Lollapalooza: High Energy, Big Crowds, and Big Impressions
Review by Dahlia Kelly – Photo by Charles Reagan for Lollapalooza 2026
Lollapalooza kicked off with an exciting start – the energy was unmistakable, with thousands of fans eager to experience Chicago’s biggest music weekend.
One of the first performances oh Thursday that immediately set the tone for the festival was Pearly Drops at the Allianz stage. The crowd brought incredible enthusiasm, creating an atmosphere that felt both welcoming and electric. Even early in the day, fans were fully engaged, proving that the excitement of Lollapalooza begins long before the headliners take the stage.
A few of my highlight artists were Avello with Jordin Sparks who made her appearance on his set, 5 Seconds Of Summer and The Neighbourhood whose set was absolutely perfect.
Beyond the music, the festival grounds offered plenty to explore. Gangnam Market returned with a vibrant celebration of Korean culture, featuring a variety of food, shopping, and interactive experiences. One of the biggest highlights was Chicago’s first push-up sushi concept, giving festivalgoers a unique twist on traditional sushi. Nearby, a Burberry Her Pop-Up attracted long lines with complimentary ice cream, interactive photo booths, and opportunities to experience the luxury brand in a fun festival setting.
The Lollapalooza Carnival also remained a favorite destination throughout the four days. Guests could test their luck at classic carnival games for the chance to win exclusive Lollapalooza merchandise. At the same time, the newly introduced Motorola-Razr Ferris wheel offered breathtaking views of Grant Park and the Chicago skyline. Whether riding the attractions or simply taking in the scenery, the carnival added another layer of entertainment to the festival.
Behind the Scenes: Keeping the Festival Safe
While fans enjoyed performances, security teams worked behind the scenes to ensure everyone stayed safe.
Sam, who works for S3 INC and was assigned to VIP security at the T-Mobile stage, described the experience as very positive.
“I’m working VIP, so honestly our crowd is pretty calm. Everybody’s super talkative — they ask us about the shows, who we know, who we’ve liked, and who’s been the best performance so far. Nothing too crazy has happened.”
He explained that medical situations are always a possibility at a festival of this size and are typically heat related issues.
There were also a few memorable celebrity moments throughout the day. “Perry, came into our pit for a little bit with his wife, so that was really cool. The Love Island cast also stopped by the pit on Day 1.”
For security staff, balancing crowd safety while interacting with excited fans became part of the festival experience, helping create an environment that felt welcoming while remaining prepared for emergencies.
A First-Time Lollapalooza Experience
For Katherine, this year’s festival marked her very first Lollapalooza. While she enjoyed the overall atmosphere, she also noticed several aspects that surprised her.
When asked how her weekend had been, she said:
“It’s been a really nice environment overall. One thing that surprised me was seeing younger kids without ear protection. I also wish the weather had been a little better, and there seemed to be more people smoking than I expected.”
She admitted that some parts of the festival caught her off guard. “The amount of smoke and drinking surprised me at first, but after a while you kind of get used to it.”
Like many attendees, Katherine experienced some challenging crowd conditions during popular performances. “People were pushing, shoving, and fainting during Charli XCX’s set. It definitely got intense. But at Lorde’s set, even though people had clearly been drinking, everyone was actually really respectful of each other.”
Finding a good viewing spot depended largely on arriving early. “The first day was pretty easy because I got there early. As the weekend went on, though, it became much harder to get close to the stage because of the weather delays, larger crowds, and people who had been drinking.”
She also shared her thoughts on this year’s official merchandise. “The merchandise has been really good this year. There are a lot of great designs, but the prices are definitely high, and the lines are incredibly long.”
Overall
Lollapalooza delivered exactly what fans came for: memorable performances, exciting brand activations, diverse food experiences, and an atmosphere filled with anticipation. From energetic crowds at the stages to unique attractions throughout the festival grounds, Lollapalooza delivered another unforgettable experience in Chicago.
Links:
Lollapalooza:
Official: http://www.lollapalooza.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lollapalooza
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lollapalooza/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lollapalooza