Drivers and pedestrians traveling through downtown Chicago should prepare for several weeks of road and sidewalk closures as crews transform Grant Park for Lollapalooza 2026. The four-day music festival will run from July 30 through August 2, but some restrictions began weeks earlier and will remain in place after the final performances.
This year’s announced headliners include Charli XCX, Tate McRae, Lorde, Olivia Dean, John Summit, Jennie, The Smashing Pumpkins, and The xx. Installing and later removing the festival infrastructure will require extended closures on several major streets surrounding Grant Park.
Longest Closures Began Weeks Before the Festival
Balbo Drive, between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive, has been closed since July 1 and will remain closed through August 9. It is the longest scheduled road closure connected to the festival. 
Jackson Boulevard, between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive, will be closed from July 21 through August 8.
These closures cover the installation of festival equipment, the four-day event, and the removal of stages and other infrastructure after Lollapalooza ends.
Most Major Road Closures Begin July 27
The largest group of traffic restrictions will begin Monday, July 27, three days before the festival opens.
Balbo Drive, between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, will be closed through August 3. Jackson Boulevard, between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, will be closed during the same period.
Columbus Drive will be closed between Monroe Street and Roosevelt Road from July 27 through August 3. Two center northbound lanes of Columbus Drive, between 13th Street and Roosevelt Road, will also be closed during that period.
Congress Plaza Drive, between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, will be closed from July 27 through August 3. Monroe Street, between Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive, will also be closed during the same period.
Sidewalk Closures Will Also Affect Pedestrians
The restrictions will affect pedestrians as well as drivers. The sidewalk along Michigan Avenue, between Jackson Boulevard and the 11th Street pedestrian bridge, will be closed from July 28 through August 2.
The sidewalks on both sides of Balbo Drive, between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive, will be closed from July 15 through August 9.
The sidewalk along the northbound side of Columbus Drive, between Roosevelt Road and Ida B. Wells Drive, will be closed from July 15 through August 7.
The sidewalk along the southbound side of Columbus Drive, from the Ninth Street Yard to the southern section of Ida B. Wells Drive, will be closed from July 20 through August 8.
The sidewalks on both sides of Jackson Boulevard, between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive, will be closed from July 20 through August 8.
The sidewalk along the northbound side of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, between Monroe Street and Roosevelt Road, will be closed on July 22. The sidewalk along the southbound side of the same section will be closed from July 25 through August 8.
Some Restrictions Will Continue After the Festival
The east sidewalk along Monroe Street, between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive, will be closed on July 18 and again from July 20 through August 8.
The sidewalks on both sides of Balbo Drive and Jackson Boulevard, between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, will be closed from July 27 through August 3.
Sidewalk restrictions along Congress Plaza Drive, between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, will remain in effect from July 27 through August 3. The sidewalks on the east and west sides of Congress Plaza will also be closed on July 25 and 26.
The sidewalks on both sides of Columbus Drive, between Monroe Street and Roosevelt Road, will be closed from July 27 through August 4.
The sidewalk along the northbound side of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, between Monroe Street and Roosevelt Road, will also be closed on August 4.
Drivers and pedestrians traveling through downtown Chicago during the setup, festival, and cleanup periods should expect detours, heavier traffic, and additional travel time.
