Lollapalooza 2026: Best Photos From the Festival

The Story

Thirty-five years after Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Ferrell launched Lollapalooza as a touring festival, the annual music event kicked off its 2026 edition on Thursday, July 30, at Chicago’s Grant Park.

The this year’s event spanned genres from pop to rock to K-pop to hip-hop, dance and beyond, with day one featuring performances by 5 Seconds of Summer, Boys Noize, sombr, Wet Leg, latest Billboard cover star Bella Kay and more. Headliners for the evening were Lorde and John Summit.

Lorde’s set made headlines when the New Zealander brought out surprise guest Charli xcx – who headlines Friday, July 31 – for a duet of the British singer-songwriter’s “Girl, So Confusing.” She also paused her set briefly when several fans near the front of the stage passed out due to the temps in the Windy City being in the mid 80s by the time her performance was scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m.

There were also other surprises for festival-goers Thursday night, as sombr brought out fellow performers 5 Seconds of Summer during his set to deliver the group’s track “She Looks So Beautiful.” Meanwhile, during 5SoS’ own set, the guys covered Katy Perry’s classic “Teenage Dream.” Also of note that night was SB19, with the Filipino boy band – who has so far won three previous editions of Billboard’s annual Fan Army Face-Off — making history as the first P-pop to play Lolla.

The unexpected kept coming as the festival rolled on. Olivia Rodrigo joined Friday headliner The Smashing Pumpkins for its 1995 hit “33,” while Yungblud made an appearance for “Luna”; Saturday saw Olivia Dean celebrate “Rein Me In” becoming the longest-running No. 1 hit in the U.K. by bringing out Sam Fender to perform the song; CORTIS delivered the live debut of “Motion” with special guest Juicy J; and Tate McRae closed out the festival Sunday by dipping herself in gold.

Keep scrolling to see some of the best photos from Lollapalooza 2026.

Rhian Teasdale of Wet Leg at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 30, 2026, in Chicago.

SB19 at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 30, 2026, in Chicago.

John Summit at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on JJuly 30, 2026, in Chicago.

Lorde at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 30, 2026, in Chicago.

Sombr and 5 Seconds of Summer’s Luke Hemmings at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 30, 2026, in Chicago.

SB19 at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 30, 2026, in Chicago.

John Summit at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 30, 2026, in Chicago.

Lorde at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 30, 2026, in Chicago.

The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan and Olivia Rodrigo perform at Lollapalooza 2026 on July 31, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

sombr at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 30, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Zara Larsson performs at Lollapalooza 2026 on July 31, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Slayyyter performs at Lollapalooza 2026 on July 31, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 01, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

JENNIE performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 1, 2026 in Chicago.

Cameron Winter of Geese performs during 2026 Lollapalooza Festival at Grant Park on August 1, 2026 in Chicago.

Malice and Pusha T of Clipse at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on August 01, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Sienna Spiro at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on August 01, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Katie Gavin of Muna at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on August 02, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Beabadoobee at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on August 02, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

YUNGBLUD at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 31, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

The XX at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on August 02, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Suki Waterhouse at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 31, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Mustard at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 31, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

America Foster of Major Lazer at Lollapalooza 2026 held at Grant Park on July 31, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Original report

Billboard

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