As one of Chicago’s staple music festivals makes its way back to Grant Park next week, a multitude of experiences- new and old- will be available for attendees at Lollapalooza 2025, July 31 to Aug. 3.
This year marks the 21st anniversary of Lollapalooza in Chicago. The festival began as a touring festival in 1991 but settled in Grant Park in 2005. With four-day passes sold out, Lollapalooza is expected to draw 100,000 people a day. That’s more than twice the number at a sold-out game at Wrigley Field.
Here are five things — beyond the music — that every person should know before going into the four-day music extravaganza in the backyard of Columbia’s campus. The Chronicle will be on the ground all four days, providing coverage on our website and our social media channels.
1. Korean representation
From artists to attendee experiences, Korean culture will have huge representation at Lollapalooza this year.
Korean artists such as BOYNEXTDOOR, KATSEYE, Xdinary Heroes, KickFlip, Wave to Earth and Saturday’s headliner TWICE, will be bringing K-pop to the Lollapalooza masses once again.
Past years have also featured Korean artists; J-Hope, from the K-pop group BTS, headlined the festival in 2022, TOMORROW X TOGETHER headlined in 2023 and Stray Kids headlined in 2024.
The festival will also include Imagine Your Korea, a booth for attendees to visit and explore Korean culture with the Korean Tourism Organization, which will be present at the booth.
More information can be found on the Imagine Your Korea YouTube channel.
2. Food and beverages
This year’s festivities will include a large number of different food and drink vendors for attendees to quench their hunger and thirst across the four-day stretch.
Returning favorites such as Chow Town, Desert Island, Plant Base and Vibe Village vendors will have food and beverages ranging from American, Asian, German and Italian, to sandwiches, soul, southern, hot dogs, ice cream and more.
All info about food and beverages can be found on the 2025 Food & Beverage page on Lollapalooza’s website.
3. Non-alcoholic experiences
For festival-goers looking to have fun without alcohol, the festival will offer multiple experiences geared toward booze-free fun.
The festival has hosted similar experiences in the past such as the Soberside tent for sober or recovering attendees in 2019, as previously reported by the Chronicle.
This year’s alcohol-free options will be much more versatile and include several popular brand collaborations. A Coca-Cola Roller Ring, Liquid Death Country Club, Peace Tea’s Mad Peaceful World and Liquid I.V. Lab are set to be featured at the festival.
All info about alcohol-free experiences can be found on the Beyond The Music page on Lollapalooza’s website.
4. Official aftershows
A recurring event for those who can’t get enough music, Lollapalooza’s official aftershows are back again for eager fans to see their favorite artists one more time before the end of the festivities.
Starting Wednesday, July 30 (the day before Lollapalooza) and running through Sunday, August 3 (the last day of the festival), more than 40 artists and bands will perform at different venues citywide, in collaboration with Hollister.
Artists including Zack Fox, Mk.gee, JPEGMAFIA, Djo, Cage the Elephant, Wallows and more will not only be gracing Lollapalooza’s coveted stage, but will also be performing at notable Chicago venues, from smaller capacity rooms like Schubas, Empty Bottle, Sleeping Village and Subterranean to larger rooms like Salt Shed, Aragon Ballroom, Thalia Hall, Metro and the Vic Theatre.
All info about official aftershows- from times and dates to buying tickets- can be found on Lollapalooza’s website.
5. Kidzapalooza will return
Kidzapalooza is back to ensure that people of all ages will be able to enjoy themselves during the four-day festival.
The activities for younger attendees offer a wide range of entertainment for them, including a dedicated lineup with the likes of School of Rock, 23 Skidoo and The Secret Agency and The Q Brothers, as well as activities such as the Theater Tent, the Craft Station, a Hip Hop Workshop, a Drum Zone and much more.
A Family Services Tent will also be up, which will offer a safe and comfortable space for caregivers and children.
All information can be found on the Kidzapalooza page on Lollapalooza’s website.
Armed with the essentials and a packed lineup that spans genres and generations, festival goers can gear up for four days of nonstop music and spectacle across eight stages — with headliners like Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Luke Combs, TWICE, Korn, Sabrina Carpenter, Rüfüs Du Sol and A$AP Rocky.
Copy edited by Manuel Nocera
