Frequently Asked Questions

Blankets  – YES (but please be courteous of other festival goers and keep blankets out of pathways)
Empty PLASTIC water bottle – YES
Standard sized backpacks, bags, and purses -YES
Non-professional cameras and digital cameras – YES
Professional Cameras with removable lens (this includes digital and film) – NO
Phone Chargers / Portable Phone Chargers – YES
Strollers – YES
Cellphones – YES
Rain coats – YES
Bug spray in NON-AEROSOL containers – YES
Sunscreen in NON-AEROSOL containers – YES
Hats – YES
Earplugs – YES
John Stamos – YES
Prescription and OTC medications subject to specific conditions – YES*
CamelBak-style water bladder systems subject to specific conditions – YES**
E-cigs – Factory-sealed, YES (i.e., Blu, Juul, etc.). Refillable E-cigs and vape pens must be empty and juice refills are not allowed.

Selfie Sticks – NO
Laptops – NO
Crying – NO 
Littering – NO
Native American Headdresses – NO
Cantaloupe – NO
Umbrellas – NO
Pets (except service animals) – NO
Professional radios or walkie-talkies – NO
Glass and metal containers of any kind – NO
CM Punk – NO
Pineapple on Pizza – NO
Hula Hoops – NO
Illegal and Illicit substances of any kind – NO
Chairs of any kind – NO
Audio/Video equipment of any kind (including personal camcorders and GoPro cameras) – NO
Professional Cameras with removable lens – NO
Coolers of any kind, including hard-sided and soft-sided coolers – NO
Glass of any kind, including glass bottles – NO
Metal containers of any kind, including metal cans and reusable metal water bottles – NO
Outside food and beverages of any kind – NO
Bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters – NO
Weapons, knives, or firearms of any kind – NO
Mace – NO
Fireworks or incendiary devices – NO
Sharp objects, long chains, or anything that an unreasonable person could use to harm others – NO
Soccer balls, footballs, frisbees, or other projectiles – NO
Focused-light devices, including laser pointers – NO
Air horns – NO
Megaphones – NO
Items intended for sale/promotion – NO
Drones – NO
Water guns, water balloons, and/or any other kind of water projectile – NO
Any item 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

– All guests and their belongings are subject to search.
– Any prohibited item that is surrendered to security at search points will not be returned.
– Allowed and Not Allowed lists are subject to change.
– Security reserves the right to make the final determination on allowed and not allowed items.

* Prescription medications are allowed only in the original prescription bottle, any persons attempting to bring in prescription medication must have a government-issued photo identification card that matches the name printed on the prescription, and the pills in the bottle must match the description printed on the prescription.  Further, if a patron has mixed multiple pills in a single prescription container or if a person is attempting to enter with prescription pills in a non-prescription container, medical representatives should be involved to make the final determination about whether or not such pills are to be allowed in the venue.

Over-the-counter medications are allowed in provided that they are new and the original, factory-sealed container.
** CamelBak-style water bladder systems are allowed empty into the venue, however, the water bladders themselves must be capable of being removed from the carrier and must be transparent enough to allow security to visually inspect the empty bladder.  Any CamelBak-style water bladder system that cannot be removed from the carrier and/or is opaque enough to prevent visual inspection will not be allowed into the venue.

If you have an electronic ticket you can scan it at the gate using your phone, BUT we strongly encourage you to take a screenshot of your ticket on your phone and/or print your tickets. Reception can be spotty and we want the line to move as quickly as possible. Thanks.

Riot Fest Box Office is located near the corner of Ogden & Sacramento.

Regular Box Office Hours –
Friday, September 13th: 11:00AM – 9:30PM
Saturday, September 14th: 11:00AM – 9:30PM
Sunday, September 15th: 10:30AM – 9:30PM

Rain or Shine event. Tickets are nonrefundable/nontransferable. All event information, including lineup is subject to change.

Need help? Here’s how to contact the Eventbrite Attendee Support team:

-Click the Contact the Organizer button on the event listing page
-Click the Contact the Organizer button included in your order on the Tickets page of your Eventbrite account
-Call the support number included in the confirmation email (hours listed below)

Attendee Support phone hours:
-Sunday: 11am – 5pm Central Time
-Monday – Wednesday: 9am – 6pm Central Time
-Thursday – Friday: 9am – 7pm Central Time
-Saturday: 11am – 6pm Central Time

Limited parking will be available from 10:00AM – 11:00PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at these two locations:

Entrance located at 12^th & California.
Friday –Sunday, 10:00am – 11:00pm.
$30 per vehicle, per day.
No overnight parking.

Maria Saucedo Elementary School
2850 W. 24th Blvd.
Entrance located at W. 23rd Pl. and S. California Ave.
$20 per vehicle, per day.
No overnight parking.

If you must drive, please respect Douglas Park residents and do NOT park on residential streets surrounding the park.

Riot Fest suggests that fans either take public transportation, or 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 Douglas Park. The CTA Pink Line’s California Ave. stop is just blocks away from the festival entrance – the most convenient route to the fest.

CTA:
Via the Pink Line
Just around the corner from the entrance to Riot Fest, this is the most convenient way to get to Riot Fest & Carnival in Douglas Park. Take the Pink Line and exit the train at the California stop.

Once off the train, head north on California, make a left (west) on 19th St., then a right on Albany Ave. Head north on Albany Ave, then turn right on Ogden Ave. and the Riot Fest entrance will be on your right at the corner of Ogden Ave. and Sacramento Dr. Total distance is only .71 miles.

Riot Fest is actively working with the CTA to increase service and frequency to and from Douglas Park. Please visit TransitChicago.com & the links provided below for service hours and more information.

Helpful CTA Links:
Schedules/Service Hours For Trains & Buses
Bus Tracker
Train Tracker
CTA System Map

Yes. You can find the map here.

Gates for Riot Fest 2019 will open at 11:00 a.m. each day, and the festival will end at 10:00 p.m. each night.

Yes, you can. If you’d like to upgrade your General Admission ticket(s) to VIP, Deluxe, or Ultimate, please reference the following instructions:

If you would like to upgrade your Eventbrite pass, first purchase the new ticket(s) and then, with both confirmations (order #s) handy, click the “Contact the Organizer” button from our ticket page or your confirmation email, and they will assist in refunding your original Eventbrite purchase.

Head to our TICKETS PAGE for more information.

You can download the Riot Fest app for iOS here or Android here.

Here is a list of our food vendors:

Aztec Dave’s
Bacci Pizzeria (GA and VIP)*
Billy Goat Tavern
Cold Stone Creamery*
Dark Matter Coffee*
Don Pez Fish Tacos
El Asador*
Festi Bowl*
Green Street Local*
Grumpy’s Homemade*
Gus’s Famous Fried Chicken
Home Bakery/Dumpling House*
Houndstooth Saloon*
Inspired Catering and Events*
Island Noodles*
Jerry’s Cherry Lemonade/Shaved Ice*
Lee Concessions (GA and VIP)
Main Street Grill (VIP)
Melissa’s Pal Crepes*
Pizano’s Pizza and Pasta*
Quang Noodle (GA and VIP)
Real Good Food & Catering*
Reggies*
Sabor a Cuba
Stable Foods/Soul Vegan*
Suzie’s Fun Foods*
Taco in a Bag
Taqueria Los Comales*
Cheesie’s (Food Truck)*
Harold’s Chicken (Food Truck)
Pink Taco (Food Truck)*
Whadda Jerk (Food Truck)
*Vegetarian and/or Vegan options

A 3-Day General Admission ticket will grant entry to the festival grounds Sept. 13-15th, 2019 where you can watch performances across any of the stages throughout the park. This is also where the vendors and other fun things will be set up for your enjoyment. Sorry, but as a courtesy to Douglas Park residents, re-entry will not be permitted.

Ticket/VIP upgrades available, please contact the Eventbrite Attendee Support team:

-Click the Contact the Organizer button on the event listing page
-Click the Contact the Organizer button included in your order on the Tickets page of your Eventbrite account
-Call the support number included in the confirmation email (hours listed below)

Attendee Support phone hours:
-Sunday: 11am – 5pm Central Time
-Monday – Wednesday: 9am – 6pm Central Time
-Thursday – Friday: 9am – 7pm Central Time
-Saturday: 11am – 6pm Central Time

More info coming soon.

Riot Fest has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind.

Riot Fest has a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian options for you to eat.

We will have limited parking reserved for those with parking permits, and those with disabilities should be transported to and dropped off at the main gates. Attendees who may need assistance should alert security and inform them of their needs at the gates upon entry, they will assist you in accessing the festival. Those with trouble walking or standing should use an all-terrain wheelchair and/or attend with someone who can help them navigate the vast festival grounds. Onsite, there are some paved pathways to use, accessible toilets will be provided in all parts of the venue and accessible ramps will be placed next to the Front of House structure at a couple of the main stages. If you have further questions please email [email protected] with the subject line Accessibility, or after arriving at the festival, head over to the Information Tent on the grounds, and they will be able to assist.

* Prescription medications are allowed only in the original prescription bottle, any persons attempting to bring in prescription medication must have a government-issued photo identification card that matches the name printed on the prescription, and the pills in the bottle must match the description printed on the prescription.  Further, if a patron has mixed multiple pills in a single prescription container or if a person is attempting to enter with prescription pills in a non-prescription container, medical representatives should be involved to make the final determination about whether or not such pills are to be allowed in the venue.

Over-the-counter medications are allowed in provided that they are new and in the original, factory-sealed container.

Yes, of course you can. If you have pre-existing medical conditions that need medication, special diets or extra awareness, please talk to the security personnel at the entrance. They’ll take you to the first aid tent and make sure your medications or other needs are taken care of or stored should they need refrigeration.

* Prescription medications are allowed only in the original prescription bottle, any persons attempting to bring in prescription medication must have a government-issued photo identification card that matches the name printed on the prescription, and the pills in the bottle must match the description printed on the prescription.  Further, if a patron has mixed multiple pills in a single prescription container or if a person is attempting to enter with prescription pills in a non-prescription container, medical representatives should be involved to make the final determination about whether or not such pills are to be allowed in the venue.

Over-the-counter medications are allowed in provided that they are new and in the original, factory-sealed container.

YES! Wear sunscreen, you fool. You don’t want to be sunburned and miserable all weekend.

No. But here are some hotel suggestions.

Lose something at Riot Fest? We are here to help.

Please head to the INFORMATION BOOTH on site. All items will be there until the fest is over on Sunday.

After the fest is over please email [email protected] with the following information:
– Subject: “Riot Fest Chicago – Lost Item”
– A detailed description of the lost item

(After 30 days all unclaimed items will be donated or destroyed.)

Yes. We’ve partnered with our friends at Curadora.

Yes, we do have lockers. You can reserve them here.

Hell yes, it is. Riot Fest is all ages. Exposing kids to awesome music is super important.

Children 5 years old and under will be admitted (with a ticket holding adult) for free.

As a courtesy to Douglas Park community members, re-entry is not permitted for GA pass holders. A multi-day GA pass will allow you to enter the grounds once each day listed on the ticket.

We’re currently seeking residents from North Lawndale and Douglas Park-adjacent communities to work in temporary positions during this year’s festival. Read more about the 2019 Riot Fest Community Job Fairs here.

In addition, you can earn free Riot Fest tickets in exchange for helping us spread the word about our festival and the club shows we put on throughout the year. Read more about the Riot Fest Street Team here.

Once again, we have invited our Douglas Park neighbors to come out and enjoy Riot Fest’s 15th anniversary festival, from September 13–15, free of charge.

All in person registration dates have passed.

No hard tickets will be issued. All registered neighbors will be placed on a Community List and allowed General Admission pass-thru during the event. All attendees must pass through a security checkpoint and bags are subject to inspection.

No. Riot Fest does not and will not use facial recognition technology at their events. We couldn’t afford even if we wanted to.