FAQs

Tickets

• Help! I have a problem with my ticket.

  For any ticketing issues, address changes, or ticket upgrades, please email FrontGate Tickets at order-support@frontgatetickets.com. Please include the name of your event and city in the subject line and your 8-digit Order ID, the last 4 digits of the card used to purchase, the telephone number listed on your order and a brief summary of your issue in the body of your email.

  Reach out to wcsmokeout@leye.com for all other questions.

• Can I buy my tickets from third-party sites or sellers like Vivid Seats?

  Do NOT purchase tickets from other third-party sites or people. They are not authorized sellers and we cannot guarantee the legitimacy of tickets. To be safe, you should only purchase through our website or the TicketMaster Verified Ticket Exchange.

  Ticketmaster Verified Ticket Exchange

• How do I book the cabanas?

  Thank you for your interest in booking a cabana. Please reach out to our special events team windycitysmokeoutevents@leye.com

  Send a note to our parties team.

• What are the differences between VIP and Platinum?

  VIP
  - Elevated and Shaded Viewing Areas
  - Air conditioned bathrooms
  - Access to private cash bars
  - Complimentary mobile charging stations
  - Official Windy City Smokeout Welcome gift
  
  
  Platinum
  - Deluxe Climate Controlled Upper Deck and Shaded Viewing Areas
  - Stage Pit Viewing Access
  - Top shelf beer/wine/cocktails included
  - VIP parking access with golf cart service to and from festival grounds
  - Air conditioned bathrooms
  - $25 BBQ Bucks preloaded onto wristbands
  - Curated BBQ service in private dining area
  

• Do tickets include food?

  Tickets cover admission to the festival. All food and drink are an additional cost. Vendors sell mains for around $9 – $20 and side items for around $7.

• Does my child need a ticket?

  Children 10 and under will be admitted at no charge (excluding the VIP section). Any guest accompanying a child in the VIP section must purchase a ticket for that child.

• Do you offer a military discount?

  Thank you for your service. At this time, we do not offer a military discount. Any offers will be coordinated through Vet Tix.

• A group of my friends and I are planning on attending. Are there group packages/discounts?

  All group inquiries are handled by our special events team.

  Send a note to our parties team.

• When will my wristbands arrive?

  Wristbands will be mailed in June, a few weeks prior to the festival. FrontGate will provide an email with tracking information (including a link) that will have the most up-to-date information on your order.

• Can I replace my wristband?

  If you received a damaged wristband, please reach out to Izzy Shaindlin at ishaindlin@leye.com with proof of receipt and your confirmation number. We’ll work with FrontGate to ship you a new wristband.

  Send a note to Izzy Shaindlin at ishaindlin@leye.com.

• What happens if I'm added to the ticket waitlist?

  Thanks for reaching out! The system will send you an email when they release the waitlist ticket options. Unfortunately, we don't have an exact timeline for when that would happen, but we recommend you continue checking your email.

Talent & Vendor Inquiries

• I'm an artist and I'm interested in playing Smokeout.

  Send an EPK to music-production@leye.com and our booking team will be in touch if you have the right fit.

• I'm interested in participating as a food vendor at Smokeout.

  Thank you for your interest in participating at the Windy City Smokeout! We are fully booked this year. Please look out for our 2024 festival application on this page later this year to officially apply.

• I’m interested in participating as a non-food vendor.

  Thank you for your interest in participating at the Windy City Smokeout! We are fully booked this year. Please look out for our 2024 festival application on this page later this year to officially apply.

• Media/PR Inquiries

  Please reach out to Megan at megan@pageonepublicrelations.com and Natalie at natalie@pageonepublicrelations.com.

What’s Allowed and What’s Prohibited

ALL bags and purses must be 10” x 6” x 2“ or under, with the exception of breast bumps and medical bags. To speed up entry, leave your bags and purses at home.”

• Click to See Allowed Items

  -Small clutches
  -Purses
  -Medical bags
  -Diaper bags
  -Totes
  -Empty water bottles
  -Strollers
  -Max size: 10” x 6” x 2”

• Click to See Prohibited Items

  -Coolers
  -Outside food and drink
  -Large bags
  -Lawn/folding chairs
  -Anything over 10” x 6” x 2” (with the exception of breast pumps and medical bags)

Box Offers Hours/Location

• Where will the Box Office be located?

  The Box Office will be located at the intersection of Madison Street and Wood Street in Chicago, just outside the main entrance to the festival.

• Will there be offsite Box Offices this year?

  Yes, dates and location information are coming soon.

• What are the Box Office hours?

  Thursday 7/13: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
  Friday 7/14: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
  Saturday 7/15: 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
  Sunday 7/16: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
  

How To Get Here

• Where is the festival located?

  The festival will take place in United Center Parking Lot C, located at 1901 West Madison St. Chicago, IL 60612.

• Where is the festival entrance?

  The entrance is located at Madison and Wood.

• I’m not from Chicago. Where should I stay?

  We recommend staying at a hotel in the West Loop, the downtown Loop, or River North neighborhoods. Outside of hotels, there are many Airbnb options throughout the city as well.

• Do you have specific rideshare instructions?

  All rideshares will pick up and drop off in Lot E located at Madison and Wood.

• Is the festival accessible by public transit?

  Yes, but we suggest considering rideshare options before public transportation.

• Do you have parking?

  Yes, parking will be available on-site at the United Center. Pricing is as follows:
  -Lot H (includes ADA): $42.00
  -Lot K: $31.00
  -All other lots: $26.00
  

Health and Safety

• Where is the first aid tent located?

  First aid will be located near the main entrance on the south side of Madison.

• Where are the restrooms?

  Restrooms are located within the United Center and along the north side of Warren Street. Our VIP and Platinum Decks have their own bathroom access.

• Do you provide on-site security?

  Yes, the Windy City Smokeout works closely with the City of Chicago Police Department in addition to our internal security team.

• Can I bring my service dog?

  Yes, all service animals are permitted on festival grounds.
  

• Is there a nursing room onsite?

  A nursing room will be available in the United Center. Please check in with first aid to gain access.

Accessibility

• Is the festival ADA friendly?

  Seating, parking, and restrooms to accommodate guests with disabilities will be available. ADA guests may bring one designated companion guest into the ADA section. All guests in the accessible seating area must have a paid ticket. Service animals are permitted. If you have questions regarding specific accommodations, please contact us at wcsmokeout@leye.com.

• Do you provide wheelchairs?

  The United Center does not provide wheelchairs, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Weather

• What happens in the event of rain/inclement weather?

  The festival will go on as planned rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, festival goers will be evacuated. Please note that we do not offer refunds of any kind. We recommend purchasing ticket insurance at check out.

Lost and Found

• Where is the lost and found located?

  Lost and found is located at guest services near the main entrance. Post-festival, items will be brought to Bub City - River North location and held for two weeks.
  

• How do I contact the lost and found?

  Email us at wcsmokeout@leye.com, or call the Bub City - River North location at (312) 610-4200.