Welcome!
The Grant Park Music Festival is thrilled to present to you another season of family-friendly, world-class music-making, free of charge on Chicago's lakefront.
Security & Entering the Park
All visitors must pass through security checkpoints. Checkpoints are located on Randolph and Monroe Streets and are open 90 minutes prior to the start of the concert.
How do I get there via public transportation?
There are many options:
CTA Trains: exit Lake, Washington or Wabash and walk east.
CTA Bus: 3, 4, 6, J14, 20, 56, 60, 124, 146, 147, 151, 157
Metra: Metra Electric District and South Shore Line service Millennium Park Station, located underneath the Park.
Where can I park?
You can find on-site parking at Millennium Park Garage, located at 5 S Columbus Drive, just under the Pavilion, and at Grant Park Garage North at 25 N Michigan Avenue.
Festival members are eligible for discounted parking. To take advantage of the discount, you must submit the parking form within five business days of your first visit to the Festival, and then pick up your discount card. Please see the Member Corner for more information.
Rain or Shine
Unless severe weather is predicted, the show will go on—rain or shine! Severe weather is described as lightning and or rain with heavy winds that moves into the immediate vicinity of Millennium Park.
- In the event of severe weather (as determined by the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management), the performance will be halted and the stage doors of the Pritzker Pavilion will be closed.
- Audience members will be instructed to leave the seating area and lawn and to seek shelter in the parking garages located on the east side of the Pritzker Pavilion. Park staff in yellow vests will assist patrons.
- Periodic announcements will be made to let patrons know if weather patterns will allow the Festival to resume the performance or if the performance is to be cancelled.
- Updates will also be posted on the Festival website (gpmf.org) and our social media sites including Facebook, and Instagram.
The Festival does not offer refunds on reserved seats.
Pre-Concert Talks/Activities
Pre-concert talks for Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion begin one hour prior to the start of the concert. They are free and open to the public and take place in the Chase Promenade North Tent along the western edge of the pavilion.
Program Notes
Program notes are posted on the detail page of each concert.
Using Your Seating Pass
You can access the member section with your One Night Pass presented either on your mobile device or on a printout.
Open Rehearsals
We welcome visitors to take a seat in the pavilion and enjoy rehearsals of the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus. The rehearsal schedule varies, but (generally) starts mid-morning Tuesdays through Fridays and lasts until after lunch. On Tuesdays, the Orchestra rehearses twice with a second rehearsal in the afternoon.
Food, Beer and Wine?
We welcome and encourage picknickers. Outside alcoholic beverages are permitted. Food, beer and wine are available for purchase in the Park. There are numerous restaurants and a Mariano's grocery store within walking distance. Metal knives are not permitted. No outside alcoholic beverages will be permitted at the the Independence Day Salute (July 4) or Common with the Grant Park Orchestra (July 20).
Can we talk during the concerts?
People in the the Seating Bowl tend to listen to the music. Some people talk while seated on the Great Lawn. We only ask that you be considerate of your neighbors, as our state-of-the-art sound system is delivering high-quality audio, and people are listening!
Lost and Found
Questions about lost and found items should be directed to the Welcome Center (open 9am-5pm & later during events). 312.742.1168
Are the restrooms accessible and family friendly?
Yes. These are located down the ramp adjacent the stage on either side.