Lollapalooza 2018: Street closures, getting there, what you need to know

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend Lollapalooza each day and the crowds can make Grant Park quite hectic. This year Lollapalooza will run from 11 a.m. Thursday, August 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday, August 5.

Peak hours for public transportation and traffic are between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., according to 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly’s office. Around 10 p.m., when the venue shuts down for the night, will most likely be a high traffic time as well.

There’s a small chance of rainfall on Thursday, but temperatures at the end of the week will be high 70s and mid-80s. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be humid and hot reaching into the high 80s and low 90s.

Minimize the chaos and frustration by knowing what streets are closed and how to get to Grant Park in the quickest way. Here’s all the information you need to know as a festival-goer or resident who, uh, might be trying to steer clear.

Getting to Grant Park for Lollapalooza

The festival takes place on 115 acres between Michigan Avenue and the lakefront so there are plenty of ways to get there. If you look at the festival map you can enter at Monroe Street and Columbus Drive, or at Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive (formerly Congress Parkway).

Beginning Thursday there will be extra service on train lines and bus routes that run near Grant Park. Buses that stop near the festival will have Lollapalooza signs in their windows too.

CTA and Metra service

Closest L stops include:
Red Line at Monroe, Jackson, or Harrison;
Blue Line at Monroe and Jackson; and
Brown, Orange, Purple, Green, Pink Lines at Washington/Wabash and Adams/Wabash

CTA passengers can buy a 3-day for $20 or 7-day unlimited pass for $28. Single-ride tickets cost $2.50.

Taking the Metra:

When you get downtown, take the No. 126 Jackson bus route from Union Station or get on the No. J14 Jeffery Jump from Olgilvie Transportation Center.

If you’re heading into the city on Thursday and Friday, Metra is offering a special Lollapalooza pass for unlimited travel that costs $15. Saturday and Sunday riders can purchase the weekend pass for $10. Buy passes at station ticket windows or through the Ventra App.

Uber, Lyft, and Taxis

If you’re planning on using a ride-hailing service or flagging down a taxi, get dropped off at the gates near Ida B. Wells and Michigan Avenue or over near Columbus Drive and Monroe Street. At the end of the night walk west to State Street or north to Randolph Street to get picked up.

New Uber riders get $15 off when you use promo code LOLLA18.

Any Lyft rider can use the promo code LOLLA818 for 30 percent off their next three rides, worth up to $5 per ride.

Biking and Divvy

Use the Divvy app to find bikes and open stations. If you haven’t used the bikes before, get a free ride with the code LOLLA18. Divvy will have valets on site all four days of the festival from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Michigan and Jackson to help.

There’s also bike parking south of the main entrance at Ida B. Wells and Michigan Avenue. Check in with ChainLinks for a custom Lollapalooza bike-themed drawstring bag, free to cyclists while supplies last. A team will also be there to help with minor repairs if needed.

What streets are closed for the festival?

Street closures began Monday and will last the week after Lollapalooza while organizers break down the stages. Prepare for detours and reroutes if you plan on going near Grant Park. In a letter to residents, Lollapalooza lists the dates and times of all street and sidewalk closures.

Last year residents complained that there wasn’t anywhere to take their dogs, but this year that’s changed. While most of Grant Park is closed, pet owners can head to Michigan and Balboa for dog access.

Stay safe

What residents need to know

Have something to complain about? Residents can call the Lollapalooza hotline at 512-806-7903 to report any problems they might have with the festival.

Lose something at Lolla?

The festival has an online lost and found so you can see if someone turned in whatever you misplaced. There are several physical outposts at the festival too which are marked on the map.

Stream Lollapalooza performances

If you’re not at the festival stream Lollapalooza performances live on Red Bull TV. Some of this year’s lineup includes The Weeknd, Jack White, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, Odesza, Khalid, Tyler, The Creator, Chvrches, Zedd, Walk The Moon, and LL Cool J.