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Lollapalooza 2023 Road Closures and Safety Information

Secure Chicago

In cooperation with our cross-sector safety partners, Titan Security is monitoring the events around the 2023 Lollapalooza Music Festival, set to be held Thursday, August 3 through Sunday, August 6. The following information includes Lollapalooza 2023 road closures and safety information, along with primary entrances, peak traffic times, and additional precautions being taken by public sector departments. 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. 

From Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications:

Street Closures In Place: Traffic control aides will be deployed to facilitate traffic around the area, 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 13th 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 service 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 14th 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, 10am–11:30pm.  

  • 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. 

Entry Procedures

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. 

  • 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 includes 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 

Festival Map

Event/Protest Best Practices

  • If you see something suspicious, report it
  • Carry water and stay hydrated
  • Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
  • Utilize the buddy system
  • Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
  • Leave any valuables at home
  • Do not jump any barricades
  • Secure handbags and wallets
  • Stay calm and pleasant
  • Follow your own instincts
  • Leave yourself room to move quickly

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something.” For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).

About Titan Security Group

Titan launched in 1994 with a vision for a better way to provide security services to the Midwest. Today, Titan is one of the largest security companies in North America, scheduling approximately 130,000 hours per week, employing more than 3,600 security staff, and has enjoyed over twenty-nine consecutive years of successfully serving our clients across a wide range of industries. Titan delivers results to clients through flexible, customized security solutions, and superior customer service. The Titan approach combines traditional security staffing with electronic security systems to provide integrated, efficient, and customized safety and security solutions from a single source.