Yes, there are street festivals and music festivals and concerts abound in the city of Chicago…but none of them have quite the grandeur and appeal of Lollapalooza . For one weekend in August, Grant Park becomes a music mecca no matter your taste or style. This year, for the 25th Anniversary of Lolla, more than 170 musical acts will play over the course of 96 summery hours to a crowd of hundreds of thousands. So before you break out your sunglasses and synchronize your watches, we have the guide to get your through your most successful Lolla weekend…

The Music

We know the headliners might not be the “trendy” acts to see, but you’ll be sad if you miss them. The must-see acts are: Red Hot Chili Peppers: Following up their Super Bowl 2014 performance with Bruno Mars, these guys have spent the better part of the last year supporting Bernie Sanders’ presidential run so be on the lookout for political shout outs during their set. But politics aside, don’t miss their classic hits. Lana del Rey: When she hits the Chicago stage, the crowd will go wild for her perfect warm weather jam, “Summertime Sadness.” Ellie Goulding: She has come a long way from her first Lolla appearance, and this Brit with a big voice is sure to impress this year. In addition to her hits like “Starry Eyed” and “Love Me Like You Do,” she’s done haunting covers in past years including Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” Future: Rappers love the Lolla crowd, and Future is no different. Taking the stage that has previously hosted Kanye West and Chance the Rapper, Future (or ex-Mr. Ciara) will thrill the crowd with beats like “Wicked” off his 2016 album. Disclosure: If you haven’t heard hits like “Latch,” “Omen,” and “When a Fire Starts to Burn,”now is your chance. And if you miss them at the festival, they’ll also be hosting an after-party at Spybar on Friday night (see below).

There are also plenty of smaller, more local acts that are a must: Sir the Baptist: A Chicago-bred, preacher’s son who spent time at Leo Burnett is hardly someone you’d expect to find on a Lolla stage. And yet, Sir (born William) will be bringing his unique blend of Church music and rap to the fest this year. Don’t miss it! Vic Mensa: If Jay Z and Roc Nation put their name behind someone, you can bet they’ll be the next big thing. Combine that with regular collaborations with Chance the Rapper, and you have the power of Vic Mensa. Kiiara: Pop and alternative with just a hint of trap-style, this music covers a blanket of genres, plus her song “Gold” is currently featured on at Apple commercial you probably already have stuck in your head. Kidzapalooza: This one isn’t just for the kids! There are street performers and other fun acts to check out, plus sometimes a high level star show up for a guest appearance! Metallica played last year to give the kiddos a taste of that rockstar life.

The Celebration

Lolla turns 25 this year so for its quarter century celebration, they have added a fourth day to the festival. This means you’ll need to put in your vacation requests ASAP to take off both Thursday and Friday for the full experience.

The Food

Your first, and frequent, stop for the weekend should be Chow Town: the food hub of Lollapalooza. It’s like the Taste of Chicago, but the whole crowd will be fellow music lovers. Hit up Publican Quality Meats or Leghorn Chicken for your main meal, but never miss the epic Original Rainbow Cone . It’s a Chicago tradition, and makes for a great festival photo with friends. If you want to dine in the area before (or after) hitting the shows, be sure to keep an eye out for food trucks. The Cheesie’s Truck should make an appearance and that beautiful, melted grilled cheese is the perfect late night snack. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants nearby, including The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, Virgin Hotels Chicago, Good Stuff Eatery, and Mercat a la Planxa.

The After Parties

Just because the last act of the day ends, that doesn’t mean the music stops! Check out these rockin’ after parties to keep Lolla going into the wee hours of the morning: Halsey at the Aragon Ballroom: This pop star puts on a seriously passionate performance of hits like “Colors” and “Is There Somewhere”. Phantogram at House of Blues: The House of Blues is the most Chicago of locations to see music. This is the perfect place to continue your Windy City weekend. Disclosure at Spybar: This is the spot to be if you want the Lolla music without the price tag. The English electronic duo will DJ the official Lollapalooza after-party on Friday, July 29th.

Has Lolla got you craving more of Chicago's amazing festival? Check out this summer's definitive list of them.