Jul 31, 2025 - Culture
How to experience Lolla vibes without a ticket
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Lollapalooza in 2022. Photo: Scott Legato/Getty Images
A few one-day passes are still available for Lollapalooza, but if you don't want to dole out the cash or deal with downtown, there are tons of ways to enjoy the monster music festival outside Grant Park.
The big picture: The four-day event starts Thursday and is expected to bring more than half a million people to the city for more than 100 acts.
- Headliners include Olivia Rodrigo; Tyler, The Creator; Sabrina Carpenter; Gracie Abrams; Doechii; and Korn.
Zoom in: Here's how to enjoy Lolla without ever setting foot inside Grant Park.
"I didn't get tickets but still want a Lolla-like weekend"
🍸 Sip Lolla-themed beverages.
- I|O Godfrey is featuring The Lolla Pop Fizz ($18) with Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, Coastal Rosé Spritz, raspberry sorbetto and Pop Rocks.
- Sweetwater Tavern and Grill has Sabrina Carpenter-themed drinks: Short and Sweet, which is an espresso martini shot ($10.99), and Man's Best Friend, a burnt orange old-fashioned ($15.99).
- Bar Pendry and Chateau Carbide have cocktails like A$AP Rocky-esque "$undress" with bourbon, simple syrup and mint, and an ode to Gracie Abrams, "She's So Cool," with mezcal, lime juice, triple sec and agave ($20 each).
🕺 Have fun set to music elsewhere.
- Color Factory has a ball pit with a playlist curated by festival headliner DJ Matt Roan, plus a color maze and sonic landscapes.
"Get me so far away I'm practically in Wisconsin"
🚊 Get outta town.
- While thousands take the Metra into the city, take an outbound train, perhaps to University Park to check out the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, or go way out there and check out the cow in Harvard!
👋 Feel like you're out of the city.
- Arriba in Ravenswood has Tex-Mex food and margaritas, palomas, tostadas, shrimp cocktails and more.
- Farm Bar in Lakeview will make you feel like you're actually in Wisconsin with cheese curds, burgers and cider.
- R.J. Grunts in Lincoln Park has late-night happy hour 8-10pm Thursday-Saturday, with classic cocktails, craft beers and wine for $5.
"I just want to hear some music!"
🎵 See other live music
- Three Dots and a Dash has DJ sets from Midnight Generation on Thursday and Cole Preston of Wallows at 10pm Friday.
- Lolla hosts after-parties across the city, from the Aragon in Uptown to Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport, and Epiphany Center for the Arts on the Near West Side.
- The Empty Bottle has The Symposium/John Myrtle at 11pm Friday.
🎧 Listen on your own
- Vocalo has curated a playlist to jam to all weekend.
- Plop on the couch and watch the festival on Hulu.
"I want the young people at work to think I'm cool"
- Pretend you went by wearing a CTA/Lolla shirt.
- Wear some sunglasses and act tired on Monday.