Lollapalooza returns to Chicago on Thursday, August 3–Sunday, August 3, 11 am–10 pm daily in Grant Park. The highly anticipated festival is expected to draw hundreds of thousands to Chicago’s lakefront for the four-day event featuring over 170+ performances on eight stages. As the festival gets underway, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) encourages those attending to enjoy a fun and safe event by adhering to all security  

“The city has worked closely with the organizers to plan and prepare for the safety and security of festival attendees, performers and staff,” said OEMC Acting Executive Director Jose Tirado. “Public safety remains our top priority for the event. We encourage those inside and outside the festival to report any suspicious activity by calling 9-1-1, or notifying onsite security.” 

 

The festival in Grant Park boundaries are from Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive and Roosevelt Road to Randolph Street. All motorists, pedestrians and residents in the area are reminded of the street closures and traffic impacts throughout the weekend. A map of festival grounds and public safety details, visit Lollapalooza.com/Safety 

 

Report Suspicious Activity:  If You See Something, Say Something. OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity – especially in large gatherings. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. Although the City has not received actionable threats, the Department of Homeland Security released an advisory on May 24, 2023 -  National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin. DHS emphasizes the continued heightened threat environment across the United States. It notes that “lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and personal grievances continue to pose a persistent threat to the United States.” 

 

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a UAS TFR for the airspace within one nautical mile (1NM) radius of Lollapalooza, August 3-6, 2023. The TFR will be in place daily from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm. Unauthorized drones or unmanned aircraft systems will be prohibited to fly within the TFR without an approved FAA Waiver. Individuals who fail to adhere to the UAS TFR could face detainment/fines by law enforcement and/or FAA personnel. 

 

Chicago OEMC App – Know Before You Go 

For safety and preparedness at your fingertips, residents and festival goers are encouraged to download the new Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar, and other weather-related information as well. The app is now available through the Apple App and Google Play stores. 

 

FESTIVAL ENTRY PROCEDURE 

Festival entrances: Concertgoers can enter Grant Park at the main entrance at Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive, or at the north entrance at Columbus and Monroe Street. 

 

2023 Entry Procedures 

• Bring your Festival Wristband, it must be securely fastened on the wrist and visible to security as you enter the festival grounds. 
• Accessible lanes for patrons with disabilities are signed and available at all entries.  
• Check out Lollapalooza’s updated bag policy –CLEAR BAGS ONLY–and NO liquids are allowed to be brought into Lollapalooza.  

 

SAFETY AND SECUIRITY MEASURES   

Security Screening and Enforcement: Each year, security measures are refined and implemented for the event’s layered security plan in addition to an enhanced security and law enforcement presence inside and outside the festival. Prior to entry fans are subject to a full and complete airport-style search to the festival grounds, event security will be searching all bags, administering magnetometer screening and conducting pat-downs. As always, underage drinking is not allowed, and the ordinance will be strictly enforced.  

 

Bag Search: ALL bags will be searched before entry. CLEAR bags made up of clear plastic, vinyl, or pvc, and no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" ONLY. Small clutch purses and fanny packs with no more than 1 pocket and no larger than 6” x 9“. Backpacks, and bags with multiple pockets are prohibited.  

  

Prohibited Items: No liquids will be allowed into the event. However, patrons can drink water while in line if the container is empty prior to going through security screening. Containers and hydration packs are allowed into the event but must be emptied of all liquid and have no more than two pockets in addition to the one holding the water reservoir. Free water will be provided at numerous Hydration Stations inside the venue. 

 

Pole Marker Locations: For public safety, attendees are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the light poles throughout the Grant Park area to help them reference their location within the park to friends, family and first responders if there is an emergency and you call 9-1-1. The green and white pole markers are established within the boundaries of Roosevelt Rd. to Randolph St., DuSable Lake Shore Drive (DLSD) to Michigan Avenue, Ida B Wells Dr to Michigan Ave to Columbus Dr, Jackson St to Michigan Ave, Monroe St to Columbus Dr, and from 2400 DLSD to 6600 DLSD. 

 

Lockers + Lost and Found: Lockers are available for rent inside the festival. If you lose something at the festival, check with the main Guest Services booth at Columbus and Ida B. Wells Drive or visit Lollapalooza’s virtual lost and found at Lollapalooza.com/LostandFound. Visit a Guest Services booth for all event-related questions while on–site. Do not leave items unattended and be mindful of your belongings at all times.  

 

Medical Safety Resources: There will be 6 medical tents located throughout the festival staffed by top-level medical professionals, paramedics and EMTs. The organizers are again complementing the emergency medical resources available at the event with student Safety Team members. The EMT and medical students serving as the Safety Team will be outfitted in blue vests and will be located throughout Grant Park to seek out patrons who may be in need and help expedite connection with the mobile medic teams so that they get to patients quicker. 

 

SAFEFEST 

NEW - Lollapalooza has added SAFEFEST, a team of friendly guides in bright yellow shirts to provide information. Whether you have questions, need help finding a medical or security location, or directional help leaving the park, this team is here to be your helpful resource. 

 

This Must Be the Place: Lollapalooza organizers continually update safety and security protocols, which include education and preventative measures to keep people safe. With this in mind, Lollapalooza is partnering with This Must Be The Place, an overdose prevention nonprofit, who will educate music fans about the dangers of fentanyl and supply them with the life-saving opioid reversal medicine, naloxone, commonly known as Narcan. We encourage fans to stop by their booth at the festival and learn more. 

 

Weather Conditions: Attendees are encouraged to check conditions before heading out.  Cooling buses and water stations are available throughout the event and fans are encouraged to bring empty water bottles to the event and utilize the free water refilling stations around the park to avoid dehydration. The event encourages patrons to download the festival app to receive communications regarding the festival, weather, and other information. 

 

Weather Shelters: Attendees should be aware of the emergency evacuation shelter sites located in the Grant Park North, Grant Park South and Millennium Lakeside Garages. The evacuation shelter sites can be accessed through the vehicle entrance on Michigan Avenue. Signage is posted to direct people to designated extreme weather shelters for extreme conditions such as lightning, tornadoes, hailstorms, or other weather events. In the event of a weather evacuation, all attendees should follow the instructions of public safety officials. Shelter locations will be opened only in cases of extreme weather to ensure the safety of event patrons. For a map of shelter locations and additional safety information, visit Lollapalooza.com/Safety 

 

TRAFFIC IMPACTS + TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS 

Street Closures In Place: Traffic control aides will be deployed to facilitate traffic around the area, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes. The following closures are in effect: 

• Balbo Drive from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive through Sunday, August 13 
• Balbo Drive to Michigan Avenue to Columbus through Monday, August 7. 
• Jackson Drive from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive through Saturday, August 12 
• Jackson Drive to Michigan Avenue to Columbus through Monday, August 7 
• Columbus from Monroe to Roosevelt through Monday, August 7 
• Additional northbound center lanes on Columbus from 13^th Street to Roosevelt Road through Monday, August 7. 
• Ida B. Wells / Congress Pkwy/Circle is closed from Michigan to Columbus through Monday, August 7. 
• Monroe Street from Michigan to DuSable Lake Shore Drive is closed Wednesday, August 3 through 6:30 a.m. Monday, August 7 at 7 a.m. 

 

ADA Drop–Off: ADA drop-off is located at the eastbound curb lane of Monroe just east of Michigan Avenue. 

 

Public Transportation: As for any large–scale event, public transportation is encouraged and both CTA and Metra are providing additional services for the event. Note: For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com. 

 

Rideshares, Taxi Cabs, Car Services and Pedicabs: Geofencing boundaries will be in effect for the safety of pedestrians and motorists: DuSable Lake Shore Drive to State Street and Wacker Drive to 14^th Street. For those traveling to and from the event by rideshare, taxi or car service the below will be in effect each day from August 3–August 6, 10 am–11:30 pm.  

• No pick-ups and drop–offs on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, including on-ramps, off-ramps, medians, turning lanes, shoulders, and emergency pull-offs.  

• No vehicles, stopping, standing, or parking in bus or bicycle lanes, fire lanes, sidewalk crossings, etc. 
• No vehicles are allowed on S. Indiana Ave for pick-up, drop-off, or standing. 
• Wacker Place between Wabash thru the area just west of Michigan will be allowed for access serving the area hotels at the edge of the restricted zone. Onsite hotel vehicle operations on private property are not prohibited. 
• Pedicabs are allowed only to pick up and drop off on Randolph West of Michigan Ave. Pedicabs are NOT allowed along the other restricted streets including Columbus, State, Michigan, Roosevelt, or Randolph east of Michigan. 

 

OEMC Traffic and Weather Notifications: 

OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. We encourage residents to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date weather information, please tune into local media or download a weather app. In case of emergency, attendees receive safety messages from the official Lollapalooza Mobile App, video screens at four stages, video screens on the Info Tower by Buckingham Fountain, as well as audio announcements broadcasted from all stages, and real–time updates on Lollapalooza’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. To receive information about Lollapalooza via text, Text LOLLA to 76107 for festival updates.  

 

OEMC will monitor all citywide events through a collaboration with public safety partners and will issue several alerts and notifications to keep residents up to date on weather conditions, street closures and emergencies: 

Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at www.NotifyChicago.org 

• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5  
• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3  

 

OEMC works closely with the City's public safety departments, the Chicago Park District and C3 Presents to plan well in advance of the popular event to ensure the safety of performers, music fans and residents. Participants are urged to be familiar with the surrounding area and to heed warnings if need be. For complete festival details visit the Lollapalooza website at Lollapalooza.com. 

 

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook, Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911).