MAIN Summer Fun Guide Summer Concerts Chicago Lollapalooza

One of the hottest tickets of the year, and the biggest and best venue for indy and alternative rock bands in the country is Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park.

The annual music festival regularly draws 225,000 to Chicago for three days of eating, drinking and hob-nobbing, as well as family-friendly activities for kids of all ages along with, of course .... the music.

More than 100 performers appear at the annual Lollapalooza concert which has helped launch the careers of punk and alternative bands such as Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, and The Smashing Pumpkins.

Last year's concert lineup featured headliners such as Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Muse, My Morning Jacket and deadmau5. Other acts included Cee Lo Green, A Perfect Circle, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and Nas, The Cars, and Ween.

Watch for this year's lineup to be announced at the end of April 2012.

Buying Lollapalooza Tickets

'Early Bird' tickets traditionally go on sale in late March, but act fast or you're out of luck - as these tickets are much cheaper than buying tickets during the summer - and as usual sell out very quickly!

If you're left out of the Early Bird running, Lollapalooza Early Bird 3-day passes next go on sale beginning in April 2012.

Meanwhile, regular 3-day ticket passes will go on sale in late spring. Single-day ticket passes usually go on sale mid-summer

Getting to Grant Park

If driving to Grant Park, underground parking is available at the nearby Millennium Garage with 3-day passes available for Lollapalooza attendees.

By far the easiest way to attend the festival, however, is by public transportation via Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus or train.

By taxi, get dropped off on Michigan Avenue at Congress, then head over to the Box Office and into the Lollapalooza entrance right in front of Grant Park's Buckingham Fountain.

Hotels near Grant Park vary from expensive to moderately expensive, and include the Chicago Hilton, Hard Rock Hotel, the W City Center, and the James Hotel, with some offering hotel/travel/ticket packages available through travel agents and online.

More about Lollapalooza around the Web:

Lollapalooza.com - The official site with dates, star performers lineup, ticket purchase, directions, parking information, festival map, FAQ.

Lollapalooza - Wikipedia - Compete background and history of the festival with photos, related references, resources, and a list of Lollapalooza lineups by year.

Lollapalooza - Special coverage from the Chicago Tribune with regular news, reports and updates on festival performers and happenings.

also see -> Chicago Travel Guide | Chicago Marathon | Taste of Chicago

Chicago Street Fairs & Festivals | Illinois Fall Foliage | Christmas in Illinois