Chicago Target hosts midnight release for Taylor Swift’s new album

The Target store located at 2656 N. Elston Ave., in the city’s Bucktown neighborhood, is hosting a special midnight release of Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” at midnight, Oct. 3.

It’s the only Target location in Chicago open late for Taylor Swift fans to purchase exclusive album content, including limited-run vinyl records and CDs with collectible posters.

“I think it’s really important to have moments and like be part of those moments,” Swiftie Jillian Rossman said.

Rossman was one of the first in line with her boyfriend, his first Taylor Swift album release experience.

“Well, I’m thinking that maybe if he listens to that album and has a memory with it, like he’ll be converted a little bit. He’ll be like, ‘This is the one I was here for, like, remember when we stayed up all night to listen to this album?’ Like, I’m hoping that this convinced us,” Rossman said.

How can you shop the midnight release?

Beginning at 10 p.m. Thursday, fans can pick up a ticket inside Target to secure their spot in line and return at midnight to redeem their Taylor Swift CDs or vinyl. Target said there will be a designated queuing location at 11:45 p.m. so that fans can make their purchase at midnight.

Ticketing will take place until all tickets are claimed or 10 minutes before midnight, as stock is limited.

The Elston Target location will stay open until 1 a.m.

Due to high demand, there will be a purchase limit of four per item, per guest, for “The Life of a Showgirl” items:

• “The Life of a Showgirl: It’s Frightening” CD with poster (Target exclusive)
• “The Life of a Showgirl: It’s Rapturous” CD with poster (Target exclusive)
• “The Life of a Showgirl: It’s Beautiful” CD with poster (Target exclusive)
• “The Life of a Showgirl: Sweat and Vanilla Perfume” CD with poster (standard)
• “The Life of a Showgirl: The Crowd Is Your King” with Summertime Spritz Pink Shimmer vinyl with poster (Target exclusive)

All told, nearly 500 Target stores nationwide will stay open late for the midnight release. Other stores in Illinois participating include:

• Bloomington Normal 
  • 301 Veterans Pkwy, Normal, IL 61761
• Champaign 
  • 2102 N Prospect Ave, Champaign, IL 61822
• East Peoria 
  • 480 W Washington St, East Peoria, IL 61611
• Edwardsville 
  • 2350 Troy Rd, Edwardsville, IL 62025
• Quincy
  • 3701 Broadway St, Quincy, IL 62305
• Rockford 
  • 6560 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108
• Shiloh 
  • 3400 Green Mount Crossing Dr, Shiloh, IL 62269
• Springfield 
  • 3445 Freedom Dr, Springfield, IL 62704

“The Life of a Showgirl” will also be available to stream on Apple Music and Spotify.