faq / event details

ABOUT HYDE PARK SUMMER FEST

Since its debut over seven years ago, Hyde Park Summer Fest (HPSF) has blazed a unique path in the Chicagoland Festival scene. Originally named Hyde Park Brew Fest, the celebration started off on the iconic 53rd & Harper Ct. bringing some of the best hip-hop and house DJs back to the place where the genre began while championing Chicago cuisine, local breweries, and supporting local businesses. While remaining fiercely independent, Hyde Park Summer Fest connects diverse groups of people in one space to unplug, ground themselves, and create new experiences in a natural environment in one of Chicago’s most iconic neighborhoods. As a multi-generational experience, we will bring life and unique opportunities of engagements to those who appreciate music, culture, and entertainment through our expanded campus and enhanced programming stamping its place in Chicago history.

FESTIVAL DATES

The 2023 Hyde Park Summer Fest will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 17th & 18th.

VENUE

A friendly reminder that we are no longer on 53rd St. and Harper Ct. Hyde Park Summer Fest takes place at Midway Plaisance Park near the University of Chicago campus and is completely outdoors. Entry gates are located on the Midway between Ellis and Woodlawn. The best approach is from the Ellis side.

Ultimate VIP, and VIP ticket holders will enjoy tented areas that provide limited shade along with premium viewing. Be sure to plan accordingly.

FESTIVAL HOURS

The entry gates open at 12 Noon on both days and close at 9PM on Saturday and Sunday. The festival will end at 10PM. We strongly encourage you to get there early both days!

WEATHER POLICY

The festival happens rain or shine. There are some shaded areas in the park. No Umbrellas will be allowed so pack a poncho!

KIDS

All attendees over the age of 12 require a ticket for admission. Children 11 years old and younger will be admitted free of charge with a General Admission ticket-holding adult. Limit 1 child per ticketed adult. Children will not be allowed in the GA+, VIP, or Ultimate VIP areas.

ALCOHOL AND COOLERS

NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL AND COOLERS WILL BE ALLOWED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE

BOX OFFICE

Will Call location and hours will be available the week of the festival at hydeparksummerfest.com. Please contact boxoffice@hydeparksummerfest.com for more information.

TICKET QUESTIONS/ISSUES

All entry will be via RFID bracelets. When you purchase your ticket, you will receive a confirmation mail with an RFID bracelet to follow. Your RFID bracelet will grant you entry to the days you’ve purchased. RFID bracelets will be mailed starting 4 weeks prior to the event

If you purchase your ticket more than 3 weeks before the event, your RFID wristband will be mailed to the address you included in your purchase. If you purchase your ticket in the 3 weeks leading to the event, you will pick up your wristband at a Will Call location. These purchases will be subject to a box office fee assessed at checkout.

If you have any questions about tickets that have already been purchased, please contact boxoffice@hydeparksummerfest.com.

NO CASH POLICY

Hyde Park Summer Fest will be cashless. All food, beverage, or merchandise purchases must be made via credit card or debit card. For ease of use, patrons can link their credit card to their RFID bracelet. A self created 4 digit pin will protect against any fraudulent wristband use.

PRESS / MEDIA

For Press/Media inquiries, please submit request HERE for consideration. Any additional questions please contact hydeparkfestpr@mekkymedia.com.

COMMUNITY

Litter: The Festival has hired an experienced festival maintenance company to keep festival grounds and a 2 block perimeter clean. During the Festival, if you see a trash or litter problem from the Festival, please call 773-587-5705: A Festival Maintenance Associate (FMA) will be dispatched to address the problem.

Noise: All speakers will be positioned to minimize their impact on surrounding neighbors. Liquor sales will end at 9:00pm and music will stop before 10pm.

Parking: There will be limited neighborhood parking in the surrounding area. We strongly encourage festival attendees to Ride Share or take the CTA, or METRA.

REFUND POLICY

All tickets are non-refundable. Again, the festival happens rain or shine. Your Hyde Park Summer Fest ticket is for entry to the festival and not for a specific artist that is scheduled to perform. Artists and performance schedule subject to change without notice. Artist cancellation does NOT constitute for a refund.

RE-ENTRY POLICY

There will be NO re-entry during the festival. Come ready to kick it until the sun goes down. Pace yourself. We’ve got 10 hours of unlimited entertainment that covers nearly a mile long for 2 whole days. There will be designated rest areas to relax. Eat your Wheaties. You’re gonna need all of your energy for the full day.

BAG POLICY

The Hyde Park Summer Fest Bag and Item policy has been developed in accordance with standards for large events. It was developed by fest administration in close collaboration with festival security experts, the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District.

NOTE: ALL attendees will walk through certified metal detectors and bags will be searched at all entrances. Attendees may be subjected to additional screenings such as magnetometer wanding and/or physical pat down.

This year we have more than tripled the amount of metal detectors for speed and thorough screening.

BAGS PERMITTED

  • Any bag made of Clear Plastic, Clear Vinyl or Clear PVC smaller than 12” x 6” x 12”
  • Drawstring bag (limit 1 pocket)
  • Clear Bag
  • Small Purse / Small Clutch Bags
  • Waist Pack or Fanny Pack
  • Empty Hydration Pack (limit 2 pockets)
  • *ALL permitted bags must be NO LARGER than 12” x 6” x 12”

BAGS PROHIBITED

  • ANY bag larger than 12” x 6” x 12”
  • Fabric Bags (beach bag, back pack or any multi-pocket bag)
  • Framed Backpack

ALLOWED/NOT ALLOWED ITEMS

ALLOWED

  • Vaccination Card (printed and digital)
  • Cell Phones
  • Valid Driver’s License/Identification
  • Credit, Debit & ATM cards
  • Personal size hand sanitizer
  • Bags meeting Bag Policy Description
  • Sunscreen Lotion (No Aerosol cans)
  • Point & Shoot Cameras (No interchangeable lenses)
  • Binoculars
  • Beach Towel (1 per person)
  • Hats
  • Rain Jacket / Ponchos
  • Paper fans and mini personal fans/misters
  • Sunglasses
  • Earplugs
  • Personal Cameras
  • Prescription Medication
  • Baby strollers, plastic baby bottles and milk/formula
  • Beach Towels (NOTHING LARGER)
  • Empty PLASTIC water bottles (NO METAL WATER BOTTLES/CONTAINERS) and water pouches

NOT ALLOWED

  • Illegal Weapons of Any Kind / Illegal Substances / Fireworks or Combustibles
  • No outside alcohol beverages of any kind
  • Barbeque Grills
  • Tents, Canopies or Umbrellas
  • Aerosol Containers, including sunscreen and personal beauty products
  • Metal Water Bottles
  • Professional Audio or Professional Video Recording Equipment including Go Pros
  • Outside Food or Beverages, Coolers or Picnic Baskets
  • Bags prohibited by Bag Policy Description
  • Mace or Pepper Spray
  • Pets/Animals (except service animals)
  • Selfie Sticks, Go Pros Sticks or Tripods OR Professional Camera Equipment (without Photo Pass)
  • Glass or metal containers
  • Skateboards, Scooters, Bikes or Personal Motor Vehicles
  • Drones or Aircrafts
  • iPads or Tablets
  • Hammocks or Slacklines
  • Carts or Wagons of Any Kind
  • Blankets or anything larger than a beach towel
  • Large Chains or Spiked Jewelry
  • Laser pointers
  • Unauthorized distribution of solicitation materials (handbills, flyers, samples) of any kind
  • No illegal vending is permitted. No unauthorized/unlicensed vendors allowed

CHAIR POLICY

Only foldable chairs in bags are permitted. Those bringing permitted chairs must enter designated entry lanes for additional security screening. All chairs will be separated from the bag for examination. If you chose to bring a permitted chair, expect longer entry lines and time.

Once inside the festival, permitted chairs will only be allowed in select designated areas. Chairs will not be permitted in front of the Main Stage.

BECOME A VENDOR

Hyde Park Summer Fest accepts high quality food and dry good vendors to attract our 40,000+ attendees. For more information, please CLICK HERE. No illegal vending is permitted. No unauthorized/unlicensed vendors allowed.