Riot Fest Chicago is a three-day music festival focusing on punk, rock, metal, and hip hop, though you can expect to see the occasional darling of the alternative scene thrown in for good measure. Past performers include a litany of chart toppers, from System of a Down to No Doubt, Blink 182, Snoop Dogg, Run DMC, Motorhead, and Rancid. What sets Riot Fest apart from its rivals, though, is its ability to blend the soundtrack of hardcore punk or hip hop with the Carnivale atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro. Chicago’s Douglas Park turns the West Side into a fully stocked midway with state fair staples, including a soaring Ferris wheel, speedy slides for the kids, and carnival games complete with prizes. There’s even the Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow for the adventurous type. But Riot Fest is all about the music, and there’s no escaping it here, no matter where you stand. Six stages – each devoted to a specific style of music – surround the park, with the main stage set up along Ogden Avenue. Riot Fest, founded in 2005, has proven so successful that it has spread to other cities in the United States and Canada, though the best time can be had at the music festival’s birthplace. Score with TicketCity - the place to go for Riot Fest Chicago tickets.
2016 Riot Fest Chicago Lineup
The Flaming Lips - Ween – Julien Marley – The Specials – Jimmy Eat World – NOFX - Refused - Pierce The Veil – All Time Low - Glassjaw - Pepper – Meat Puppets – Dan Deacon - GWAR – Set Your Goals – Neck Deep – Highly Suspect – Fu Manchu – Girls Against Boys - The Dillenger Escape Plan – Tigers Jaw – Basement - Touché Amoré- Diarrhea Planet – Big D & The Kids Table - Citizen - Turnover – Violent Soho – Off With Their Heads – Holy White Hounds – Laura Stevenson - Somos – 3Teeth – The Wans - Jule Vera - Worriers - Eskimeaux – The Far East Bad Cop / Bad Cop
Morrissey - Death Cab For Cutie – Social Distortion - Brand New – Fitz & The Tantrums - Descendents – Motion City Soundtrack – The Hives – Bob Mould – The Hold Steady – Method Man & Redman - GZA – Smoking Popes - The Vandals – Fucked Up - I The Mighty – The Toasters – Hippo Campus – Balance & Composure – People Under The Stairs – White Lung – Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas – Dee-1 – Brick + Mortar – Night Riots – Plague Vendor - Microwave – Death Spells – Deal’s Gone Bad – Black Foxxes – The Walters – Nots - Donna Missal – Tasha The Amazon - Blackbox- High Waisted – Summer Cannibals – Partner – Kitten Forever – Sleepy Kitty – School of Rock
The Original Misfits - Rob Zombie – Sleater-Kinney - Deftones – Bad Religion - Underoath - Thursday – Jake Bugg – Death Grips – The Julie Ruin – Chevy Metal – Me First & The Gimme Gimmes – Tiger Army - GZA – The Wonder Years - Dee Snider - Andrew W.K. - Andrew W.K. – Leftover Crack – Billy Talent – The Falcon – Juliette Lewis & The Licks – FrnkIero AndThePatience – The Bronx - Pouya – Swingin’ Utters - Denzel Curry – Bleached - Tancred - Creeper – Marina City – Syd Arthur – The Dirty Nil – The So So Glos – Big Ups – All Dogs – War On Women – Hard Girls – A Will Away – Can’t Swim – With Our Arms to the Sun - The Gallow Walkers – School of Rock
2016 Riot Fest Chicago at Douglas Park
Address: 1401 S Sacramento Dr, Chicago, IL 60623 Douglas Park is a sprawling, 173-acre slice of greenery in Chicago’s North Lawndale community. Though smack in the middle of a major urban area, the park has plenty of trees and can cool down quickly when it gets a bit of a breeze off Lake Michigan. One of the best features of the concert’s layout is how close the audience can get to Riot Fest performers at the smaller stages. Concert organizers have also cut down on travel time by placing several festival stages close together, giving you the chance to see your favorite performers without wearing yourself out. In the middle of it all, of course, is the carnival section, acting like a wheel hub leading to the stages, food venders, and sideshow barkers.
Riot Fest Chicago Event Guide
Can I drive to the event?
While there is limited parking, this is a big-city music festival. Your best bet is to take public transportation. There’s a CTA stop at Douglas Park, and then it’s a short walk to the Albany Avenue entrance. Also, Riot Fest provides 10,000 spots for those biking in.
What time do the gates open for Riot Fest?
The venue gates will open at 11:00AM each day rain or shine, and the music will end at 10 PM.
Is there camping at Riot Fest Chicago?
Unfortunately, no. There is no camping allowed in the park, but Chicago and the surrounding suburbs have some great hotels.