FAQ

The festival takes place at United Center Lot C, located at 1901 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60612. The main entrance is at the intersection of Madison & Wood.

Thursday, July 10: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT
Friday, July 11: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT
Saturday, July 12: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT
Sunday, July 13: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT

*Festival gates open for those with BBQ Brunch wristbands at 11:30 AM CT on Sunday. The BBQ Brunch (now sold out) must be purchased with 4-Day and Sunday wristbands, and requires a separate wristband for entry.

Festival gates open at 11:30 AM CT on Sunday for those attending the sold out BBQ Brunch experience. A separate BBQ Brunch wristband is required for entry, in addition to a 4-Day or Sunday wristband. 

Please note: BBQ Brunch guests must arrive to the festival grounds by 12 PM CT. We are unable to guarantee admission to the BBQ Brunch after this time.

GA wristbands provide access to the festival grounds, including music performances and general food vendor areas. Food and beverages are purchased separately.

Children 10 and under are free in GA when accompanied by a paying adult. This does not apply to VIP or Platinum—children must have a wristband to enter these areas. Strollers are welcome.

Yes! There are shaded lounge areas, tents and seating available throughout the grounds for comfort and sun relief.

Yes! Download the official Smokeout app to explore the festival map, create your own artist schedule, and get real-time updates.
👉 Get the App

Yes! Outside of music and BBQ, we’ll have several boutique and retail pop-ups on Rodeo Drive, as well as scheduled events on each festival day. 

Yes! Re-entry is allowed as long as you’re wearing your valid wristband.

Hydration: Visit the Ice Mountain Hydration Station just inside the gates (open until 8 PM) or purchase water at any bar or food vendor.

Sunscreen: Head to SpaDerma’s SPF Bar & Hydration Station on Rodeo Drive for free samples and spa water.

During the festival, please visit the Lost & Found tent, located near the festival entrance at Madison & Wood. After the festival, lost items will be stored at Bub City – River North for a limited time—email WCSmokeout@lettuce.com with a description of your item.

Absolutely! Beyond the incredible live music and world-class BBQ, Windy City Smokeout features a curated selection of retail pop-ups along Rodeo Drive, our dedicated shopping row. You’ll find interactive brand experiences and exclusive merchandise from fan-favorite names like Aviator Nation, Tecovas, Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott, Alice & Wonder, Uncommon James, and more. Plus, enjoy scheduled activations and special events happening throughout each day of the festival.

• Uber & Rideshare:
  The dedicated Uber drop-off is located directly across from the main festival entrance in Lot E, just east of Wood St.

• Uber Shuttle:
  Uber Shuttle offers flat fare shared bus rides to fixed locations in Chicago after each night of Windy City Smokeout. Rides range from $7–$12 per person, and each shuttle holds up to 24 riders.
  To book, open the Uber app, tap the “Services” tab at the bottom of the home screen, and select “Shuttle.” Choose your route and departure time, and your ticket will appear in the app.
  At the time of your scheduled departure, show your ticket to the staff at the Uber tent and proceed to Lane 7 at the east end of the lot. Shuttle staff will help you board the correct vehicle and scan your ticket before departure.

  Shuttle Routes:

  • Magnificent Mile (Drop-off at 222 E Chicago Ave)

  • Ogilvie / State & Lake (Drop-offs at Ogilvie Transportation Center and State & Lake “L” Station)

  Departure Times (All Routes):
  July 10–13: 10:15 PM, 10:30 PM, 10:45 PM, 11:00 PM

• Public Transportation:
  The CTA is a great option for getting to the festival. Plan your route at:
  👉 transitchicago.com/planatrip

• Drop-Off by Car:
  The recommended drop-off spot is the NE corner of Madison & Paulina at 11 N. Paulina St.

• Daily Parking:
  Limited, prepaid parking is available at United Center lots:

  • Lot D (Wood St. & Monroe St.)

  • Lot K (Damen Ave. & Madison St.)
    👉 Buy Parking

Yes! Limited, prepaid parking options in official United Center lots will be available for each day of Windy City Smokeout. To purchase parking, visit: https://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/32882?tab=addOns

• Lot D – Corner of Wood St. and Monroe St.
• Lot K – Corner of S. Damen Ave and W. Madison St.

The designated rideshare drop-off / pick-up is located in Lot E, just east of Wood St., directly across from the main festival entrance.

There are two ways to use Uber during Windy City Smokeout:

• Standard Uber Rideshare:
  The dedicated Uber drop-off and pick-up location is in Lot E, just east of Wood St., directly across from the main festival entrance.

• Uber Shuttle:
  Uber Shuttle offers flat fare shared bus rides to fixed locations in Chicago after each night of the festival. Shuttle rides range from $7–$12 per person and can be reserved in advance.

Use the NE corner of Madison & Paulina (address: 11 N. Paulina St.) for the most efficient drop-off / pick-up location.

Your best way to travel to the Windy City Smokeout using public transportation is the CTA. $5 will get you there and back from anywhere in the city. The nearest train stations include: The Damen Green Line, the Ashland & Lake Green / Pink Line, and the IMD Blue Line. We’ve also got plenty of buses that drop you off right by the United Center including the #9 Ashland, #20 Madison, #50 Damen, and #126 Jackson. When the fest is over, the #19 United Center Express can get you to downtown quickly. Find the best route for you at transitchicago.com/planatrip

The Box Office / Will Call will be open on the following dates and times:

• Thursday, July 10: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

• Friday, July 11: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

• Saturday, July 12: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

• Sunday, July 13: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

The Box Office and Will Call tent is located at the intersection of Madison Street and Wood St, just outside the main entrance to the festival.

For wristband issues—including incorrect information, shipping address changes, or upgrades—contact FrontGate Tickets directly at order-support@frontgatetickets.com. Include the event name and city in your subject line, your 8-digit Order ID, last 4 digits of your payment card, phone number associated with the order, and a brief description of the issue. 

For all other questions, please email WCSmokeout@lettuce.com.

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

We cannot confirm or access any information for purchases made on third-party sites. We recommend reaching out directly to the website that you purchased from with any questions/issues. 

Unfortunately, we don’t offer refunds of any kind. If you purchased insurance for your order, please reach out to the insurance provider and they can assist you with your refund.

You can resell your wristbands securely through our official TicketMaster Exchange Verified Resale site, found HERE.

You can register your wristband here: Wristband Registration. Please note that you do not need to register your wristband in order to use it. The wristbands come ready to use. You only need to register the band if you would like to link a credit card.

Need help or want to unlink a card? Email support@billfoldpos.com.

Yes. To unlink a payment card from your wristband, please email support@billfoldpos.com.

The last date to ship wristbands was June 30. FrontGate will provide an email with tracking information (including a link) that will have the most up-to-date information on your order.

Yes! We can issue a replacement for you at Will Call, located at the festival entrance (corner of Madison and Wood). Please bring your photo ID and order confirmation number to replace your wristband. A fee may apply.

Yes—upgrades are available while supplies last. To request an upgrade, email order-support@frontgatetickets.com with your Order ID and the wristband level you’d like to upgrade to.

Yes, wristbands are waterproof and designed to stay secure all weekend.

Yes! Someone else can pick up your wristbands as long as they have a photo of your valid ID (like a driver’s license) and your order confirmation email or order number.

No problem! You can pick up a replacement wristband at Will Call for a replacement fee. Be sure to bring the original wristband and your order confirmation number.

Purchasing wristbands online in advance is highly recommended to guarantee entry and potentially secure better pricing. Remaining wristband inventory and festival capacity is very limited, so availability is not guaranteed.

Windy City Smokeout prioritizes the safety and security of all attendees. We collaborate closely with the Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) and the Chicago Police Department, along with private security partners, to achieve this. 

Security measures include comprehensive screening and metal detectors at all festival entrances, and all individuals and belongings will be subject to screening upon entry. Non-compliance may result in denied entry or removal from the event. You can view our full safety policy HERE.

Yes. First aid will be located near the main entrance, on the south side of the street of Madison. Look for signage or ask security for assistance.

Windy City Smokeout is a rain-or-shine event! We recommend checking the weather forecast and dressing appropriately. In the event of severe weather, safety updates will be communicated via the official Smokeout app, social channels and onsite screens.

ALL bags must be 10” x 6” x 2“ or under, with the exception of breast pumps and medical bags.

Allowed:

• Small clutches
• Blankets
• Medical bags
• Diaper bags
• Totes
• Strollers
• Cameras (basic point-and-shoot consumer-grade cameras) without detachable lenses or accessories
• Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers (3.4 ounces or less)

Prohibited:

• Coolers
• Outside food and drink
• Lawn/folding chairs
• Aerosol containers (including sunscreen)
• Professional cameras/audio/recording equipment
• Drones and remote-controlled devices
• Glass containers
• Weapons, fireworks, explosives
• Illegal substances
• Airhorns
• Umbrellas
• Flag poles
• Laser pointers
• Pets (except service animals)
• Skateboards, scooters, bikes, motorized vehicles
• Tents or shade structures
• Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors or solicitation materials
• Wallet/bike chains over 12” long
• Costumes or masks (excluding medical/safety)
• Clothing or signage with offensive or vulgar language or blocks attendees’ view
• Any other items deemed dangerous or inappropriate

Yes — medical bags, like diaper bags, are permitted. Guests with food allergies are also permitted to bring in outside food as long as it fits within the allotted bag size (10” x 6” x 2“ or under).

All bags are subject to security screening upon entry. 

Yes. A nursing area will be located in the First Aid tent located near the main entrance, on the south side of the street of Madison. Look for signage or ask security for assistance.

Yes! Strollers are welcome. Please be mindful of crowd flow and avoid blocking walkways or exits.

No — but you can pack poncho!

ALL bags must be 10” x 6” x 2“ or under, with the exception of breast pumps and medical bags.

Allowed:

• Plastic water bottles
• Small clutches
• Blankets
• Medical bags
• Diaper bags
• Totes
• Strollers
• Cameras (basic point-and-shoot consumer-grade cameras) without detachable lenses or accessories
• Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers (3.4 ounces or less)

Prohibited:

• Metal or glass water bottles and camelbacks
• Coolers
• Outside food and drink
• Lawn/folding chairs
• Aerosol containers (including sunscreen)
• Professional cameras/audio/recording equipment
• Drones and remote-controlled devices
• Glass containers
• Weapons, fireworks, explosives
• Illegal substances
• Airhorns
• Umbrellas
• Flag poles
• Laser pointers
• Pets (except service animals)
• Skateboards, scooters, bikes, motorized vehicles
• Tents or shade structures
• Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors or solicitation materials
• Wallet/bike chains over 12” long
• Costumes or masks (excluding medical/safety)
• Clothing or signage with offensive or vulgar language or blocks attendees’ view
• Any other items deemed dangerous or inappropriate

Yes! Strollers are welcome. Please be mindful of crowd flow and avoid blocking walkways or exits.

Yes — medical bags, like diaper bags, are permitted. All bags are subject to security screening upon entry.

No — but you can pack poncho!

Cameras (basic point-and-shoot consumer-grade cameras) without detachable lenses or accessories are allowed. Professional cameras/audio/recording equipment are prohibited without proper media / photography credentials

Windy City Smokeout is proud to be a fully ADA-accessible event. We’ve partnered with the United Center to ensure that festival grounds, restrooms, entrances, and key areas—including food vendors and viewing zones—are accessible to all guests.

If you have any specific questions or concerns, please visit Guest Services (located directly after the main festival entrance) or contact us in advance at wcsmokeout@lettuce.com. 

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 festival wristband. Service animals are permitted. If you have questions regarding specific accommodations, please contact us at wcsmokeout@lettuce.com.

Please check in at the guest services tent located near the main entrance. ADA guests may bring one designated companion guest into the ADA section. Please be prepared to show valid medical documentation. 

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

Yes! While we’re best known for BBQ, many of our vendors offer delicious options to accommodate dietary needs. Full menus are available in the app. We’d recommend double-checking with individual vendors about specific menu items. 

Guests with food allergies are also permitted to bring in outside food as long as it fits within the allotted bag size (10” x 6” x 2“ or under). Please just let security know that you have an allergy and show them this email or medical documentation if verification is needed

Outside food and drinks are not permitted, with the exception of medically necessary items. Guests with food allergies are permitted to bring in outside food as long as it fits within the allotted bag size (10” x 6” x 2“ or under). Please just let security know that you have an allergy and show them medical documentation if verification is needed

To limit the number of touch points between team members and fans, all food, beverage, and retail/merchandise transactions are cashless. Major credit cards as well as mobile pay are accepted throughout the event.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. For all food and drink refund inquiries, please reach out directly to receipts@bestringpos.com, and their team will be happy to assist you.

In addition to alcoholic beverages, we offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and soft drinks throughout the festival grounds.

Wintrust Debit Cardholders will receive express entry through VIP lanes at the main festival entrance (located at the corner of Madison St. & Wood St.). Just show your debit card (physical or digital) to verify.

Score yours today!

Looking for a place to stay during Windy City Smokeout? Get exclusive access to discounted room rates when you book with our preferred hotel partners, Aloft Chicago Downtown/River North and Springhill Suites Chicago Downtown/River North—just minutes from the festival grounds.

Book Your Stay at Aloft 

Book Your Stay at Springhill Suites