Chicago, Illinois·Large lakefront convention complex

McCormick Place

McCormick Place is a convention complex in Chicago with assembly seating for 18,000 people and the 4,188 seat Arie Crown Theater. Three on-campus lots hold 5,800 spaces in all, and which lot you use depends on the building your event is in. Most food is cashless, with food courts and cafés on site.

Before you go

Three parking lots, 5,800 spaces

Lot A or C, depending on the building

Elevators near main entrances

Free assisted listening devices

Cashless food courts and cafés

Assembly seating for 18,000

Capacity: Assembly seating 18,000; Arie Crown Theater 4,188; 5,800 parking spaces
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor convention complex
Official site: mccormickplace.com
Next festival here: C2E2, Apr 30 to May 2, 2027

Worth knowing before you go

Lot A and Lot C have no in-and-out privileges unless you buy parking online in advance.
Lot B is the cheapest at a flat $18 per day.
Prepaid parking at $40 per day is guaranteed even if the lots fill.
Food and drink on site are cashless, so bring a card.
Some meeting rooms, E268, E269 and E272A to E272D, are not wheelchair accessible.

Festivals here

Venue basics: Three parking lots, 5,800 spaces · Lot A or C, depending on the building · Elevators near main entrances.

C2E2Apr 30 to May 2, 2027ConfirmedFestival page

Is it for you

Choose it if

You want on-campus parking for a large event.
You want elevators and wheelchair accessible meeting rooms and theaters.

Think twice if

You plan to carry cash for food.
You want to leave and come back on a single Lot A or C ticket.

Getting there and parking

There are three main lots on the McCormick Place campus, Lot A, Lot B and Lot C, all within walking distance of the convention complex. Events in the North, South and West Buildings use Lot A at 2301 South Prairie Avenue. Events in Lakeside Center and Arie Crown Theater use Lot C at 1801 Fort Dearborn Drive.

Lot A and Lot C charge $27 for up to 16 hours and $40 from 16 to 24 hours, and Lot B is a flat $18 per day. Prepaid parking is $40 per day and guaranteed even if the lots fill to capacity. A lost ticket pays the $40 overnight fee per day.

Coming from the north, northwest or O'Hare Airport, take I-90/94 East to I-55 North and then Lake Shore Drive, exit at 31st Street and turn onto Moe Drive. From the west, take I-290 East to I-94 East and follow the same route to 31st Street.

Accessibility

Elevators are near the main entrances in all McCormick Place buildings and near the main exhibit halls on all levels. All meeting rooms and theaters are wheelchair accessible except rooms E268, E269, E272A, E272B, E272C and E272D. First aid stations, restaurants, retail outlets and drinking fountains are wheelchair accessible, and restrooms have either accessible or ambulatory stalls.

Accessible parking is in Lot A, in Lot C underground in Lakeside Center, and in the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place garage. Arie Crown Theater has wheelchair seating throughout, and companion seating can be arranged with advance notice. Assisted listening transmitters and receivers are free on a first come, first served basis, and a TTY phone is at the Security Command Center in the North Building on Level 1.

Scootaround Mobility Solutions rents wheelchairs, mobility scooters, power chairs and oxygen equipment.

Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (mccormickplace.com).

Camping

We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at McCormick Place. The venue's own pages are the place to check: mccormickplace.com.

Food, water and what you can bring

Food and drink are cashless, and all major credit cards are accepted. A food court on level 2 of the West Building has Little Italy, Pacific Rim, American Grill and Fiesta Brava counters plus sandwiches, salads and snacks. The 23rd St. Café & Market on level 3 of the Grand Concourse has a seated café and a grab and go market.

On the show floor there is a pizza oven with paninis, burgers and chicken sandwiches, open during scheduled event activity only.