Another year of Lollapalooza is officially in the books, and somehow Chicago continues to raise the bar.
From the moment the gates opened in Grant Park, it was clear that Lollapalooza 2026 would be a weekend full of unforgettable performances, incredible fan energy, and countless moments that reminded us why this festival remains one of the biggest highlights of the summer. Whether you came for your favorite headliner; eat at the endless food and drink vendors; discovered a new artist, or simply wanted to soak in the atmosphere, this year’s festival delivered on every level.
The Performances That Had Everyone Talking
This year’s lineup gave us no shortage of unforgettable moments, but a few sets stood out long after the weekend ended. John Summit kicked off Thursday night with an explosive headlining performance on the Bud Light Stage, setting the tone for an incredible four days of music. Over on Perry’s Stage.
Friday belonged to Charli XCX, whose headlining set on the T-Mobile Stage had the entire crowd singing, dancing, and fully embracing the Brat energy that has defined the past year. It was one of those performances that reminded us exactly why she’s one of pop’s most exciting live acts.
Disco Lines delivered one of Saturdays’s biggest dance parties, proving why he’s become such a fan favorite in the electronic scene.
Sunday closed out with one of the toughest decisions of the weekend: The Chainsmokers closing down Perry’s Stage while Tate McRae headlined the T-Mobile Stage at the very same time. Whether you found yourself dancing through Perry’s massive production or singing along across the park with Tate while she dipped herself in gold, there truly wasn’t a wrong choice to end the festival.
Every stage brought something special throughout the weekend. One of our favorite parts of covering Lollapalooza is watching fans sprint across Grant Park to catch artists from completely different genres all in the same day. That mix of pop, indie, electronic, hip-hop, rock, and everything in between is what makes Lolla feel so unique year after year.
Some of our favorite moments came from artists who transformed their sets into full experiences, not just concerts. Between massive crowd singalongs, emotional performances, jaw-dropping visuals, and high-energy dance sets, there was never a shortage of moments that made us stop filming just to soak it all in.
Beyond the Music
While the lineup always brings people through the gates, the festival experience extends far beyond the stages.
Brand activations once again stepped up their game this year, creating immersive spaces where fans could cool off, customize merch, snap photos, discover new products, and take home exclusive giveaways. Walking through Chow Town, exploring interactive installations, and stumbling across pop-up experiences became just as much a part of the weekend as catching your favorite artist.
One of the standout additions this year was the debut of the Suites at Perry’s, offering a new way to experience one of Lollapalooza’s most iconic stages. We had the opportunity to check them out firsthand, and it was a unique perspective on the festival, combining an elevated viewing experience with a comfortable space to recharge while still being immersed in the energy that Perry’s is known for. It was exciting to see Lollapalooza continue introducing new ways for fans to enjoy the festival while keeping the signature atmosphere that makes Perry’s such a staple of the weekend.
It was exciting to see brands and festival organizers continue investing in experiences that felt genuinely fun rather than simply promotional, giving festival-goers plenty to explore between sets.
The Festival Babes Experience
One of the best parts of the weekend was getting to meet so many members of our community in person.
Whether you stopped us to say hello, shared recommendations for your favorite sets, showed off your festival outfits, or ended up in one of our videos, thank you for making this weekend so memorable. Seeing familiar faces, and meeting so many new ones, is always one of our favorite parts of festival season.
Our team spent the weekend capturing everything from crowd reactions, yummy bites, fashion moments, and anything in between. If you’ve been following along on our social channels, you’ve only seen a fraction of everything we filmed! However, the best way to experience Lollapalooza, is in-person. *Starts up the Lollapalooza 2027 groupchat* 👀📲
Until Next Year
Every year we leave Grant Park exhausted, sunburned, and somehow already looking forward to doing it all over again.
Lollapalooza continues to be more than just a music festival. It’s a place where friendships are made, artists become lifelong favorites, and thousands of people come together to celebrate music and community for one unforgettable weekend. And let’s not forget, this festival is hosted in a world-class city, Chicago! Truly a best of both worlds!
To everyone who danced with us, shared your favorite moments, and followed our coverage throughout the weekend, thank you for being part of it.
Until next year, Lollapalooza! ❤️