Lollapalooza 2026 kicks off Thursday, and if you notice there are more women in Grant Park, there are — at least where music acts are concerned.
This year’s lineup is dominated by women artists, with Lollapalooza offering one of the largest assortment of female headliners of any festival outside Lilith Fair in the ’90s and Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Festival taking place in late August.
According to the organization Book More Women, which aims to close the gap of gender equity in music, “this is the first time a major U.S. multi-genre fest has had a top line of [at least] three female headliners” since they started tracking the data in 2018.
However, the group does point out that includes more than 40 missed opportunities in those eight years, with more work that needs to be done.
Still, of the eight Lolla headliners this year, five are women, including Lorde, who kicks things off Thursday with material from her latest emotional salvo “Virgin.” On Friday, U.K. wonder Charli xcx, who still conjures talk of #BratSummer even if she’s moved on with a brand-new album, “Music, Fashion, Film,” steps into a headlining slot after performing in earlier slots at previous Lollapaloozas.
Saturday’s main attractions will bring a tough game-time decision, either checking out Grammy-winning “Best New Artist” Olivia Dean or witnessing history as Blackpink’s Jennie becomes the first solo female K-pop star to headline the event.
By Sunday, Canadian pop queen Tate McRae will close up shop, while mysterious J-pop star Ado and the xx’s Romy Madley Croft also add to the women-driven, end-of-night talent on the final day.
But it’s not just headliners that put women in the spotlight at Lolla this year. Some of the acts with the most anticipated draws include Swedish pop star Zara Larsson, British soul-jazz singer Sienna Spiro, who brings big Adele and Amy Winehouse vibes, and electro dark horse Slayyyter, who was just bumped up to the main Bud Light stage on Friday in light of her growing popularity.
Some of the best midday guitar-based bands are predominantly female, too; standouts include the ferocious Austin metal/punk quartet Die Spitz, Australian hardcore/pop punk mashup artist Ecca Vandal and British post-punk band Wet Leg.
Riffing off this groundbreaking moment in Lolla (and festival) history is a new activation this year called Lolla Girl. It’s the brainchild of Etty Lau Farrell, wife of festival founder Perry Farrell, who’s considered the “Festival Fairy Godmother.” According to a press release, Lolla Girl was created around the “belief that women can continue to evolve, embrace new passions and reinvent themselves at every stage of life.” You can find the attraction inside Vibe Village where games, a photo booth and limited-edition merch will be available.
Across the weekend, there will be some other big moments to catch, such as SB19, who’s marking the debut appearance of a Filipino boy band at Lollapalooza.
A couple of homegrown talents are headlining. On Thursday, accountant turned star DJ and Naperville-born John Summit takes to the Bud Light stage in a rare headlining gig for an electronic dance music artist. Summit posted to his Instagram stories on Tuesday, “Chicago, I’m giving you my everything and more. Lolla is what inspired my crazy a— journey in life and trust this set will be like no other.”
It’s also Chicago’s own Smashing Pumpkins’ first time at the festival since the event laid stake in our city in 2005. The last time the Pumpkins were on the bill was in ’94 when the fest was still touring, and the band is celebrating its return in a big way with “Pumpkinpalooza.”
In addition to a kickoff show at Riviera Wednesday, Pumpkinpalooza includes a special merchandise pop-up at 900 S. Wabash Ave., open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Madame Zuzu’s Celestial Lounge onsite at Grant Park, featuring goods from Billy Corgan’s Highland Park teahouse. Keeping with the focus on female talent, it’s relevant to point out that the Pumpkins, too, have a dynamo female talent in the band, guitarist Kiki Wong.
Here’s what else you need to know about this year’s fest.
How to get to Lollapalooza
ADA dropoff
ADA dropoff is located at the eastbound curb lane of Monroe Street just east of Michigan Avenue.
Public transportation
Both CTA and Metra are providing additional service for the event. For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com.
Rideshares, taxis, car services and pedicabs
Geofencing boundaries will be in effect: DuSable Lake Shore Drive to State Street and Wacker Drive to 14th Street. For those traveling to and from the event by rideshare, taxi or car service, the following will be in effect each day from 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
- No pickups and dropoffs are allowed on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, including on-ramps, off-ramps, medians, turning lanes, shoulders and emergency pull-offs. Vehicles can’t stop, stand or park in bus or bicycle lanes, fire lanes, sidewalk crossings, etc. On South Indiana Avenue for pickup, dropoff or standing, vehicles are not permitted.
- Wacker Place between Wabash through the area just west of Michigan Avenue 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 Street west of Michigan Avenue. Pedicabs are not allowed along the other restricted streets including Columbus Drive, State Street, Michigan Avenue, Roosevelt Road or Randolph Street east of Michigan.
Which streets are closed?
If you’re planning to drive to the fest, keep in mind several streets in the area are closed (and if you are not going to the fest, best to avoid the area).
The following street closures are in effect, according to the city’s Emergency Management & Communications:
- Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: Until Aug. 9
- Jackson Drive, from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: Until Aug. 8
- Balbo Drive, from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive: Until Aug. 3
- Jackson Drive, from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive: Until Aug. 3
- Columbus Drive, from Monroe Street to Roosevelt Road: Until Aug. 3
- Columbus Drive (northbound, center lanes), from 13th Street to Roosevelt Road: Until Aug. 3
- Congress Plaza Drive, from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive: Until Aug. 3
- Monroe Street, from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: Until Aug. 3
What is the bag policy at Lollapalooza?
All bags will be searched before entry. Small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6 inches by 9 inches or smaller don’t need to be clear, but they can only have one pocket. Bags larger than that must be clear and smaller than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Hydration packs are allowed and don’t need to be clear but must be emptied of all liquid and have no more than two pockets: one for the reservoir and one additional pocket.
What items are allowed and what’s prohibited?
The following items can be brought into Grant Park:
- Baby strollers
- Binoculars
- Cameras (basic point-and-shoot cameras) without detachable lensesEmpty reusable water bottles and hydration packs (they must be cleared of any liquid), and plastic or aluminum water bottles
- Factory-sealed Naloxone/Narcan kit
- Hydration/electrolyte packets in factory-sealed single-serving package(s)
- Personal-sized hand sanitizer (3.4 ounces or less)
- Personal misting fans with a bottle no larger than 1.5L (must be empty upon entry)
- Portable battery packs
- Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers in containers the size of 3.4 ounces or less
- Prescription medicine: Anyone needing prescription medicine at the festival must present the pharmacy-labeled container that states the prescription, dosage and patient name to medical staff at each entrance gate. Patrons are only allowed enough of the prescribed medication for that day. Medicines that need to be inhaled or smoked are prohibited unless in a prescribed inhaler. Over-the-counter medications are allowed in a sufficient supply for the day. The amount will be verified by medical personnel at the entry gates.
The following items are prohibited:
- Bags that are not allowed under the bag policy
- Aerosol containers, including sunscreen and personal beauty products
- Blankets, sheets and towels
- Coolers
- Frisbees
- Any and all professional audio recording equipment
- Any and all professional video equipment. No video recording will be allowed.
- Professional cameras and professional recording (photo, video, audio) equipment (no large professional detachable zoom lenses, stands, monopods, tripods, attachment sticks i.e. selfie sticks) or other commercial equipment.
- Drones or any other remote-flying device
- Hammocks
- Glass containers Illegal and illicit substances Inflatables Outside food or beverages Umbrellas
- Pets (except service animals)
- Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons, carts or any personal motorized vehicles
- Tents, canopies or shade structures Totems or flag poles
- Weapons or explosives of any kind
- Fireworks
- Large chains or spiked jewelry
- Bicycles inside festival grounds
- Carts (including Red Wagons)
- Chairs
- All Chicago parks prohibit smoking of any kind, including vaping.
Where are the festival entrances?
Attendees 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 Drives.
What is the weather forecast?
Thursday will bring picture-perfect summer weather for day one, with dry and comfortable conditions in the forecast, with highs in the low to mid 80s (and 70s by the lake), according to the National Weather Service. But don’t forget the poncho on Friday and Saturday, when rain is expected to return to the area. It’ll also be cooler, with highs in the low to high 70s; it’ll be even chillier at night so don’t forget the hoodie either.
Cooling buses and water stations are available throughout the event. Emergency evacuation shelter sites are located in the Grant Park North, Grant Park South and Millennium Lakeside Garages and can be accessed through the vehicle entrance on Michigan Avenue. Shelter locations will be opened only in cases of extreme weather. Attendees are encouraged to download the festival app for the latest on the weather and other festival updates.