Guidebook
Accessible Viewing Platform
Visit the Guest Services Information Booth for information on our wristband program. If you have mobility impairments you can request a special wristband at the Guest Services Information Booth. This wristband is to show our team that you (plus one companion) are eligible to enter the ADA Accessible Viewing platform.
The wristband does not guarantee a spot in this area. The ADA Accessible Viewing Platform area has a limited capacity and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The wristband is non-transferable.
Parking
Restrooms
Service Animals
Service animals are permitted and admitted into the Festival of the Lakes. Each service animal must remain with its owner and be restrained. If any service animals interfere with other guests, corrective action may include rearranging seating or removal of the service animal from the Festival of the Lakes.
A summary of Indiana Service Animal Laws can be viewed here.
Wednesday, July 17th
Park/Carnival Opens: 5:00pm
VIP Gate Opens: 6:00pm
Opening Acts: 6:30pm*
Headlining Act: 9:00pm*
Close: 11:00pm
Thursday, July 18th
Park/Carnival Opens: 5:00pm
VIP Gate Opens: 6:00pm
Opening Acts: 6:30pm*
Headlining Act: 9:00pm*
Close: 11:00pm
Friday, July 19th Fireworks Night
Park/Carnival Opens: 5:00pm
VIP Gate Opens: 6:00pm
Opening Acts: 6:30pm*
Headlining Act: 9:00pm*
Close: 11:00pm
Saturday, July 20th Fireworks Night
Park/Carnival Opens: Noon
VIP Gate Opens: 6:00pm
Opening Acts: 6:30pm*
Headlining Act: 9:00pm*
Close: 11:00pm
Sunday, July 21st
Park/Carnival Opens: Noon
VIP Gate Opens: 6:00pm
Opening Acts: 6:30pm*
Headlining Act: 9:00pm*
Close: 11:00pm
*All main stage entertainment times subject to change.
- All ages are welcome.
- There is no fee for general admission to the Festival.
- Festival happens rain or shine.
- All persons entering are subject to a security search.
- No refunds or exchanges on any purchased items.
- Lineup subject to change.
- VIP Experience passes are available for purchase online at the discounted price of $75 until May 31st.
- On June 1st the price increases to $85 per pass.
- On July 1st the price increases to $100 per pass.
- VIP Passes can be purchased online, or onsite at the festival ticket booth (when the festival begins).
- General admission to the festival grounds includes: free music concert, carnival, beer garden and food court.
- Access to the general admission viewing section of the Pavilion at Wolf Lake Memorial Park for viewing of music concert. Lawn chairs and blankets permitted in this area, so get there early to pick your perfect spot.
- Portable restrooms are available and conveniently located near the Main Bar, Carnival entrance and Food Court.
For your safety and the safety of all our guests, all items brought into the festival (including, without limitation, bags, backpacks, purses and diaper bags) are subject to search upon entry or re-entry into the festival. A metal-detection wand may be used to scan guests. Guests who choose not to subject themselves to wanding or their personal belongings to a security search will not be permitted to enter the festival.
Be advised that added security measures may slow down an entry line, so please plan accordingly.
At the Festival of the Lakes, our guests’ safety is our primary concern.
Because the Pavilion at Wolf Lake Memorial Park consists of a 2,600 square foot permanently constructed main stage and 86,000 square feet of concrete and grass for seating, the concert typically can continue through stormy weather.
It is important to note that, in the past, music concerts have not been cancelled in advance due to forecasted weather conditions, so you should always plan to arrive on time. Please note that although it may be storming elsewhere in the city, the festival may be experiencing different weather conditions. But if the forecast is simply for a steady rain shower without dangerous conditions like close-in lightning or extreme winds, the concert will most likely proceed as scheduled.
If dangerous weather conditions exist in close proximity to the Pavilion at Wolf Lake Memorial Park, we may choose to delay the start of a concert for an hour or more past the scheduled start time before deciding to cancel or continue, especially if it looks like the storm will pass and we will be able to complete the concert. We may also stop a concert in progress to allow guests to take temporary shelter if threatening weather conditions exist. If a weather-related delay is needed prior to or during a concert, we will immediately communicate decisions to our guests via the festival’s public address system, event staff, Facebook page, Twitter and on our website.
Our general policy, however, is that all festival events are held rain or shine, so we encourage all guests to dress for the forecasted weather. On nights when rain is forecasted, we encourage guests to bring ponchos to the festival. Ponchos are also available for purchase at the Guest Information booth for $5.00 each. No refunds will be given for inclement weather.
Prohibited Items
- Alcoholic beverages
- Illegal drugs or controlled substances
- Weapons, knives or sharp objects
- Fireworks, explosives or road flares
- Laser pointers/pens
- Detachable lens cameras
- Drones, remote control aircraft, cars, toys or any unmanned aerial vehicles
- Bicycles, scooters, or inline skates (bike racks are located outside of the festival near the gate house)
- Hover boards or segways
- Anything that needs to be staked into the ground.
- Car seats or outside booster seats
- Animals (except service animals)
- Coolers
- Food and beverages (except one sealed or empty bottle of water per person)
- Camcorders
- Signs
- Bullhorns or any kind of personal amplification device
- Aerosol products/aerosol cans
- Glass or metal water containers
- Pepper spray or mace
- Metal, steel or aluminum water bottles
- Umbrellas (Bring your own poncho or ponchos are available for purchase at the Guest Information booth for $5.00 each)
- No chairs in the VIP area
Enjoy a free #regionride shuttle bus from the Hammond South Shore Station to Wolf Lake Memorial Park and back.
Avoid the hassles of navigating road construction detours. Board a South Shore train at any of the convenient stations in northwest Indiana and Chicago and travel in comfort to Hammond. The free shuttle will take you to the Festival of the Lakes and also back to the Hammond South Shore Station.
Please board the shuttle in the parking lot adjacent to the train platform.
Shuttle runs all day on Saturday, July 20th and Sunday, July 21st until the last train leaves the Hammond South Shore Station.
View train schedules here.