Location

Union Park

1501 W. Randolph Street

Chicago, IL 60607

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Getting to the Festival

Bike Parking

Biking is a great way to get to the festival. This year we have ample and secure bike parking available at the northwest corner of Union Park near Ashland and Lake.

Divvy

Divvy, Chicago's bike share system has thousands of bikes available at hundreds of stations across the city. Divvy will be offering Valet Service at its Ashland Ave & Lake St station to guarantee you a spot to dock your Divvy bike.

Divvy's Valet Service will run:

  • Friday, July 15
  • Saturday, July 16
  • Sunday, July 17
  • 5pm-11pm
  • 12pm-5:30pm
  • 12pm-5:30pm
More Info

Car

The festival does not provide any parking for festival attendees. There are no sanctioned parking lots for public use in the Union Park area associated with the festival. But why not share a ride via Lyft!

Train

The Ashland stop on the Green and Pink lines is right at the northwest corner of the park. There is an accessible entrance.

Bus

The Ashland #9 bus runs north/south and stops right on the western edge of Union Park. The Madison #20 bus runs east/west and runs just south of the park, it also runs directly from Ogilvie station and is a short walk from Union Station downtown.

Rideshare

Lyft, our official ridesharing partner, has your festival transportation covered. Use code PITCHFORK for $50 in ride credit. Download and get a ride in minutes. Valid for new users only.

Gates

The main gate for the event is located on Ashland Avenue, on the west side of Union Park. Gates open at 3:00 pm on Friday and Noon on Saturday and Sunday. The Box Office opens at 1:00 pm on Friday, and 11:00 am on Saturday and Sunday. Please note, we accept only credit or debit cards at the Box Office, no cash.

  • Gates Open:
  • Friday at 3pm
  • Saturday at Noon
  • Sunday at Noon
  • Box Office Opens:
  • Friday at 1pm
  • Saturday at 11am
  • Sunday at 11am

Things to Bring

Permitted Items

Digital cameras (non-professional), disposable cameras, film cameras (non-professional), fanny packs, sealed bottled water, backpacks/satchels (medium-sized), hats, sun block, lighters, sunglasses, cigarettes, and folding chairs are permitted.

Non-Permitted Items

All attendees will be searched upon entering the festival grounds. The following items will not be allowed: Tents, flags, lounge chairs, musical instruments, knives or other weapons, video cameras, audio recording devices, professional cameras (NO cameras with detachable lenses), pets, food, beverages (other than 2 sealed bottled waters), drugs or drug paraphernalia.

Storage

Keep yourself light on your feet and your phone charged by using one of our lockers to stash your personal items. We provide safe, secure, and easy storage with all-day access so you can come and go to your locker at any time!

You can reserve a locker for one day or all three! When you reserve a locker online, you will receive an email 24 hours before the fest containing your locker location, locker number, and lock combination so you can simply find and use your locker.

Accessibility

The Pitchfork Music Festival is committed to making its facilities accessible to and usable by all patrons and visitors. There are ramps from the sidewalks to street and ADA restrooms. In addition, we can offer wheelchair accessible viewing for the two main stages.

In order to help us create the best experience for you, please contact us ahead of time with any questions, needs or concerns. Direct all inquiries to medical@pitchforkmusicfestival.com.

If you need space to store any equipment such as oxygen tanks or insulin, please email medical ahead of time, so that we can make accommodations.

We have designated viewing platforms for ADA festival attendees. In order to access these platforms, please check-in at the ADA entrance which is on Ashland, just north of the main entrance.

Features

Voter Engagement and Mobilization Project

The Pitchfork Music Festival Voter Engagement and Mobilization Project aims to make a difference both in Chicago and within the Pitchfork community nationwide.

On the local level, the festival will help to fund a nonpartisan effort by the 501(c)(3) Public Action Foundation to register Chicago-area voters in traditionally underrepresented communities. Ticket buyers will be given the option to allocate $5 of their ticket cost to the voter program, while VIP guests of the festival will be required to make a monetary donation when registering for their guest pass. And to make sure every eligible festivalgoer is registered, PAF will also coordinate voter registration activities at Union Park during the festival itself.

At a broader level, Pitchfork will integrate into its site and in the festival ticketing process links to online voter-registration tools for every U.S. state, allowing readers and festival-goers to register themselves.

PAF has a long track record of leading successful efforts to increase democracy through initiatives that make it easier for all citizens to register and vote. Visit www.PAFIllinois.org to find out more about the program and how to get involved.

Flatstock

The country’s best show-poster artists gather to share their work and sell prints at Flatstock, hosted by the American Poster Institute and Speedball.

Chirp Record Fair

Shop for records between sets! CHIRP brings you vinyl selections from indie labels, local record stores, and independent vendors.

Sellers often dig out rarecatalogue items for the event. Plus, buying direct from labels means you save a few pennies by avoiding shipping fees.

Coterie Craft Fair

Coterie Chicago is a jury-selected arts & crafts market within Pitchfork Music Festival 2016.

The works of 40 artists, makers and creative service providers will be featured during the three-day event.

Book Fort

Book Fort is a roving, interactive book fair that seeks to make a meaningful contribution to communities through readings, performances, and opportunities to connect with a highly-curated selection of independent publishers, presses, and literary organizations. A list of Book Fort publishers will be announced soon.

Old Town School of Folk Music Kids Area

Old Town School and Wiggleworms welcomes young children and families to an interactive musical world! Meet the instruments, drum, strum, and pick up some fun festival giveaways. Hours for the kids are Friday 3-6 and Saturday/Sunday 12-6.

Sustainability

CLIF GreenNotes is proud to be the Sustainability Partner for this year’s festival. GreenNotes inspires artists, non-profits and fans to take action together on key sustainability issues. We’re working to reduce energy, water, waste and CO2 emissions, making this year’s one of the most environmentally sound to date. And, be sure to check out the first-ever Virtual EcoVillage at www.gogreennotes.org.

Accommodations

Just blocks away from State/Lake Green Line stop that can take you right to the festival grounds (Ashland Green Line stop).

Within walking distance of Union Park. Easy travel to and from the festival is also available via the Ashland #9 bus.

Within walking distance of the State/Lake stop on the Green Line that can take you right to the festival grounds (via the Ashland Green Line stop).

Located less than 1 mile from festival grounds. The Madison #20 bus will take you to Ashland and Madison (just a few blocks south of Union Park).

Chicago Getaway Hostel has the friendly atmosphere of a hostel with the style, comfort, and service of a boutique hotel. Free wi-fi. Easy travel via the Red or Brown Line to the Green Line Ashland stop; or take the Fullerton #81 bus west to Ashland #9 bus south to Union Park.

  • Hotel Allegro
  • 171 West Randolph Street
  • Chicago, Illinois 60601
  • (312) 236–0123

Conveniently located in the loop within 2 miles of Union Park. Close to all CTA train lines.