CHICAGO — Just because Lollapalooza is known as the premier summer music festival in Chicago doesn’t mean it can’t have surprises. One of those surprises this year is the abundance of female performers headlining the four-day festival, coming Thursday to Sunday in Grant Park. From Lorde and Charli XCX to Tate McRae and Olivia Dean, this year’s bookers have provided audiences with a feast of choices.

Aside from the headliners, this year’s Lollapalooza also promises to serve as a showcase for some of the most interesting and charismatic artists on the rise, from Y2K pop artist Slayyyter to Grammy Award-winning R&B underdog Leon Thomas to the brilliant and poignant lyricism of Monaleo. There is something to appeal to everyone.

THURSDAY

Not to miss

Lorde: Lorde (8:30 p.m. T-Mobile) is not your standard pop star, although she broke out in the music industry as a vivacious teenager. Each new album she’s released has been a showcase of the expansive qualities of her sound. On her latest record, “Virgin,” the singer-songwriter delved deep into the personal battles of her life, from big moves and breakups to body image and femininity. That’s also why it’s so special that an artist as revealing as her is set to kick off the festival as Thursday’s headliner. Her set is sure to be one not to miss.

Little Simz: For years, Little Simz (5:45 p.m. Tito’s) has bubbled under the surface. While critical acclaim came easily and instantly in her career, she’s always flown just under the radar as a British hip hop artist. Yet those who know her music love her. “Lotus,” her sixth studio album, received widespread critical acclaim, and her latest EP, “Sugar Girl,” released earlier this spring, was another beautiful addition to her feisty and evocative canon.

Best stage

Bud Light: There is a little bit of everything on the Bud Light stage on Thursday. Whether you’re interested in the millennial pop of Aussie wonders Empire of the Sun, the downtempo grooves of musician and producer Blood Orange, or the indie-electronic optimism of Between Friends, you’re sure to have a good time on the Bud Light stage. Stick around for the stage’s headliner, Chicagoland native John Summit, whose brand of infectious house music has captured the hearts of fans around the world.

Something else

Wet Leg: Lollapalooza may have leaned into genres like pop and electronic music in recent years, but it still dedicates a sizable portion of its lineup to good old-fashioned rock bands, and Wet Leg (7:30 p.m. Allianz), the indie post-punk revivalists from England, are among some of the most interesting on this year’s lineup. Across their two albums, the self-titled “Wet Leg” and “Moisturizer,” the group has found an audience of rockheads and non-rockheads alike who revel in the band’s fun and abrasive brand of rock music. Their late-afternoon set is sure to serve as a perfect palate cleanser for Thursday’s festival.

FRIDAY

Not to miss

Charli XCX: This isn’t Charli XCX’s first time at Lollapalooza. In fact, I first saw her many years ago on one of the side stages with a half-filled crowd. But a lot can change in a few years, and no one knows this quite as well as Charli (8:40 p.m. T-Mobile). With the mega success of her last album, “Brat,” Charli gained mainstream appeal, so much so that she is one of the headliners for Friday. Part pop star and part rocker (as evidenced by the lead single from her new album, called “Rock Music”), Charli is also nothing short of a masterful, engaging performer. Those looking to dance as well as mosh will enjoy her set.

Zara Larsson: Pop stardom is a funny little thing. Take Zara Larsson (4:40 p.m. T-Mobile), for instance. The singer has been a staple on the radio for more than a decade, with hit songs like “Lush Life” and “Symphony,” but she never truly gained widespread notoriety until the last year or so, with the release of her fifth studio album, “Midnight Sun.” The epic dance-pop record, inspired by a summer in her native Sweden, continues to gain footing in the U.S. with hit singles like “Midnight Sun.” Having seen Larsson live, I can say audiences are in for a treat. Her shows perfectly blend audience interaction with choreographed dance numbers and strong vocals. You won’t want to miss it.

Slayyyter: There is something of a trend for Friday: artists who’ve bubbled under the surface for many years and are now getting their due. Slayyyter (6:45 p.m. Airbnb) is no exception. The St. Louis-bred pop star, who makes Y2K-driven music, finally found social media acclaim through the popularity of her singles “Crank It” and “Dance…,” both off her critically acclaimed latest album, “Worst Girl in America.” A viral Coachella set, which saw the audience jumping and singing along to “Crank It,” only helped elevate her presence in the public eye. Fans hoping to recreate that viral festival experience should arrive early.

Best stage

Airbnb: This afternoon, some of the most interesting artists can be found on the Airbnb stage, including the dreamy, nostalgia-laden Love Spells and the charismatic French electronic artist Oklou. This is also where you’ll want to be to catch Slayyyter, but don’t forget to stick around for the utterly unique German DJ, singer and songwriter Horsegiirl, best known for wearing a horse-head mask (Yes, really). Horsegiirl also makes really killer, happy hardcore music. It’s the perfect complement to the abrasive pop of Slayyyter, who performs on the same stage right before her.

Something else

The Smashing Pumpkins: It wouldn’t be a Lollapalooza festival without a nostalgia act, and this year’s festival includes Chicago’s own Smashing Pumpkins (8:30 p.m. Bud Light) as the festival’s major headliner for Friday night. Controversies aside, there’s no better feeling than the camaraderie and community born out of a Smashing Pumpkins set. Old heads and Gen Xers will certainly appreciate this throwback comedown to cap off a busy and eclectic Friday at the festival.

SATURDAY

Not to miss

Leon Thomas: He spent many years working as a songwriter for other artists, most notably Ariana Grande and SZA. Before that, he was largely known as a child actor, appearing on Broadway in musicals like The Lion King and The Color Purple and on Nickelodeon in the sitcom Victorious. But Leon Thomas (4:30 p.m. T-Mobile) always had larger dreams of breaking out as a solo artist, and he finally achieved this with the release of his second album, “Mutt,” in 2024. The album was a critical and commercial smash that also helped him win two Grammys, cementing his bona fides in the industry. Festivalgoers looking for a more chill yet engaging afternoon set should head toward Thomas’s performance on the T-Mobile stage.

Olivia Dean: It’s no wonder that most people love Olivia Dean (8:30 p.m. T-Mobile). The cheeky English singer and songwriter broke through in a big way last year with the release of her sophomore record, “The Art of Loving.” Hit singles like “Man I Need,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Nice to Each Other” cemented her status as an R&B and pop star on the rise. That’s why it’s no surprise that Dean is headlining the T-Mobile stage. Tickets for her sold-out tour, which doesn’t make any stops in Chicago, are selling for hundreds of dollars on resale sites, so this Lollapalooza appearance may be audiences’ only chance to see Dean in Chicago this year. You won’t want to miss her.

Geese: If pop music isn’t your thing, you’ll probably love Geese (7:30 p.m. Allianz), the Brooklyn-based post-punk band that caps off a set of performances on the Allianz stage. Across their four albums, the group has cultivated a rabid fan base dedicated to their brand of experimental rock. This reached a peak last year with the release of their latest record, “Getting Killed,” which received widespread critical acclaim. Energetic and propulsive, their live shows are nothing short of memorable.

Best stage

Bud Light: Arrive early to check out English rockers Wolf Alice. Stick around for rap duo Clipse, who always perform a killer set. Later, Ethel Cain provides a warm yet somber comedown in the early evening with her brand of folk-pop. And for those looking for a K-pop pick-me-up, look no further than Jennie, the Blackpink member who has also established herself as a solo artist in her own right.

Something else

Sienna Spiro: She may have only 45 minutes on the Airbnb stage, but Sienna Spiro (5:15 p.m. Airbnb) is sure to make a splash Saturday afternoon as she dives into songs from her debut EP, “Sink Now, Swim Later,” and her recently released debut album, “Visitor.” The sprightly pop, jazz and soul vocalist has unsurprisingly found a fan base through social media, and the popularity of her single “Die on This Hill,” which has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide, is sure to help her break out even further in the coming years. Getting the chance to hear her on the packed Airbnb stage is a treat that audiences shouldn’t take for granted.

SUNDAY

Not to miss

Muna: What’s not to love about the charismatic indie-pop band Muna (4:45 p.m. T-Mobile)? Their infectious songs and lively stage presence have made them a fan favorite for audiences around the country, and even for Lollapalooza booking agents. The band first played here a decade ago, but since then, their star power has only increased tenfold, culminating in the release of their fourth studio album, “Dancing on the Wall,” which dropped earlier this spring. Revel in their return to the Lollapalooza stage this Sunday afternoon.

Turnstile: Punk is not dead, or at least it’s not from the stylings of Baltimore-based band Turnstile (7 p.m. Bud Light). The group, whose sound has often been described as melodic hardcore and alternative rock, has released four albums, each to more success and acclaim than the last. Audiences interested in the rock side of Lollapalooza will surely want to check out their early-evening set on the Bud Light stage, where fans will hopefully mosh and get rowdy.

Monaleo: The number of rap acts making an appearance at this year’s Lollapalooza has fallen off compared to years past, but thankfully, Houston-bred rapper Monaleo (6:30 p.m. Airbnb) is on this year’s slate. Her 2025 album, “Who Did the Body,” is a Southern Gothic hip-hop winner with instant-classic tunes like “Sexy Soulaan,” which celebrates African American identity and culture. Magnetic in song, Monaleo is sure to captivate new and old fans alike with her stage presence and dedication to having fun.

Best stage

Allianz: Sunday’s lineup is stacked across all of the stages at this year’s Lollapalooza, but I am most excited for the Allianz stage, which features a back-to-back-to-back-to-back lineup of compelling artists. Get there early to see eclectic, but not always, R&B artist Destin Conrad. Pop and soul artist Amber Mark takes the stage next, and is sure to charm curious festival-goers looking for the next Olivia Dean-esque pop crossover. Little Mix member Jade brings her avant-garde pop to the stage next, followed by Aespa, the South Korean girl group that has translated the hyperpop genre into K-pop sounds.

Something else

Jade: There was no way to know what kind of artist Jade (5:45 p.m. Allianz) would become after years in the X Factor-bred girl group Little Mix. That’s why her debut solo studio album, “That’s Showbiz Baby!,” was such a wonder, incorporating elements of synth-pop and disco. The eclectic, almost uncategorizable record is a wonder of lyricism and pop construction. Lead single “Angel of My Dreams” sounds like five different songs in one, and that’s a good thing. On Sunday, she takes the stage in the late afternoon and is sure to wow audiences just as much as she has wowed listeners on her record.

About the festival

Lollapalooza 2026 will take place at Grant Park from July 30 to Aug. 2. Gates open each day at 11 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Main gates are located at Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive and the North Gate on Monroe and Columbus. Guests are required to have a festival wristband for entry and reentry. Guests are allowed to leave and re-enter the festival two additional times after entering. Guests are required to have a festival wristband for entry and re-entry and can leave and re-enter the festival two times after entering. Children 8 years old and under may attend for free while accompanied by a ticket-holding adult (limit two per adult). Most tickets are currently sold out, with limited 1-Day tickets for Sunday available as of press time; more at lollapalooza.com.

Stages

The Bud Light, T-Mobile, Perry’s, Allianz, Kidzapalooza, BMI, Airbnb and Tito’s stages host performances throughout the festival. Each day’s primary headliners perform on the Bud Light and T-Mobile stages, with Perry’s featuring electronic acts.

Updates

For up-to-date information from the festival, follow on TikTok, Facebook, X, Discord and Instagram at @lollapalooza, on the Lollapalooza website and via Lollapalooza’s Festiverse mobile app.

Bags

All bags will be searched before entry. Small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6 by 9 inches or smaller do not need to be clear, but can have no more than one pocket. Larger bags are limited to 12 by 6 by 12 inches maximum and must be clear. Hydration packs are allowed and do not need to be clear, but must be emptied of all liquid and have no more than two main compartments and one smaller compartment. Consult the Lollapalooza website for lists of allowed and prohibited items.

Lockers

Lockers and portable chargers are available for rent; more information and reservations online.

Safety

Lollapalooza has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, including harassment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, body size, appearance, age or national origin. Lollapalooza encourages patrons to contact staff if they feel threatened or unsafe in any way. Patrons in need of emergency medical assistance can go to one of the available medical tents.

Lollapalooza has partnered with This Must Be the Place, an overdose prevention nonprofit. Their booth will supply patrons with Naloxone, an opioid reversal medicine, and offer education on Fentanyl.

Accessibility

Trained service miniature horses or dogs are allowed on festival grounds to assist individuals with a disability. Guests with a service animal will receive a Patron Notice of Responsibility for a Service Animal. Select American Sign Language-interpreted music performances are available for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Upon arrival, guests who require accessible viewing areas should visit the Access Center for information on the accessibility wristband program. Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs and scooters are allowed only for use by patrons with mobility disabilities. Accessible portable toilets are available throughout festival grounds as well as at accessible viewing platforms throughout the festival. Anyone needing prescription medicine must present the pharmacy-labeled container to medical staff at each entrance gate.

Lost and found

Located at the main Guest Services Tent at Columbus and Ida B Wells, and you can also visit lollapalooza.liff.app. Also, register your phone with the festival and you will receive a QR code so that festival staff can contact you.

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