Riot Fest 2025
Friday, September 19 - Sunday, September 21, 2025
*dates are not yet confirmed
Riot Fest 2025: Gear Up for a Raucous Punk Rock Riot in Chicago
Chicago prepares for its annual sonic explosion as Riot Fest descends upon Douglass Park this September 19-21, 2025. This three-day festival is a haven for punk rock enthusiasts, alternative music lovers, and anyone seeking a weekend of mosh pits, anthems, and good vibes.
Riot Fest Royalty Returns: This year’s lineup promises to be legendary. Headliners like My Chemical Romance and Paramore, both returning after years of absence, are sure to ignite the crowd with their electrifying energy. Expect a potent mix of nostalgia and new discoveries, with established punk icons like Rancid and The Dropkick Murphys sharing the stage with exciting up-and-coming acts on the rise.
Beyond the Headliners: Riot Fest isn’t just about the big names. The festival boasts a diverse lineup spanning punk, rock, ska, and even some hip-hop influences. Explore hidden gems on smaller stages and experience the raw energy of the Riot Fest underground scene.
More Than Just Music: While music takes center stage, Riot Fest offers a full festival experience. Explore the expansive food court, where vendors offer everything from classic festival fare to gourmet delights. Take a break between sets to browse the vibrant marketplace, filled with unique merchandise and local crafts.
A Family-Friendly Riot: Don’t let the “riot” in the name fool you – Riot Fest is surprisingly family-friendly. Kids 5 and under get in free, and there’s a designated area with activities specifically geared towards younger festival-goers.
A Celebration of Community: Riot Fest fosters a strong sense of community, with a passionate fanbase that thrives on shared musical experiences. Whether you’re decked out in punk attire or simply there for the good music, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere at Riot Fest.
So, crank up the volume, dust off your checkered Vans, and get ready to experience the electrifying energy of Riot Fest 2024 in Chicago. It’s a weekend of unforgettable music, good times, and pure rock n’ roll revelry!
Riot Fest Lineup 2025
Riot Fest Tickets
Honestly @RiotFest is the best thing to follow on this app. Gives no shit about how angry people get about them not posting the lineup. Feed them your hate. It only makes them stronger! At this point I hope they just make it Slayer for all three days all set list times.
— IndyDeath (@IndyDeath) June 6, 2024
I save my money for big fests. Actually it's really just @RiotFest. Bang for buck it's the best option.
— AuntAoife🌹 (@atiela_theHun) June 6, 2024
The Riot Fest lineup comes out on Wednesday when I’m at Bonnaroo- looking forward to forcing my groop mates to be excited about it with me 🫡
— Chloe ✨ (@FestieFood) June 6, 2024
Location
We strongly urge festival attendees to either take public transportation, ride a bicycle, or take a cab or ride-sharing service to Riot Fest. These are the most effective, environmentally sound, and neighborly methods to get to Douglass Park.
The CTA Pink Line’s California Ave. stop is just blocks away from the festival entrance—it’s the most convenient route to the fest. While you’re in the neighborhood, you should check out the Neighborhood Guide, or pull up the neighborhood map in the Riot App closer to the festival to see points of interest, restaurants, late night aftershow venues, pharmacies, grocery stores, and more!
FAQ
What time do gates open daily?
Historically, festival gates opened at 11:00 am CT and curfew is 10:00 pm CT each day of the event (Fri-Sun).
Can I re-enter the park throughout the day?
As a courtesy to neighbors, re-entry is not permitted for GA ticket holders. VIP, Deluxe, and Deluxe+ wristbands permit re-entry; a GA ticket will allow you to enter the grounds once each day listed on the ticket.
What is NOT allowed at the festival grounds?
NO Air horns
NO Audio/Video equipment of any kind (including personal camcorders and GoPro cameras)
NO Bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters (inside festival grounds)
NO Cantaloupe
NO Chairs with metal frames (except medical devices, obviously)
NO CM Punk (Until he apologizes for what he did…)
NO Coolers of any kind, including hard-sided and soft-sided coolers
NO Crying
NO Drones
NO Eve 6 or people who follow Eve 6 on Twitter
NO Fireworks or incendiary devices
NO Focused-light devices, including laser pointers
NO Glass (Of any kind! Yes, that includes glass bottles!)
NO Glow sticks
NO Hula Hoops
NO Illegal and Illicit substances of any kind (Chicago Cannabis Consumption & Possession Laws)
NO Item(s) that can be used as a means to disturb the peace, endanger the safety of the crowd, and/or inflict damage to people and goods.
NO Items intended for sale/promotion
NO Kid Rock’s stupid ass and any Kid Rock fans
NO Laptops
NO Littering
NO Mace
NO Megaphones
NO Metal containers of any kind, including metal cans and reusable metal water bottles
NO Native American headdresses
NO Outside food and beverages of any kind (*unless medically necessary)
NO Pets (except service animals)
NO Pineapple on Pizza (Jen does not agree with this rule)
NO Professional radios or walkie-talkies
NO Professional cameras with removable lens
NO Selfie Sticks
NO Sharp objects, long chains, or anything that an unreasonable person could use to harm others
NO Soccer balls, footballs, frisbees, or other projectiles (ie. glow sticks)
NO Totems/signs on poles
NO Water guns, water balloons, and/or any other kind of water projectile
NO Weapons, knives, or firearms of any kind
NO Umbrellas
