Chicago cancels Lollapalooza 2020

Big plans are underway for the festival’s 30th anniversary in 2021

The city of Chicago has canceled Lollapalooza, along with all other large, outdoor permitted outdoor events through Labor Day, due to COVID-19. It’s the first time in 29 years the festival, which is a Chicago summer staple, has been canceled. It was scheduled from July 30-August 2nd with a lineup that was never announced.

“We must provide ways for people to enjoy the spirit of a Chicago summer while prioritizing health and safety,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot says in a statement as reported by The Chicago Tribune. “As difficult as it is to remove these in-person events from our calendar, we are pulling out all the stops for an inventive, engaging and fun festival season this summer.”

“We wish we could bring Lollapalooza to Grant Park again this year, but we understand why things can’t move forward as planned. The health and safety of our fans, artists, partners, staff and community is always our highest priority,” organizers share in a statement. “It’s difficult to image summer without our annual weekend together, sharing the undeniable energy generated when live music and our incredible community of fans unite.”

A 30th anniversary celebration is currently in the works for the Perry Farrell-founded festival in 2021.

“Rest assured, we will be working hard behind the scenes to deliver Chicago a spectacular celebration of Lollapalooza’s 30th anniversary in the summer of 2021, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you,” organizers say.

In lieu of the live concert, organizers are hosting a weekend-long virtual event July 30th-August 2nd that will include performances from around the city and beyond, epic archival sets from Chicago and the festival’s six international editions with never-before-seen footage from the 1990’s and more.

https://www.facebook.com/lollapalooza/posts/10157188619175849

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn