Gear up, music fans, Lollapalooza begins when the gates open at 11 a.m. Thursday (and daily). Our tips to help you be prepared:
1. Make a travel plan, then make a backup. With crowds, unpredictable weather and traffic, even the best travel prep can have a way of falling apart. If you’re relying on a meeting time and place, have a Plan B. Know that CTA and Metra trains will be packed after the 10 p.m. close. If you’re planning on doing ride-share, allowed drop-off and pickup points can change depending on police traffic control. Lollapalooza’s guide page (lollapalooza.com/guide) recommends walking west past State Street to hail a ride.
2. Blankets are not allowed this year. According to the festival’s list of allowed and prohibited items on their support page (support.lollapalooza.com), blankets, sheets and towels (along with Frisbees) are newly prohibited for 2023.
3. Bring sunscreen. This one is on every list of tips for attending Lolla and it’s on ours too. One more reason why? Sunscreen is likely not to be found at any of the CVS, Walgreens or convenience stores around Grant Park. In past years, many shelves were bare by the end of Day 1. Also, bring an empty water bottle and stay hydrated, and wear shoes for walking, it’s a full mile from the Bud Light stage to the T-Mobile.
4. Careful with that wristband. Do not put on or tighten your wristband until you’re ready to attend the festival, it can’t be loosened or removed.
5. The “secret” North Entrance is at Columbus Drive and Monroe and can be less crowded. And know the entry and reentry rules. Kids aged 8 and under are free with a paid adult (limit two). Festival patrons can leave and re-enter the festival two times after entering; patrons will scan their wristbands and pass through security each time they re-enter the festival.
6. Yes, you could lose your phone (or wallet, or favorite sunglasses, et cetera, but especially your phone). To be sure, Lollapalooza prioritizes your health, safety and security — see their support page (support.lollapalooza.com) for more information, and you’ll see uniformed police, security and support staff inside the park everywhere. But the pickpocket and snatch-and-grab teams are real. For iPhone users, we recommend this tip by Reddit user zZedLeppelin to prevent thieves from immediately turning off or switching your iPhone to airplane mode to stop it from being tracked. Thieves may be after accounts and personal information stored on your phone more than the device itself.
7. On-site lost-and-found is at the main Guest Services Tent at Columbus and Ida B Wells Drive, and you can also visit lollapalooza.liff.app.
8. Communication in Grant Park can be difficult as local cell service towers become overloaded. The lower-tech the platform (text messaging works well), the better.
9. Read the Lollapalooza guide to attending (lollapalooza.com/guide), get the Lollapalooza mobile app and follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @Lollapalooza. They’re the fest’s most effective means of communicating with you, including during a weather evacuation. Evacuation shelters are located in underground parking garages at Grant Park North (25 N. Michigan Ave.), Grant Park South (325 S. Michigan Ave.) and Millennium Lakeside (5 S. Columbus Drive).
10. Read our Tribune guides to Lollapalooza with music recommendations by critic Britt Julious and Chow Town food tips from Dining.