A Texan’s Lollapalooza survival guide 2025
Unfamiliar with public transit or walkable streets? Terrified of skyscrapers taller than any medical center building? Fear not. This lifelong (for all intents and purposes) Texan was technically born in the Chicago area and is here to keep you alive, hydrated and — ideally — in possession of all your belongings during Lollapalooza. Grant Park opens its gates July 31 through Aug. 3 for Lollapalooza’s annual marathon of music, heat and inevitable port-a-potty searching. Pack your reusable bottle, channel some “Culture of Care” and hit the rail.
Tip #1: Pack Light, Pack Clear
Lolla’s bag policy is strict, so keep it simple. Clutch purses or fanny packs under 6-by-9 inches are acceptable, while anything larger must be a clear tote no bigger than 12-by-6-by-12. Hydration packs and reusable bottles are welcome as long as they enter the park bone-dry. Inside that see-through sack, stash travel-size sunscreen, a pocket pack of tissues and mini hand sanitizer in case the Port-a-Potties run out of soap. Leave aerosols, blankets, umbrellas, selfie sticks and pro-grade cameras at home.
Tip #2: Getting There Without Melting
Skip the surge-priced rideshares and embrace Chicago’s public transit. The Red and Blue Lines run all night, and any elevated line ringing the Loop deposits you within a five-minute walk of the gates. Metra trains added late departures all weekend, while a free bike valet sits just south of the main entrance. Drivers determined to park should book Millennium Garages ahead of time and punch in promo code LOLLA25 for a small discount.
Tip #3: Navigating the Beast
First, download the Festiverse app — set times, emergency alerts and live map updates are lifesavers. Main Gate congestion peaks around 5-6 p.m., so aim for a midday arrival or slide through the Monroe Street entrance up north. Pick a hard-to-miss landmark like Buckingham Fountain as your group’s fallback rendezvous. Water stations flank every stage, so refill often and treat a shade break like a second major set.
Tip #4: Chow Town & Beyond
Inside the fest you’ll find Chow Town’s local-chef stalls, Dessert Island’s sugar rush and a spread of vegan fare at Plant Base. If $18 tenders aren’t your vibe, take advantage of the two re-entries allowed each day. A five-minute stroll lands you Cubanos at Cafecito, sushi rolls and smoothies at Osaka Sushi or Chicago-dog perfection at Devil Dawgs. Deep-dish disciples can trek 10 minutes south to Lou Malnati’s before sprinting back for the next headliner.
Tip #5: The Party and the After-Party
When the park shuts down at 10 p.m., the real scavenger hunt begins. Bottom Lounge in the West Loop hosts official aftershows featuring festival artists like Glass Beams and Joey Valence & BRAE (and sells pizza until 1 a.m.). Metro/Smartbar in Wrigleyville usually lands a big EDM name, while House of Blues downtown is notorious for unannounced pop-star cameos. Tickets disappear quickly, so monitor Lolla’s afterparty list and keep one eye on artists’ Instagram stories for secret sets.
Tip #6: POV: You’re there just for the headliner
Want barricade real estate for Tyler, the Creator? Show up by noon, sprint to the stage, plant feet. Accept that you won’t pee, eat or move for eight hours. If you’re in a group, have your friends save your spot while you eat or go to the bathroom. Make friends with your neighbors; they’re your new family until confetti falls. If you want to check out other artists that are not playing at your favorite headliner’s stage, you should! While you may not get a barricade spot, getting back to your headliner’s stage around 5-6 p.m. will allow you to have a pretty good view of whatever antics A$AP Rocky or Sabrina Carpenter get up to.
Tip #7: Weather Curveballs
The temperature looks like it’ll range from the low-mid 60s at night to high 70s in the afternoon. This is pretty great for a summer festival, but applying sunscreen every set change is still recommended. There is currently no rain forecasted for the weekend (fingers crossed and knock on wood), but just in case, pack a poncho. Umbrellas are banned. Chicago storms dump sideways, it’s the windy city after all.
Tip #8: HAVE FUN!
If you’re a fan of music, there’s going to be so much to love this weekend. Make the most of it, explore Chi-Town and enjoy the moment with your friends, old and new.
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