You thought going to Riot Fest would be a good idea, huh? Well, you’re right, but we can’t have you going into the three-day music festival blind. So, we’re going to answer all of your burning questions (whether we like it or not).
If this is the first year you’ve even heard of Riot Fest (we’ve been around since 2005) or you’re just plain clueless, we’ve put together an all-inclusive First Timer’s Guide to make sure you survive the weekend.
ABOUT US
Riot Fest is an annual 3-day music festival in Douglass Park, Chicago, featuring the best of punk, rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, metal, alternative, and just about everything in between (you can see who’s played Riot Fest in past years here).
We’ve got 90+ performances across 5 different stages, on top of carnival rides (including a Ferris wheel, the Zipper, and Tilt-a-Whirl), tons of food & drink options, a wide array of merchants selling records, art, jewelry, and more! We also have the Riot Fest Wedding Chapel for the third year in a row and 32 couples have already signed up to tie the knot on Saturday and Sunday from noon until 4 pm. Go check it out and feel the love.
Besides music, rides, merch, and matrimony, we’ll have the Riot Pop! skate ramp where the pros will be performing gnarly tricks, a tent full of FREE arcade games (for the gamer in us all) and something we’re only able to describe as Muppet Music. Oh and Riot Fest is ALL-AGES (kids 5 and under are FREE), so bring the fam, snag a corn dog, and strap in for the best weekend of your life.
Hot tip: familiarize yourself with the the map, FAQ and additional links below before you go!
QUICK LINKS
GETTING TO RIOT FEST
We strongly suggest that you 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!
TAKING THE BUS/TRAIN? 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.
RIDING A BIKE? There is a bicycle parking area located near the corner of W. 19th St. and S. Albany Ave., just a block away from the festival’s Main Entrance. Working Bikes, a local non-profit, will be providing valet services, flat tire fixes, and brake checks for a small donation.
Please read our Transportation Guide for detailed instructions on bus and train routes, and bike options.
HOTELS FOR RIOT FEST
If you haven’t already, booking accommodations is a good idea before you arrive in Chicago since this is a 3-day music festival. If you’re not crashing on your besties couch, or staying at a VRBO or AirBNB, then your next best option is to stay in a hotel. We sell hotel packages through our ticketing provider Tixr, that you can access at the link below. (Scroll past ticketing options)
HOW DO I GET MY TICKETS?
For GA ticket holders, your passes are electronic and will be issued to you starting August 30. We recommend you print your ticket in advance, or at least screenshot it on your phone before you get to the fest because cell service can be spotty in crowds. You DO NOT need to visit the box office or Will Call; you can head straight to the main entrance with your ticket! As a courtesy to Douglass Park residents, General Admission tickets DO NOT permit re-entry throughout the day. 3-Day and 2-Day GA tickets will use the same ticket to enter each day, so don’t lose it!
VIP/Deluxe/Deluxe+, your wristbands are held at dedicated check-in tents in the box office area. Look for signs that match your ticket type, and present your ID & order confirmation to the attendant to retrieve your wristband.
Box Office Location:
On the corner of W. Ogden Ave. and S. Sacramento Dr.
Box Office Hours:
Friday, September 15th 11 AM – 9 PM
Saturday, September 16th 11 AM – 9 PM
Sunday, September 17th 11 AM – 9 PM
Once you pick up your wristbands, the private entry gates for VIP, Deluxe, and Deluxe+ tickets are located east of the main entrance (when facing the main entrance, VIP Entrance will be on your left).
POWERED BY TIXR
ALL ATTENDEES, PLEASE NOTE:
Don’t sneak in any booze, you’ll go to prison and we’ll call your mother.
Luba (Office Director)
- If there are issues with the passes, only the customer whose name is on the order will be able to receive customer support.
- All pass holders must clear security, and all bags are subject to inspection. (If security takes your stuff, you will not get it back.)
- Riot Fest is a rain-or-shine event. All sales are final. Lineup and set times are all subject to change.
- Unable to view or print your ticket from your Tixr account?
Please be sure to log in with the same email address used for purchase. Still having trouble? Customer support will be available on-site. Photo ID of original purchaser required. Sorry, we cannot help you if you purchased through a third-party website, ie. StubHub. - Cash and card are both accepted at Riot Fest. There will also be ATMs around the festival grounds.
- VIP, Deluxe, and Deluxe+ upgrades are available! You can upgrade your ticket on-site at the box office or inside festival grounds at any VIP or Deluxe gate. (Please Note: some upgrades may be unavailable if sold out.) We promise, it’s worth the air conditioned bathrooms.
- Please review our Anti-Harassment Policy before you get here.
- ADA Accessibility Questions? If you can’t find your answer in our FAQs, please email [email protected] with the subject line: “Accessibility at Riot Fest 2023” or visit the Accessibility Booth at the festival, located inside the main gate.
- Lost something? Found something? Visit the Info Booth at the festival and/or email [email protected].
- Lockers will be available for rental during the fest. These sell out quickly, so you can reserve them ahead of time online. Get one now to charge your phone and keep your stuff safe!
FOOD & DRINK
- We have dozens of food vendors with multiple vegan options across the festival grounds.
- Douglass Park is surrounded by a delectable array of local food, with some places staying open late each night after the fest. If you’re looking for a late-night bite after a long day of Riot Fest, see our Neighborhood Guide! (Also, plan your post-fest munchie trips before 50,000 people are trying to upload selfies.)
You are probably going to meet the person of your dreams, don’t blow it with stank breath.
Marc (Booking Department)
TIPS & TRICKS
FOR RIOT FEST WEEKEND:
- Get the Riot Fest App! It has all the info you need: the schedule, the map (with GPS location), the annoying-but-lovable Riot Fest Twitter Person notifications… what more could you ask for?
- Wear sunscreen, you fool. (Don’t forget to re-apply too, or else…)
- Stay hydrated. Drink as much water as you can over the weekend. We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle and taking advantage of the water station (the line moves fast).
- Ask for consent. Riot Fest has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind. Read our Anti-Harassment Policy before you get here.
- Respect our neighbors! Don’t loiter on private residences (including lawns, porches and alleys). Yield for traffic when you leave the festival—especially emergency vehicles. And please… DON’T LITTER!
If you’re a short person like myself, I like to be on the sides of the stages in stead of looking at tall heads.
Nancy (Community Relations Specialist)
- Take a picture of the schedule and set it as your home screen. Saves serious battery life not having to constantly unlock your phone. You’re welcome.
- Get here early if you can (around 90 minutes before the first band you want to see). Some of the best sets you’ll see will be early in the day (we promise!)—and if it’s your first time, you’ll appreciate getting to know the festival grounds before the crowd gets bigger.
- Discover new music. Watch at least one band you’ve never heard of, and make time for the opening bands at the beginning of the day.
Whether you end up liking the music or not, listening to new music is hot n’ sexy n’ fun, and you’re never too cool for it.
Mo (Brand Manager)
- Bring your comfiest shoes. You’re going to be walking a lot. You don’t have to sacrifice fashion to pick a durable, reliable pair of kicks for the weekend.
- Avoid the chafe! If those shorts are short, try wearing deodorant in between your thighs (or use baby powder) to alleviate chafing.
- Pick up your trash, you filthy animal.
- Wear different shoes each day, if you can—or opt for insoles so that your feet aren’t sitting in the same spots in your shoes!
- Bring hair ties. You will find a way to use them or you’ll find someone who needs one (Make a new friend!)
If there’s something you really really want to see, plan accordingly. But don’t plan out your whole day, leave some time to go with the flow.
Jake (Booking Department)
Take a picture of the schedule and set it as your home screen. Saves serious battery life not having to constantly unlock your phone. You’re welcome
Caroline (Riot Mike’s Handler)
Finally, advice from our Riot Fest Twitter guy (that you shouldn’t take).
If you want to avoid using the portapotties drink as little water as possible. Earplugs are for cowards, you are strong and so are your eardrums.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
No problem. For information on renting a locker, what you can/can’t bring to Riot Fest—and more!—read our full FAQ here.
**This link will be updated as more information becomes available.
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