Chicago’s iconic Grant Park came alive on July 31, 2025, as the four-day Lollapalooza music festival officially kicked off. The widely anticipated opening featured two headliners: Tyler, the Creator on the T-Mobile Stage and Luke Combs on the Bud Light Stage, both closing out a high-energy first night.
Returning to the live music spotlight after festival appearances in Argentina and Chile, Olivia Rodrigo is set to bring her pop-rock edge to her headline slot on Friday, August 1, joined by nu-metal pioneers Korn, who return to Lollapalooza for the first time since 1997.
The weekend’s headlining acts continue to showcase diversity across genres. Rüfüs Du Sol and TWICE, the first female K‑Pop group to headline Lolla, are scheduled for Saturday, August 2, while Sabrina Carpenter and A$AP Rocky will close the festival on Sunday, August 3.
Festival-goers are enjoying performances from over 170 artists across eight stages, including Gracie Abrams, Doechii, Clairo, T‑Pain, Martin Garrix, and many others, reflecting the festival’s continued commitment to genre variety and rising talent.
Organizers report strong ticket sales, with resale platforms offering four-day passes starting near $630 including fees, and single-day tickets priced from about $192. The Friday lineup, headlined by Olivia Rodrigo and Korn, remains one of the most in-demand.
Critics and fans alike have praised the festival’s genre-spanning scope, with pop, hip-hop, EDM, rock, and country all well represented. Observers noted that the 2025 iteration leans less rock-centric than past editions, aligning with broader trends in today’s mainstream music preferences.
Beyond the music, sustainability efforts are a prominent feature this year. The festival reintroduced hybrid battery power for the main stage—cutting fuel use and emissions by 67%—and offers complimentary bicycle services within the site to promote low-impact transportation. These efforts highlight Lollapalooza’s evolving focus on environmental consciousness amid large-scale entertainment production.
Media coverage also emphasizes how the city of Chicago is embracing the festival. Locals and those without tickets are joining the celebration through related events, neighborhood concerts, and live-streaming select performances at home. This level of engagement underscores how the festival continues to shape the city’s summer culture while expanding access to music fans beyond the gates of Grant Park.
For many attendees, the opening day was a vivid prelude to a weekend shaped by standout performances, cultural diversity, and a renewed sense of community. Lollapalooza 2025 stands as a reminder of how mega-festivals can not only entertain but also evolve, reflecting the values and sounds of a changing audience.