts and weather shelters
Lake Shore Drive will not be an option for pick-ups and drop-offs. This will be enforced daily during event hours. Choose a drop-off or pick-up spot west of State Street or on Congress Parkway to avoid congestion closer to the entrances. When leaving the park, consider exiting south at Roosevelt to avoid a bottleneck at the main entrances. The ADA entrance is located on Monroe east of Michigan.
Festival boundaries are cordoned off, so be sure to keep an eye out for signs and directions to approved rideshare pickup locations. To request your ride after the concert, exit the park and walk west of State Street.
Expect heavier traffic after shows, especially near Michigan Ave. Historically, there have been few reports of major delays for locals until the night’s headliners wrap up.
Pro tip: If you’re leaving the park, exit south toward Roosevelt instead of Michigan Avenue to avoid bottlenecks.
🚇 Getting to Lollapalooza: Skip the Uber
Rideshare drop-offs are restricted, so plan to arrive by public transit or bike.
Go by CTA or Metra: skip the rideshare crowd entirely and opt for public transportation. Be sure to download or update your Ventra app and check your balance before your trip.
Metra:
Check the schedule for added service during the festival, and note that alcohol will not be allowed on trains during Lollapalooza weekend. Purchase your train fare ahead of time on the Ventra app.
CTA Rail:
All rail lines downtown will bring you close to Grant Park.
Elevated Loop Trains (Brown, Purple, Orange, Green, and Pink): exit at either Washington/Wabash or Adams/Wabash and walk east
Red and Blue Lines: exit at Jackson and walk east
Yellow Line trains will extend service until roughly 1 AM
CTA Bus:
Various bus routes will connect between Metra trains at Chicago Union Station or Ogilvie Transportation Center with Grant Park.
From Union Station, take the #126 Jackson
From Ogilvie Transportation Center, take the #J14 Jeffery Jump
Bike Valet:
Ride your bike! Lollapalooza has teamed up with REVERB and will be offering a complimentary bike valet, just make sure to bring your lock.
As a regular Chicagoan going about their regular life, it’s easy to consider any shake-up to the routine a nuisance. Fair enough. But if it’s at all possible to shift your perspective and view this and all special citywides as an opportunity to share the love we all have for this amazing place, do it. This is a world-class series of concerts, in a world-class park, in a world-class city, and at the end of it all, it’s a beautiful privilege to enjoy the sunny days when the snowy inevitable is ever lurking in the future.
Happy summer, Chicago!
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