Millennium Park

Covering almost 25 acres of what was once an industrial wasteland, the city has turned one of its biggest eyesores into one of the largest tourist attractions in the area. Millennium Park, a world-class public park along Chicago’s lakefront, is now a bustling hub of activity throughout the year. Primarily known for the Cloud Gate sculpture, or “The Bean”, as Chicagoans call it, the park also sports some of the most beautiful views in the city.

During the winter, many people can be found taking advantage of McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, which hosts 100,000 skaters over the 4-month period that it remains open. During the warmer months, this area gives way to both Chicago’s largest outdoor dining facility, the Park Grill Plaza, and its even larger indoor affiliate, The Park Grill.
The Lurie Garden, a 2.5 acre allotment, has been artistically created to depict the city’s past and future. The past is represented by a shadier area, in which the plants are overshadowed by a large canopy. The future consists of colorful plants that flourish under direct sunlight, and because of this the area does not contain any trees.

• Jay Pritzker Pavilion
• AT&T Plaza and Cloud Gate
• Lurie Garden
• Crown Fountain
• Harris Theater
• Chase Promenade
• McDonald’s Cycle Center
• Nichols Bridgeway
• Boeing Galleries
• Exelon Pavilions
• McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink and Park Grill
• Wrigley Square
• BP Pedestrian Bridge

From the City of Chicago

• Do I need a ticket for a free public program in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion?

No ticket is needed. Admission is free for seats in both the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Great Lawn for events presented by the City of Chicago. For evening shows, the Pavilion opens one hour prior to the start of the concert. Please check the program schedule, as there are occasional contracted, ticketed rentals during the season, where the allowances of free, public events do NOT apply with seating and alcohol.

• Can I save seats in the Pavilion?

General seating in the Pavilion and on the Great Lawn is available on a first-come, first-served basis. In the seating bowl, you may save only one (1) seat prior to the start of each show. Once the show has started, you must relinquish your seat. Please note that Millennium Park reserves the right to close the seating bowl and Great Lawn due to reaching capacity and appreciates your cooperation in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of your concert-going experience.

• What happens when the Jay Pritzker Pavilion reaches capacity?

Please note that Millennium Park reserves the right to close the seating bowl and lawn when it reaches capacity and appreciates your cooperation in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of your concert-going experience. Once the venue has reached its capacity, entry will be on a one-in, one-out basis (at the southwest corner of the Great Lawn only). Concert-goers are therefore recommended to arrive early, as entry cannot be guaranteed.

• What about items I lost or found in the Park?

To inquire about lost or found items in the park, please call 312.744.6050.

• May I bring beer or wine to the Park when I come for a concert?

For most public performances in Millennium Park, alcohol is allowed in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Great Lawn. As long as guests are orderly and respectful of the Park and other guests, they may remain for an hour after the concert ends. For occasional ticketed events, concert rules are determined by an outside vendor, which may prohibit guests from bringing alcohol into the Park. Open alcohol is NOT permitted to be consumed unless within the Jay Pritzker Pavilion during a free, public concert, film, festival or program.

• May I bring a picnic basket?

Yes! Millennium Park is the perfect place for a picnic and a night of music and dining al fresco. However, in order to ensure that events are enjoyable for all attendees and to protect the lawn from wear and tear, please respect the following rules of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion: Tents, oversized umbrellas, oversized blankets or plastic tarps, helium balloons, oversized flags, signs/banners, barbeque grills, open flame candles or staking of any kind are not allowed on the Great Lawn area.

• May I buy beer or wine in the Park? How about food?

New this year—we have food trucks on the east side of Jay Pritzker Pavilion for most concerts and films. For schedules and updates, socialize with us on Facebook and Twitter. And quench your thirst at the Goose Island Beer Garden, on the east side of Jay Pritzker Pavilion—serving beer, wine, soda, water, sparkling water and coffee. In addition, concessions can be purchased throughout the Park, including from the concession carts located on the Chase Promenade and at the Park Grill and Café on the McCormick Tribune Plaza. Alcohol may only be consumed in the seating area and the Great Lawn during Jay Pritzker Pavilion events. Beer and wine sales within Jay Pritzker Pavilion end one half-hour prior to the end of the concert or film.

• What is the rain policy? Are the seats in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion covered in case of rain?

Concerts and performances in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion are held rain or shine, unless there are severe weather warnings and/or the imminent threat of lightning in the area. The Pavilion seats are not protected from the elements. The Great Lawn has a high-tech design with underlying layers of sand and gravel that allows water to drain quickly. Follow us on social media for weather-related updates on concerts, programs and events.

• Are recording devices allowed during a concert?

Photography, video or recording devices are prohibited at all concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

• May I smoke?

Smoking is prohibited in the seating area of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Great Lawn, the Lurie Garden, the east and west arcades by the restrooms and the east and west Exelon Buildings.

• May I bring my dog along?

Animals are not permitted in Millennium Park, unless they are service animals.

• Can I display my face on the Crown Fountain?

The Crown Fountain is a “live” piece of art, and in its establishment has an agreement with the City, park donors/founders/funders, and the artist (Jaume Plensa) that it not be used for any purposes other than to stream the faces on the displays which were curated by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
The image of Cloud Gate is copyrighted and trademarked to the artist (Anish Kapoor). Any commercial use of these images is strictly prohibited unless approved by the artist. Please contact DCASE at 312.744.1373, if you have any questions. Projections of images on Cloud Gate are also precluded by this copyright.

• Does Millennium Park have WiFi?

Yes, Millennium Park has free WiFi service provided by SilverIP, you can log in at “Park WiFi”.

Address:
Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone:
312.742.1168
Hours:
Open from 6 – 11pm, 365 days a year