Posted 5 years ago in Trending, Arts and Culture
4 MIN READ - The 2019 Lollapalooza lineup was announced today, and as usual, you are not going to want to miss these artists—including Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, Twenty One Pilots, The Strokes, The Chainsmokers, Lil Wayne, Janelle Monáe, Kacey Musgraves, and more.
Four-day tickets, from $350 general admission passes to $4,200 Platinum passes (plus a couple higher-end options with prices not even listed), are on sale now, and one-day tickets will be available soon. Once you know you’re getting in, it’s time to start planning all the logistics of your trip. We’ve got everything you need to know to have a stellar Lollapalooza.
Decide where to stay—and do it a.s.a.p.
Book your hotel early, as they’re sure to book up quickly. Your best bet is to pick a hotel in the Loop, where you’ll wake up just steps from the Grant Park festival and in the midst of all of Chicago’s greatest attractions. Want nothing but the best? These seven Loop hotels are the finest in Chicago according to Readers’ Choice Awards 2018.
Figure out how to get around
The Loop is always bustling, but especially so during one of the nation’s biggest popular music festivals. So it’s important to know how you’re planning on getting around ahead of time. If you’re driving to Lollapalooza, you can easily reserve a parking spot ahead of time with the mobile app iParkit. Participating garages closest to Grant Park include Adams & Wabash Self Park (17 E. Adams) and Tower Self Park (211 W. Adams) coming from the west, as well as Wabash-Randolph Self Park (20 E. Randolph) coming from the north. With iParkit you also get an in-and-out privilege—just scan your app when you enter and exit the garage.
Millennium Garages also offers multiple convenient parking garages. You can purchase your spot ahead of time from its website.
Suburbanites can take Metra’s commuter rail system, and Amtrak trains will also drop you right downtown.
If you’re taking the CTA, every “L” line will bring you into the Loop. There are also a variety of bus routes available. Map out your route with the CTA’s quick trip planner tool.
August will probably be the perfect time of year for a nice bike ride, and Chicago is one of the most bikeable cities in the country. Bring your own bike and take advantage of bike parking at the main entrance (Michigan Ave. and Ida B. Wells Drive), or rent a bike from Divvy, Chicago’s docked bikes-hare system. There are docks at Michigan Ave. and Ida B. Wells Drive, Michigan Ave. and Jackson Blvd., Michigan Ave. and Balbo Drive, and more farther out along Michigan Ave.
Click here for more information on how to get to the Chicago Loop.
How to pay
In the past, cash was your best bet at Lollapalooza. But now you can register for Lolla Cashless presented by Citi when you activate your wristband at home or the festival. The Lolla Shop, bars, and most (but not all) vendors will accept credit and debit cards, too. If you need cash, there are various ATMs located throughout the park.
What to bring
One of the most important things about a summer music festival is making sure you drink enough water. Hydration packs are allowed but must be emptied of all liquid and have no more than two pockets in addition to the one holding the water reservoir. Empty hydration packs and water bottles (plastic or aluminum) are also allowed. The maximum size for hydration ramblers is 36 oz. You can also purchase water inside the festival.
It’s also a good idea to bring along a power bank to make sure your phone has a charge by the end of the night.
Share your moments
If you go to Lollapalooza and don’t post about it on Instagram, did it even happen? Be sure to share your moments with #inTheLoopChi and tag @loopchicago so all your friends know you’re enjoying some great music in the heart of Chicago.
Main photo by Katrina Barber
