Your guide to having the best experience at North Coast Music Festival

North Coast Music Festival is going down rain or shine this Labor Day weekend in Chicago’s Union Park.

We’ve put together this handy primer on how to get there, what to bring and what you can find at the fest to make sure you can get your groove on with as little stress as possible.

App and Map

Keeping with the times, NCMF has a handy, dandy app that you can download so you have all the info you need right in your pocket, including a map to the grounds.

A map will prove vital for navigating to the different stages as well as to food once it’s time to get yo’ grub on. There’s no re-entry, but there will be ATMs on site so you can buy drinks and food, including vegetarian, vegan and non-gluten options.

To Bring

1. Your gear.

Items like binoculars, lawn chairs, blankets and lighters are permitted, so you put a flame in the air while chilling on the grass. You can also bring staff and totem poles (creativity is encouraged).

Lockers will be available for rental in which you can charge your phone as well as stash anything you don’t want to carry around all day.

2. Your kids.

North Coast is open to all ages, and children ages 10 and under receive free admittance, but they must be accompanied by someone over 18 years of age that is able to show proof that they are a parent or legal guardian.

To Leave at Home

Although it’s an end of summer party, glowsticks, food and even stuffed animals are a no-go. You’ll also have to leave Fido and your GoPro at home.

How To Get There

Bike and car parking will be limited, so public transit is your best bet. The Metra can easily get you to and from the suburbs and connect you with one of the following options.

On the El, take the Green or Pink line to Ashland. You can also take the No. 9 Ashland bus to Ashland and Washington or Ashland and Madison, the No. 65 Grand bus to Ashland, or the No. 20 Madison bus to Ashland and Madison.