Easier, Better, Safer – Lyric’s New Traffic Plan

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Lyric is dedicated to providing our audience with extraordinary experiences in the theater. We’re equally as focused on making sure the entire visit to the opera house, from arrival to departure, is the best it can be for every patron.  

We are pleased to announce that Lyric, in cooperation with the City of Chicago, has implemented a new traffic control plan to provide guests with an improved travel experience for theater arrivals and departures.  After a set of successful trial runs in the spring during performances of The King and I, Lyric is pleased to share the following plan:

Prior to your next visit, please review these important changes:

Arrival:

Pedestrian access to the theater will remain the same.

New dynamic message signs will be posted around the opera house to reflect the new traffic pattern.  Please read and follow those directions.

There will one drop-off location for patrons along the curb lane on southbound Wacker Drive near the theater’s main entrance.  This area will be designated as a drop-off lane only.

Vehicle drop-offs will NOT be allowed on Madison Street in front of the theater entrance.

No parking/standing of any vehicles will be allowed along southbound Wacker Drive in front of the Civic Opera House Building. This area will be designated as an unloading zone only.

Valet Operation will remain the same. Patrons wishing to valet park should proceed to the valet stand in the right lane. Please note that valet parking will be unavailable prior to 5pm for evening performances and, as always, there is no valet parking service for matinee performances.


Departure: 

Southbound Wacker Drive will be CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC in front of the theater except for weekday matinee performances.  Southbound Wacker Drive will reopen approximately 30 minutes following the performance.

Uber / Lyft Users: Please input the 10 S. Wacker Drive address as your pick-up location for your drive. That is the ride-share pick-up point on Wacker Drive, just south of Madison Street.

Taxi Users: Lyric Opera taxi stand will remain the same and patrons should continue to use the Madison Street theater exit and line up in the lobby. Additional taxis will be waiting on Wacker Drive just south of Madison Street if you desire a quicker departure.

Valet Users: Valet-parked vehicles will be held on Wacker Drive in front of the theater. All valet-parked vehicles will be required to exit onto northbound Wacker Drive via a U-turn.

Charter Buses / Matinee Performances: Charter buses will be assigned a designated parking area.  Lyric Staff will provide you with additional instructions upon arrival.