Hey, EPHS students! Since summer is right around the corner, here are the top 3 music festivals you should consider attending over the break in Chicago.
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is one of the biggest festivals in Chicago. Lots of people come in from different states just for Lolla, which is at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. This event happens every year in the summer time. The doors open at 11 am, the music starts at 12 pm, and the event ends at 10 pm. These times are all the same for all 4 days of the festival, Thursday, July 30, through Sunday, August 2, 2026. For a 4 day pass, it costs between $399-$439. A 1 day general admission is usually around $180-$220+. Every year, there are different people who perform; each performance happens on 8 different stages. There are multiple performances happening simultaneously, so it’s best to check the schedule to be sure you aren’t missing the artists you have your heart set on seeing. In order to see your preferred performers, you have to know which stage they will be on and get there a little bit early in order to get a spot to see. The line up for this year’s festival is okay; I would say last year’s was better than this year’s. This year’s line up is Charli XCX, Lorde, Tate McRae, JENNIE (of BLACKPINK), The Smashing Pumpkins, and The xx. There are different ways that people travel to get to this festival: some people take the train or drive. There are also some who stay overnight at a hotel, but that can cost lots of money: $250 to over $500 per night.
Summer Smash
Summer Smash started in 2018 and has been growing every year. Summer Smash is known for bringing the top best rappers in the world to perform. This festival is 3 days long and very well-known in Chicago, so it does get packed and lots of people are on top of each other when trying to see the artists perform. Besides all the music and performances, there are lots of food trucks, art walls, and also places for you and your friends to take pictures and just hang out when you get tired. A 3-day pass can cost up to $399 with taxes. For a single day pass, it’s $174 with taxes. Summer Smash has 3 different stages; all artists perform on different stages and during different times. This means that everyone has an opportunity to see each artist scheduled to perform if they check the schedule and use the map on the app to move around the venue in a timely manner. Summer Smash starts when the doors open at 3 pm and goes until 10 pm. I would recommend for people to go to the stages early just because it does get packed and it is just very hot. This year for Summer Smash, they have the most popular people performing, like Fetty Wap, Chief Keef and G Herbo, Lil Baby, etc. Summer Smash is located at Seat Geek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois (near Chicago).
Suenos
Suenos is a 2 day festival from May 23 to the 24th of May. Suenos is a Hispanic festival where many from the Hispanic community go to have fun and show their love for their community and culture. This year, the head lineup of Suenos is J Balvin and Fuerza Regida. Suenos started in 2022 and has been going every year since. Suenos is hosted at Grant Park. The doors open at 12 pm and the event ends at 10 pm. The cost of a single day pass starts at $189; for a 2 day pass, it is $259. There are so many ways to get to Grant Park. Some people drive to this festival but the parking can cost a lot just because there is a big event happening. A lot of people take the train and then from the train station they walk to Grant Park or Uber to Grant Park.
References:
https://www.lollapalooza.com/
https://thesummersmash.com/
