The renowned music festival Lollapalooza takes place worldwide and has been in Chicago every year since 2005. 2026 will be the 21st anniversary of the festival, and it will take place from July 30 to Aug. 2. Grant Park will soon be filled with people from all over the world, waiting to hear their favorite artist perform on multiple stages, trying new food from the many food vendors, and exploring the different art installations. The 2026 lineup was recently released, and it is an exciting time—especially for those who were able to get festival passes. Keep reading on to discover more about this year’s lineup and how Berkley students are getting the chance to experience Lollapalooza.
Since the festival takes place throughout the four-day weekend, a new artist is headlining each night on the main stage. Starting the weekend strong on Thursday, Illinois native DJ John Summit and New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde are performing on the Bud Light Stage and the T-Mobile Stage, two of the eight main stages where the headliners will be performing.
Friday night, British hyperpop singer Charli XCX will take one of the main stages, while the Chicago rock band The Smashing Pumpkins will perform on another.
On Saturday, British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean is performing alongside South Korean star Jennie. To wrap up the excitement on Sunday, the final day, Canadian pop star Tate McRae, as well as the British indie pop band The xx, will headline.
For many students, attending Lollapalooza is more than just a concert—it’s a full experience. Junior Kate Pollock is going to Lollapalooza for the first time this year and shared her excitement about the trip. When asked who she is most excited to see, she said, “I am most excited to see Tate McRae because she is one of my favorite artists, as well as John Summit, because the vibes will be high.”
Pollock also talked about the process of getting tickets and where she plans to stay. “My friend’s dad got us the tickets, and it seemed pretty easy. He was waiting in the queue for a long time, but he got the tickets. We’re planning on staying with another one of my friends’ siblings, who both live in Chicago.” Staying with family or friends in the city is a common choice for festival-goers, especially since hotels can fill up quickly during such a busy weekend.
When it comes to staying safe and navigating such a large event, Pollock emphasized the importance of sticking together. “We’ll probably just always stay together. I know there’s a bunch of other people from Berkley going, so staying in big groups and always being aware of our surroundings is important.” Along with attending the festival, she also mentioned plans to explore the city itself, including shopping at the clothing store Brandy Melville and eating at the cafe Joe & the Juice.
Festival fashion is another exciting part of the experience. Pollock shared that she already has some outfit ideas planned, saying, “I planned outfits last year because I was going to go, but didn’t end up going, so I’ll probably revisit those. Definitely stuff that’s more affordable but still cute—just fun vibes.”
Another Berkley student, sophomore Emily Darrah, will be attending Lollapalooza for the second time this year, giving her a different perspective compared to first-time attendees. Having already experienced the festival once, she feels more prepared going into the weekend. Emily explained that one of the biggest things she learned last year was the importance of planning. From creating a schedule of which artists to see to knowing when to arrive early for popular performances, experience plays a big role in making the most of the weekend.
She also noted that the crowd’s energy is one of the most memorable parts of the festival. “Everyone is just so excited to be there, and it makes the performances even better,” she said. Darrah plans to take advantage of that energy again this year, while also making time to explore more of the food vendors and attractions she may have missed the first time.
Overall, Lollapalooza 2026 is shaping up to be an unforgettable event, bringing together huge artists, diverse music, and fans from all over the world. For Berkley students like Pollock and Darrah, it’s not just about the lineup—it’s about the memories and experiences that come with being part of such a massive and energetic festival.
