About the Festival
Celebrating 11 years in 2016, the internationally recognized Pitchfork Music Festival presents over 40 bands throughout the course of three days each summer in Chicago's Union Park. The festival highlights the best in new and emerging music.
Since 2006, this independently run festival has consistently proven to be one of the most welcoming, reasonably priced, and rewarding weekends of music around.
Hosting attendees of all ages from across the U.S. and 26 countries, the festival offers a wide array of activities beyond the music. With 50 individual vendors, as well as specialty fairs, the fest supports local businesses, and promotes the Chicago arts community as a whole.
The festival maintains a commitment to keeping ticket prices low, providing new and useful amenities, and working with the city's best local vendors each year.
Sponsors
Promotional Partners
Vendors
Every year, Pitchfork Music Festival hosts independent retail vendors, including many Chicago-based organizations. Check out the vendors we’re hosting this year!
Food:
Non-Profits:
Rules & Regulations
Artists subject to change.
No outside food or beverage except two sealed bottles of water.
No video recorders and no cameras with detachable lenses will be allowed on the festival grounds. If you are at all unsure about the equipment you're planning to bring, leave it at home!
Children under the age of 10 are free when accompanied by an adult.
Re-Entry Policy
Please keep in mind that there will be absolutely no re-entry into the festival.
Photography
By entering the festival grounds you will be agreeing to allow your image to possibly be photographed or filmed for the use of the producers. You are not allowed to bring in video cameras or professional- quality cameras (NO cameras with detachable lenses).
Ticket Re-Assignment & Other Ticket Issues
PMF uses print-at-home tickets. All purchased tickets need to be printed at home. If changes occur to your plans and you can no longer attend the festival, you can transfer tickets to another party by simply giving your print-at-home ticket to your friend. No name changes are needed. PLEASE NOTE: each barcoded ticket will permit only one entry per day, prohibiting multiple copies of the same ticket from being used.
Accommodations
Please check here for a list of suggested accommodations. Camping is not available on the festival grounds or surrounding area.
Special Dietary Needs
PMF works hard to accommodate the dietary needs and preferences of all our guests. One third of festival food vendors present menus that provide gluten-free and vegan options. If your dietary needs are extraordinary, please see information about medical needs.
Pre-Existing Medical Needs
If you have pre-existing medical conditions that require medication, special diets, or simply awareness, please notify our security staff when entering the festival. They can direct you to our first aid tent near the main gate to ensure that medications are properly stored, and other needs are met. Please bring a copy of a letter from a medical professional.
If you have any medical-related questions, please email our medical staff.
Prohibited 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), selfie sticks, pets, food, beverages (other than sealed bottled water), drugs or drug paraphernalia.
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.
Alcoholic Beverages
A valid government-issued photo ID is required to purchase alcoholic beverages on the festival grounds. Attendees will need to show their ID to festival security personnel in order to receive a wristband that will allow them to purchase alcohol. Sales of alcohol will end promptly at 9:30 pm. There are NO REFUNDS for unused beverage tickets.
Security & Safety
Chicago's well-respected and experienced S3 will be providing their services at the Pitchfork Music Festival. Their presence is intended to make this concert experience safe and fun for everyone. Please respect and follow all rules and regulations. They were created with your safety in mind.
Health & Common Sense
We want all our visitors to have a healthy and safe festival experience, so please take these common-sense steps to ensure you’re feeling great when the weekend is over: (1) stay hydrated; (2) eat regularly; (3) dress appropriately; and (4) protect yourself from the sun.
Weather
The Pitchfork Music Festival will take place rain or shine.
Acts & Set Times
All acts advertised have confirmed their appearance at the Pitchfork Music Festival. Acts, however, are subject to change without notice. A complete list of set times will be released in early June, but may be subject to change.
Lost & Found
Lost and Found is located in the will call trailer on Ashland Avenue. You can pick up lost and found items at Union park for one week after the festival.
Please Respect Our Neighbors
Union Park and the surrounding historic neighborhoods have been very gracious in welcoming us to their home for eleven years. Please show your respect and consideration for them as you enter and leave the festival. Don't be loud, don't litter, don't lock your bikes to private property, and don't post or distribute flyers in the neighborhood. Please help us to continue the longstanding exchange of goodwill with the wider community around our event.
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation will be ticketing people for posting flyers on light poles, telephone poles, or any other piece of city property. At $250 per flyer, you might want to consider whether this will be a cost-effective way to promote your band/energy drink/toothpaste/movie night/etc.
Please visit this website regularly for the most up-to-date information.
All rules and regulations are subject to change.
