Lollapalooza road closures begin, city preps for massive music festival

There are countless festivals during summer, but the four-day Lollapalooza draws in the largest crowds and completely takes over 319-acre Grant Park. The festival grounds are more like a mini-city—and that takes a lot of effort to transform.

On Monday, city workers began rolling road closures around Grant Park that will last until August 9. That means at least three weeks of partial road closures for the festival, which takes place from Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, August 4.

As of now, Balbo Drive and Jackson Drive are closed between Columbus and Lakeshore Drive. Here’s when you can expect other closures around Grant Park.

Before and through the festival on Monday, July 29 through Monday, August 5:

• Balbo Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive
• Jackson Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive
• Columbus Drive from Monroe Street to Roosevelt Road
• Columbus Drive northbound center lanes from 13th Street to Roosevelt Road
• Ida B Wells Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive

Tuesday, July 30 through Monday, August 5:

• Monroe Street eastbound from Columbus Drive to Lake Shore Drive

During the festival, Thursday, August 1 through Sunday, August 4:

• Monroe westbound from Columbus to Lake Shore Drive

Soon, if not already, Grant Park will turn into a staging area for vendor equipment, generators, trucks, fences, and thousands of Porta Potties. Last year, crowds surged to 105,000 people each day. If you’re joining little less than half a million people at Lollapalooza this year, make sure you check out our guide on how to get around Chicago and the festival.