FAQs

Wristbands

• Help! I have a problem with my wristband.

  For any wristband issues, address changes, or 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.
  
  If you bought a ticket on a third-party sites (StubHub, Eventbrite, etc.), please reach out to that site directly with any questions or issues. We cannot confirm or access any ticket information for purchases made on third-party sites.

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

• Can I buy my wristbands 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@lettuce.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 wristbands 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 wristband?

  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.

• What if my wristband shows up damaged?

  If you received a damaged wristband in the mail, please hold on to the wristband to exchange at Will Call prior to entering the festival grounds.

• 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.

• Can I exit and reenter the festival with my wristband?

  Yes, you can exit and reenter at will as long as your wristband stays on.
  

Talent & Vendor Inquiries

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

  Send an EPK to music-production@lettuce.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! 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! 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 reusable water bottles and hydration packs, and plastic, or aluminum water bottles
  -Strollers
  -Cameras (basic point and shoot consumer-grade cameras) without detachable lenses and other accessories
  -Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers is allowed in the size of 3.4 ounces or less
  -Max size: 10” x 6” x 2”

• Click to See Prohibited Items

  -Coolers
  -Outside food and drink
  -Large bags
  -Lawn/folding chairs
  -Aerosol containers, including sunscreen and personal beauty products (NOTE: Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers is allowed in the size of 3.4 ounces or less)
  -Professional audio recording equipment
  -Professional cameras and professional recording (photo, video, audio) equipment (NO large professional detachable zoom lenses, stands, monopods, tripods, attachment sticks (selfie sticks) or other commercial equipment
  -Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“Drones”) and remote controlled devices
  -Glass containers of any kind
  -Firearms, knives or weapons of any kind
  -Fireworks, explosives or smoke bombs
  -Illegal and Illicit substances of any kind
  -Airhorns or other distracting noisemakers
  -Umbrellas
  -Flag poles, staffs or sticks
  -Pets (except service animals to aid persons with disabilities)
  -Laser pointers or pens
  -Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons, carts or any personal motorized vehicles
  -Tents, canopies, or shade structures of any kind
  -Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors are not allowed. No unauthorized solicitation and materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, giveaways, samples, etc.
  -No bike chains, bike locks, or wallet chains (that exceed 12” in length & 1” in width)
  -Costumes or masks, which obscure or cover one’s face(safety face masks, such as surgical & N95s are acceptable)
  -Clothing or signage with offensive or vulgar language or blocks attendees view of entertainment
  -Any other items deemed dangerous or inappropriate
  -Anything over 10” x 6” x 2” (with the exception of breast pumps and medical bags)

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

The safety of our guests, staff, etc. is of paramount importance to the Windy City Smokeout. View our full safety policy. 

• 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@lettuce.com.

• Do you provide wheelchairs?

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

Wristband Activation

• Received a damaged wristband?

  Reach out to wcsmokeout@lettuce.com with proof of receipt, image of the damaged wristband, and your confirmation number. 

• Waiting on your wristband?

  The tracking link you received from FrontGate will have the most up-to-date information. If you still have not received your wristband by festival weekend, you may pick up a replacement at the Box Office. 

• 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 do I get my wristbands?

  All wristbands will be shipped to the address provided in the weeks leading up to Windy City Smokeout. Tracking will be sent to you once your package has shipped.

• How do I register my wristband?

  Head to the link below and follow the instructions!

  Wristband Registration

• I have issues registering my wristbands. Help?

  For questions about registering for Smokeout Cashless, please reach out to support@bestringpos.com.

• Do I need a wristband?

  Yes, your wristband is your ticket and will need to be worn to be admitted to the festival.

• How do I add Smokeout Cashless?

  Simply register for Smokeout Cashless to make payments at food and beverage vendors, merch and other locations around the park without having to carry around your credit or debit cards. Please note, Discover is not accepted.

• Can I pick up my wristbands before the festival to avoid will call lines?

  We will have an off-site box office at Bub City River North (435 North Clark Street) on Tuesday, July 11: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM for guests to pick up their wristbands. Please bring a valid photo ID.
  

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 Will Call. 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@lettuce.com, or call the Bub City - River North location at (312) 610-4200.