Millennium Park  >  Plan Your Visit  >  Policies and Regulations

A security perimeter and bag check will take place for all Jay Pritzker Pavilion events and outside alcohol will be prohibited at these six events:

• May 24–25: Chicago House Music Festival
• June 7–9: Chicago Blues Festival
• June 30: Chicago Mariachi Festival
• July 4: Grant Park Music Festival Independence Day Salute
• August 12: Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert
• August 29–September 1: Chicago Jazz Festival

Outside alcohol will be allowed at the other 70 public concerts and programs happening in Millennium Park this summer.

Like previous years, alcohol will also be prohibited at the two ticketed concerts presented by Jam Productions (June 3 & June 17) and the ticketed Chicago Gourmet (September 28–30)

Visitors will have additional food and beverage options at various price points available for purchase inside the venue at the events where outside alcohol is restricted. Subject to bag search at the security perimeter, guests will continue to be allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages to all events at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Security gates typically open 2–3 hours before each event. The park, within the event perimeter, will be closed 1 hour before gates open for event preparations.

Please be patient and plan ahead for the Millennium Park Security Perimeter. Knowing what items are prohibited will help speed your bag check. Entry may be faster for those without bags. Please review the full prohibited items list before your visit:

• Pets (except for service animals)
• Hammocks
• Totems, flags, banners, lawn stakes
• Tents, canopies, shade structures, umbrellas (staked or golf)
• Balloons
• Noise makers
• Laser pointers
• All metal knives and cutlery (**corkscrews and plastic/compostable cutlery ARE allowed)
• Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, personal motorized vehicles (exception ADA mobility devices)
• Drones, hoverboards, motorized toys
• Professional grade walkie-talkies or radios
• Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors
• Unauthorized solicitation and materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, samples, giveaways, etc.
• Illegal and illicit substances of any kind including drugs or drug paraphernalia
• Firearms, explosive, weapons of any kind *(including pocket knives, pepper spray, fireworks, etc)
• Open flames
• Outside Alcohol Prohibited at select events (see above)
• Any item deemed dangerous by Security

This list is subject to change.

MP Event Guidelines:

• Bags and coolers must be smaller than 26L x 15W x 15H
• Smoking including e-cigs or vaping devices is not allowed on the Great Lawn or in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion seating area. Please smoke only in the designated perimeter.
• Umbrellas may only be used in inclement weather
• Professional video, audio and photography equipment and set up are not allowed except for previously approved media professionals.
• If venue is nearing capacity you may be asked to release held space.

Millennium Park Policies:

Please observe these general Millennium Park rules to ensure that everyone’s visit is enjoyable. Download the Millennium Park Rules (PDF)

If you see something suspicious, say something to on-site security personnel or call 9-1-1. Be familiar with the surrounding area and heed staff and security warnings.

Additional rules and regulations apply at events in Millennium Park:

Capacity:

The venue will close once capacity has been reached. Announcement of capacity closure will come via @Millennium_Park Twitter and with venue signage; there will be no pre closure capacity based announcements. Concert-goers are recommended to arrive early, as entry cannot be guaranteed.

Weather:

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. Follow us on Twitter @Millennium_Park for weather-related announcements. Unfortunately, we cannot respond to every weather question.

The Pavilion and Great Lawn are not protected from the elements. The Great Lawn’s design allows water to drain quickly. Please plan ahead for your comfort while in our outdoor venue.

The Great Lawn will be closed except during events. There are auxiliary lawns around the perimeter of the venue where you may picnic when the Great Lawn is closed.

General:

Professional video and photography equipment set up is not allowed at live Millennium Park events except for previously approved media professionals.

Please dance.

Please keep all aisles clear; no sitting, standing or dancing in the aisles.

Please be respectful of our park landscaping and keep it beautiful for all to enjoy. Do not trample the plantings or pull the tree limbs. Thank you.