How to Prepare for Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza Balloons!

Lollapalooza, a festival whose name has no true origins, hosts 400,000 people over the four days it dominates Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. Once a farewell tour for a Los Angeles rock band, Lollapalooza has grown to be an annual sensation showcasing mainstream and indie artists alike on its nine stages. Even countries such as Brazil, Chile, and France have adopted the tradition. Whether you haven’t gone in a while or are new to the festival scene, here are some of my tips from my experience at the 2023 Lollapalooza.

Make Sure You’re Familiar With the Layout!

This one may feel like a no-brainer. Make sure to allot some extra time in your itinerary to pick up your bracelet, get from stage to stage, know where the exits are, etc... For starters, Lollapalooza advertises their pickup location as being on Ida B. Wells South. Google Maps doesn’t think this street exists, nor did any of the vendors in Millenium Park know where it was. Only mindless wandering brought me to the neon tent. (Assuming pickup will be at the same spot next year, it’s near the Congress Plaza Garden). When it came to racing between stages, I got pretty lost. Only by a miracle did I get to where I needed to be. My phone died halfway through the day, and so the map I’d made my homescreen did me no good. However, Lollapalooza does a great job of having volunteers clearly marked. This was a great ressource when it came to finding water stations, bathrooms, exits, and more.

Don’t be Shy; Bring a Bag

I cannot begin to tell you how many more people would have fainted if security wasn’t passing out cartons of water. Blazing heat, bodies pressed together, no airflow... Since you can’t bring outside food or beverage, and everyone was eager to get front row for Billie Eilish, there was no time to stop at a fountain. By the time I got there, people were already pushed back to the sixth row along the entire length of the barrier… And I was one of the first people past security. My skin was tomato red halfway through the day, and my phone died after the second performance. Life would have been much, much easier if I had brought a bag with… 

The Essentials 

I’m sorry to be the one to tell you, but if your goal is to be front row for the headliner, you’re going to have a very long day. Say goodbye to bathroom breaks or water refills. However, you can make it easier on yourself. In bringing a bag, you can bring various essential items such as:

• Sunscreen

• Hydration packs 

• Battery powered mini / neck fan 

• Sunglasses 

• Portable Charger 

• Earplugs, for the front row fanatics

• (Optional) Hydration bag, if you can stop at the fountain before racing for the gates!

Lollapalooza T-Mobile Stage

Planning Accordingly

Make sure you know what you’re signing up for before purchasing tickets. A lot of people can get overwhelmed by the crowds. However big you think Lolla is? Double it. The crowds alone added time onto how fast I thought I’d be able to run through the park for the next performance. Plus, there may have been a pizza place or two that also served as an unexpected yet a very welcome pitstop. 

When getting your affairs together, make sure you have transportation lined up. Keep in mind that trains will be insanely busy at the end of the night, and Uber shuts down its operations in the Lollapalooza area. I stayed at a hotel within a few blocks of the festival, and had to walk to the riverway before an Uber would collect me the morning after Lolla.

As well, DO NOT TIGHTEN YOUR WRISTBAND. Make sure it’s able to slip on and off without risk of being taken off or accidentally slipping. I made the grave mistake of pulling the straps too tight, without knowing that the plastic teeth don’t like to move backward. If you’re trying to avoid taking scissors to your precious memorabilia, give your wrist some breathing room.

Going Alone?

Every article I read prior to the festival told me that solo-travel was stupid. Although I know everyone has different experiences, I personally felt completely safe at all points of the festival. With ample security and volunteers floating around, there was never a breath where I felt concerned for my safety. In fact, I felt I had an advantage being solo. As soon as the security gates open in the morning, people sprint throughout the entire festival grounds to secure the front row. Please don’t be that person who tries to push their way from 10th to 1st row to be with your friend. You will not be taken kindly by your fellow partygoers.

That being said, you still have to take proper precautions. Don’t put your phone in your back pocket where someone could snatch it, don’t leave your drink unattended, and don’t accept anything from strangers. Make sure you’re sharing your location with a friend, and that someone knows your itinerary/hotel plans so they can check in on you. 

Overall, Lollapalooza was a treasured memory. As long as you come prepared and look after yourself, you’re going to have a blast. Drink lots of water, wear lots of sunscreen, and scream at the top of your lungs as your favourite band takes the stage. Here’s to Lolla 2024--hopefully I’ll see you there!