Millennium Park — Attending An Event

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Prohibited Items

Your safety and security are important to us. A security perimeter and bag check will be in place for all events.

Please be patient and plan ahead for the Millennium Park Security Perimeter. Knowing which entrances are open and what items are prohibited will help speed your bag check. Entry may be faster for those without bags. Please review the full prohibited items list before your visit, and view the specific event page for which entrances are open.

 

Prohibited Items

(This list is subject to change)

  • Pets (except for service animals)
  • Hammocks
  • Totems, flags, banners, lawn stakes
  • Tents, canopies, shade structures, umbrellas (staked or golf)
  • Balloons
  • Noise makers
  • Laser pointers
  • All metal knives and cutlery (**corkscrews and plastic/compostable cutlery ARE allowed)
  • Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, personal motorized vehicles (exception ADA mobility devices)
  • Drones, hoverboards, motorized toys
  • Professional grade walkie-talkies or radios
  • Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors
  • Unauthorized solicitation and materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, samples, giveaways, etc.
  • Illegal and illicit substances of any kind including drugs or drug paraphernalia
  • Firearms, explosive, weapons of any kind *(including pocket knives, pepper spray, fireworks, etc)
  • Open flames
    • Any item deemed dangerous by Security
  • Outside alcohol is prohibited at some Millennium Park summer events, see list below under food & beverage

Alcohol will be for sale inside the Park at the East Pad and 11 North concessions Casa Bonita and Millennium Hall. Alcohol purchased at the concessions must remain in the concession footprint.

 

Safety Guidelines

Smoking

Please read the Millennium Park Rules (PDF) for information on smoking and other points.

 

Event Entrance/Exit

Most days all entrances to the Park will be open. At events, limited entrances will be open.

Check out our accessibility information page.

 

Millennium Park Event Guidelines

Subject to bag search at the security perimeter, guests will be allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages to all events at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Bags and coolers must be smaller than 26L x 15W x 15H.

Smoking including e-cigs or vaping devices is not allowed on the Great Lawn or in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion seating area. Please smoke only in the designated perimeter.

Umbrellas may only be used in inclement weather

Professional video, audio and photography equipment and set up are not allowed except for previously approved media professionals.

Please dance.

Please keep all seating section aisles clear (no sitting, standing or dancing in the aisles).

Please be respectful of our park landscaping and keep it beautiful for all to enjoy. Do not trample the plantings or pull/hang from the tree limbs. Thank you.

 

Capacity

The venue will close once capacity has been reached. Announcement of capacity closure will come via @Millennium_Park Twitter and with venue signage; there will be no pre closure capacity based announcements. Event-goers are recommended to arrive early, as entry cannot be guaranteed.

 

Weather

Concerts and performances in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion are held rain or shine, unless there are severe weather warnings and/or the imminent threat of lightning in the area. Follow us on Twitter @Millennium_Park for weather-related announcements. Unfortunately, we cannot respond to every weather question.

Please plan ahead for your comfort while in our outdoor venue.

The Great Lawn will be closed except during events. There are auxiliary lawns around the perimeter of the venue where you may picnic when the Great Lawn is closed.

 

Food and Beverage

Subject to bag search at the security perimeter, guests are allowed to bring their own food, non-alcoholic beverages to Millennium Park.

Bringing in outside alcohol is not allowed at the following Millennium Park Events:

Alcohol will be for sale inside the Park at the East Pad and 11 North concessions Casa Bonita and Millennium Hall. Alcohol purchased at the concessions must remain in the concession footprint.

Millennium Park guests can also enjoy Momentum Coffee, located in the center of the Park directly under Cloud Gate. Momentum Coffee believes coffee has the power to empower people. Stop by to enjoy the best coffee, delicious pastries, Chicago hot dogs, smoothies and more.

 

General Millennium Park Rules

Please observe the Millennium Park Rules (PDF) to ensure that everyone's visit is enjoyable.

For information on Millennium Park permit requirements, including for photography and large gatherings of 50 persons or more, contact Maria Bernal maria.bernal@transwestern.com.

Information on Millennium Park private events is detailed online.

If you see something suspicious, say something to on-site security personnel or call 9-1-1. Be familiar with the surrounding area and heed staff and security warnings.