Chicago’s ARC Music Festival returns to Union Park for its fifth year, and the hype is building for what’s to come. Stay in the know with the essential information!
The team at Auris Presents lands once again in the birthplace of house music! Chicago welcomes house and techno fans “back home” to celebrate five years of ARC Music Festival. Though the “real ones” get an early start—hitting the clubs on Thursday night to kick off the renowned ARC After Dark series—ravers from around the world will gather in Union Park for another Labor Day Weekend.
To mark the five-year milestone, attendees will be treated to ARC Music Festival’s most sonically diverse lineup featuring more than 90 artists and 22 B2B sets scheduled for the three-day lineup. Sub Focus makes his debut at The Grid for the festival’s first drum ‘n bass set. Skream will team up with Hamdi for a special UKG B2B set. HiTech will undoubtedly send it all as the ghettotech phenoms bring their wild, raunchy energy to the Area 909 stage for a mid-day set on Sunday!
As fans explore four stages—each with its own mind-altering aesthetic and top-tier sound—they’ll also catch some of the biggest names in dance music! Hometown hero John Summit will close out the festival for the second time with Hot Since 82 and Fisher leading ravers to the exits on Friday and Saturday, respectively. If something harder is what you’re after, Nicole Moudaber, Green Velvet, Richie Hawtin, and Eli Brown are ready to unleash the best of peak-time techno!
There’s a lot to remember, so we’ve put together a guide for the event. Continue reading for details on set times, prohibited and permitted items, and more!
ARC Music Festival 2025 – Essential Info:
Dates: August 29 – 31, 2025
Hours: 2pm – 10pm, daily
Venue Address: Union Park – 1501 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60606
Tickets: ARC 2025 is 90% SOLD OUT, but additional ticket options for Friday and Saturday are available – Purchase HERE!
ARC Music Festival 2025 – Set Times:
ARC Music Festival 2025 – Festival Map:
ARC Music Festival 2025 – ARC After Dark Parties:
Reminder To Mind Your Belongings:
Unfortunately, during this festival season, many have reported pickpockets, bag slashings, and theft of wallets, smartphones, purses, and other valuables. While this small number of bad apples in the bunch doesn’t define an entire crowd, some opportunistic people come to these events to take advantage of unsuspecting partygoers, and it’s essential to be mindful of your valuables while at ARC Music Festival.
Looking for tips to keep your belongings safe? Check our post highlighting some ideas!
ARC Music Festival 2025 – Do’s & Don’ts:
Prohibited Items
- No backpacks or large bags (larger than 16″ by 16″ x 8″)
- Totems
- Hula hoops
- LED gloves, flowtoys, etc
- Native American Headdresses
- Musical Instruments
- Flag poles
- Weapons of any kind
- Drugs/drug paraphernalia
- Outside food & drink
- – Outside food is allowed for those who have a documented need. Must have a doctor’s note that matches ID
- Fireworks
- Airhorns or megaphones
- Laser pointers
- Glass bottles or metal containers of any kind
- Selfie sticks
- Professional photo/video cameras
- Audio recording devices
- Drones
- Umbrellas (parasols ok)
- Chains/chain wallets
- Stickers/flyers / promotional materials
- Sharpies / Markers / Spray Cans
- Pets (service animals ok)
- Cleated shoes
- Soccer balls, footballs, frisbees, or other sports equipment
- Tarps or tents
- Chairs of any kind
- Coolers of any kind, including hard-sided and soft-sided coolers
- Kites or Sky Lanterns
- Bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters
Permitted Items
- Prescribed medication
- In a container with a matching ID to be checked at entry, and only containing the number of doses needed for the duration of the event, as prescribed on the pill container
- Cell phones
- Non-professional cameras
- Blankets/towels
- Non-aerosol sunscreen
- Sealed gum
- Sealed chapstick
- Sealed lipstick
- Sealed eyedrops
- Sealed makeup
- Empty water bottles (No glass or metal)
- Disposable lighters
- Cell phone chargers/portable phone chargers
- Factory-sealed E-cigs (i.e., Blu, Juul, etc.)
- Refillable E-cigs and vape pens must be empty, and juice refills are not allowed.
- Prescription and OTC medications (subject to specific conditions*)
