In its fourth year, the Latine-centered music fest promises a second stage, a smooth entry, and a LATAM-spanning food menu
For someone who frequently covers festivals , there is something immensely refreshing about see one that actually centers Latine culture , residential district , and medicine . Chicago’sSueños , which translates to “ Dreams ” in English , was launch in 2022 by co - founders Aaron Ampudia and Chris Den Uijl ( also behind theBaja Beach Festin Rosarito , MX ) , who understood not only the global want for Latine representation in music spaces , but also a local one — nearly 30 percent of the Windy City ’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latine , which makes it the second large pagan / racial group in the metropolis . Last year ’s Sueños drew almost 70,000 attender to Grant Park — the festival ’s magnanimous bunch yet — and the 2025 upshot stand up to attract even more concert - goers with the addition of a 2d phase , new efficiencies for a smoother entranceway experience , and , yes , more food .
From the genre - crossing creative person roster , to the 33 flag soaring eminent above the grounds representing the body politic of Latin America , to the additional local solid food vendors and bands bring together this class — everything feel intentional at Sueńos , a.k.a . El Festival Latino . As the influence of Latin music increasingly stretch across the Earth , a Latine - focused fete at this story is of the essence and overdue .
Below , we ’ve got your guide to the ultimate Sueños weekend — where to stay , how to get there , what to bring , and more — to ensure you make the most of this twelvemonth ’s languid card .
Where and when is Sueños this year?
Sueños will take over Grant Park for Memorial Day weekend , 12 - 10 p.m. , May 25 and 26 . A adorable 319 acres in the meat of business district Chicago , the green blank space bumps up against Lake Michigan on the east and eminent rises pretty much everywhere else . The park is also the urban center ’s go - to for big community case from Lollapalooza to Taste of Chicago . Entering festival grounds for the first time can feel a bit overwhelming , but Grant Park in May is a calming presence — covered in verdure with flowers in full - prime — and consequence signage is plentiful .
How do I secure tickets to attend Sueños?
ticket are uncommitted via theofficial Sueños websiteand there are several options reckon on how much you are uncoerced to dish up out . Pricing is also tiered , meaning cost go up as the cheaper tiers betray out . At publication meter , General Admission was $ 360 for two days , GA+ cost $ 520 , and VIP run $ 752 — with most perquisite revolving around saloon and bathroom access , festival entry itinerary , and phase - viewing positioning . The premium “ El Sueño ” ( $ 2,040 ) and “ El Oro ” ( $ 10,000 for two ) tiers level up to include matter like individual lounges , golf cart transportation , and wing access . There are also one - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. pass usable bulge at $ 229 and layaway options as well . This class , Sueños is opening up their box office a day ahead of the festival on Friday , for a more unseamed experience . Say you need to pick up tickets at will call or have in - soul questions , you could now do this the twenty-four hour period before the festival starts to avoid long billet and daytime - of topsy-turvydom .
Is the 2025 Sueños lineup any good?
Without a doubt . Colombian icon Shakira is headlining on Saturday , take a shift from her current world tour for a two - time of day set that we can only imagine ( and Leslie Townes Hope ) will incorporate some of her classic hits alongside cuts from her Edgar Guest - packed 2024 album , Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran . After his 2024 Sueños set was offset due to severe weather , corridos tumbados star Peso Pluma is back to co - newspaper headline on Saturday — personal organizer introduced a second stage this twelvemonth to make space for more endowment and keep sets run on time . On Sunday , reggaeton icon Don Omar accept to the main stage , while the other headlining one-armed bandit goes to regional Mexican band Grupo Frontera ( who have a song with Shakira ) . This year ’s fest is the most musical genre - diverse yet , including everything from Latin pop to Dominican dembow . starter like Tito Doble P , Omar Courtz , and El Malilla are taking center stagecoach alongside veterans like Wisin , Arcángel , and El Alfa , serving up a range of old- and new - schooltime medicine that speaks across generation .
How do I get to Sueños?
If you ’re flying in , mark that the festival grounds are nearly 16 miles from O’Hare and 8.7 statute mile from Midway . Also , traffic will be in full effect due to the festival and holiday weekend activities , so give yourself some fourth dimension to get where you ’re headed . Once you ’re take root in , utilizing public fare is an prosperous and price - in effect fashion to get around the business district region , with multiple train lines including the CTA and Metra . If you ’re launch the ridesharing road , debate that it ’s much easier to gettothe festival than it is to leave , so be prepared to roleplay the waiting game or pick an alternate mode of exile — like feet . If you ’re staying downtown and have the free energy / survival to manage it , you ’re likely to be a moderate walking distance to your hotel .
Where to stay during Sueños
remain downtown is ideal when attend Sueños — walkable housing is available and , in fact , essential if you get stuck waiting for an Uber in the post - show rush or , say , a massive storm hits . Take it from a ex-serviceman attendee . Given the disconnected , fest - scratch inclement weather last year , I waited and watched rideshares cancel on me one after the next until I made the executive decision to walk to my hotel . Even with the rain pouring down , it was deserving every dance step .
For a sumptuousness stay only a six - arcminute trek from Grant Park considerThe Blackstone . This hotel not only contains an elegant architectural Department of the Interior , but alsoa robust historydating back to the 1800s that include such noted guests as Teddy Roosevelt , Marilyn Monroe , and Al Capone . A smooth 7 - mo walk ( or 4 - minute car ride ) by isPendry Chicago , where I abide last twelvemonth and hope to return to this year . The rooms are bright and innovative , the ginmill is dingy and classical , and the service of process excels . For city views and a lively rooftop turn over nearbyLondon House .
Where to eat at Sueños
To those who ’ve attended , Sueños is n’t just a music festival — it ’s also a space to celebrate our multifaceted culture , admit the breadth of Latin American cuisine . The on - situation nutrient village bubble over with a plethora of local trafficker — there were more than 50 vendors to pick out from last year . While the 2025 lineup is n’t yet finalized , some returning name have been confirmed , including the vegan - friendlyEl Campeón , quesabirria slingersTacotlán , Puerto Rican outpostPonce Restaurant , Mexican staples purveyorEl Taconazo , andPrime Tacos , who are famous for coat their various offerings in a thick bed of neon reddish Hot Cheetos debris .
This yr , Sueños will be infix the community - disposed La Plaza , the big food village of them all , arrant with its own modest phase that will have operation from some of Chicago ’s good local ring and DJs like LeManz , Los K - Bros , DJ JTC , and DJ Orozco .
What to bring to Sueños
I was caught off sentry go by the weather at last year ’s Sueños . Now I eff to prepare for dead anything at a “ rain or smooth ” festival , including for the fete to be delete due to rainwater . When we were told to empty before of an incoming thunderstorm , not only did I not have an umbrella or poncho on me , but also my footwear was n’t waterproofed enough for the downpour that follow . So , hive up an umbrella or fold - up poncho on your someone , or note the nearest vendor sell such goods .
with child bags are not allowed , but clutch - stylus purses and fanny packs are ok andlockersare available for $ 25 a daylight or $ 48.50 for the weekend . Hoping to have a precious picnic with friend ? Blankets , sheets , and towels are allowed — as are opera glasses and point and shoot cameraswithoutdetachable lens .
While Sueños is cashless , I commend keeping some money on you in case you find yourself needing piss , snacks , or rain gear while walk to and from the parking lot . Then again , summertime is less than a month away , so sunscreen and sunglass are essential — even last class , the sun was beaming when the clouds were n’t in the way . You ’re also reserve to convey your own H2O bottle to fill , for barren , at the on - web site hydration station .
Photo courtesy @frankievergara
What else is happening at Sueños?
Aside from the overplus of performances to take in and the vast amount of intellectual nourishment to savor , Sueños offers a identification number of different activities for festivalgoers . There will be opportunities to win creative person get together - and - greet access for those who tight watch Sueños ’ societal medium channels , while everyone will have admission to the young - to-2025 El Mercadito — a farmer ’s market - way arena for local Latine artists and makers to sell their merchandise on the festival solid ground . “ Each time we examine to up the experience at Sueños and there are lots of unexampled thing happening this year apart from the added stages , ” say festival co - beginner Ampudia . “ The destination is to work up and keep Latin refinement in the most authentic fashion , so we devote a lot of time to the overall experience . ”
Merch booths abound across the Mungo Park , but those await to save money or the Earth ( or both ) can participate in the Rock & Recycle program by fill up a festival - provided rubbish bag with bottles and cans and exchanging it for an undivided Sueños 2025 T - shirt .
Last yr , the Verizon Deck , which returns to the General Admission section in 2025 , impart Verizon customers access code to better main - stage sentiment , free phone charging , and customizable telephone set pillowcase ( non - customer were capable to enroll in a free 30 - day trial to participate ) . Also in 2024 , booze marque like Buchanan ’s , Cîroc , and Don Julio host VIP section activation complete with custom cocktail menu and plenty of celeb sightings .
Photo courtesy @frankievergara
In Georgia , “ Casa Bacardi ” served rum drinks and host a silent disco , while Cantu Beauty offered attendees the chance to get their hair done up with charm braids or fashionable outer space buns . Sueńos reward adventurers who explore with an open mind .
Courtesy @jose and @diegoguillen
Photo courtesy @el_matzu
