Frequently Asked Questions

TICKETS, ORDERS & UPGRADES

Can I buy tickets to Riot Fest 2022?

Riot Fest 2022 tickets are ON SALE NOW! 1-Day and 2-Day passes are available (3-Day passes are officially sold out).

Wait… I can get a 2-Day Pass?

Yes you can! If you want to go Friday + Saturday, or Saturday + Sunday (or even Friday + Sunday), you can do so with a nice little discount added. 

You can find 2-Day Passes on Eventbrite as a ticket option under the first day you want to attend, either Friday or Saturday. (Please note: these tickets are GA only.)

Can I get a refund?

Unless you are upgrading a ticket, we are unable to offer refunds.

We are NOT able to process refunds in the event of: illness; pregnancy; inclement weather; family emergencies and/or deaths; travel, vacation, or change of residency; military deployment, etc. personal reasons.

What does a GA ticket include?

A General Admission ticket will grant entry once per day to the festival grounds Sept. 16–18, 2022 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.

As a courtesy to Douglass Park residents, re-entry will not be permitted for GA ticket holders—as in, once you’re in for the day, you can’t leave and come back during the same day.

DO I HAVE TO PRINT MY GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET?

No, it is not required. We just recommend that you print it because 1. cell reception can be spotty at large events and 2. sometimes the machines have trouble scanning from phone screens in the sunlight.

Can I upgrade my ticket after I’ve bought it?

Yes! Please note that upgrades can only be performed between the same ticket types (i.e. 3-Day to 3-Day; 1-Day -> 1-Day).

To upgrade your 2022 ticket to a VIP/Deluxe/Ultimate pass, please refer to the following instructions:

1. First, you must purchase the new, upgraded ticket(s), if available.
2. Next, you will need to contact us. Email us at [email protected]
3. In your email, let us know you’d like to upgrade and include both order #s.
4. Once that’s done, we’ll refund your original order.

Are the five VIP beverage tickets for the whole weekend, or do I get five each day?

Each 3-day VIP pass includes five (count ’em, 5) beverage tickets total for the entire weekend (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). 1- & 2-Day VIP passes do not include any drink tickets.

Where is my ticket? I can’t find my confirmation email! I need to change my address! I need help!

Slow down there, partner! We can easily resend your order confirmation email, not to worry. And since no tickets will be delivered via post, your physical address is irrelevant. All GA orders are set for delayed delivery and will be issued 8/25/22. All other passes (VIP, Deluxe, and Ultimate) will be held at will call.

Before contacting us, please make sure you’ve attempted to locate your order through your Eventbrite account. You should be able to see it by logging into your account there. Make certain that you’ve logged into the correct account that is associated with the email address you used for purchase.

If that doesn’t work, and you still need help finding or updating your ticket information, here’s how to contact us:

1. Log into your Eventbrite account and go to “Tickets.” Select your order and then click “Contact the Organizer.”
2. If you’re unable to get into your Eventbrite account, go ahead and email us at [email protected].

Riot Fest is a rain or shine event. Tickets are nonrefundable/nontransferable. All event information, including lineup, is subject to change.

How and where do I pick up my VIP, Deluxe, or Ultimate pass(es)?

All non-GA passes will be held at Will Call. Please visit the dedicated pick-up tent according to your ticket type. If you purchased a VIP pass, head to the ‘VIP Check-In’ Tent. If Deluxe, get in the ‘Deluxe’ line and ‘Ultimate’ line for Ultimate passes. Please have your ID and order number ready. The name on the order must match your ID (the last name is acceptable). You are not required to provide the card originally used for purchase. Don’t fret.

Box Office/Will Call Hours
(for 2022 event)

Friday………………..11:00 AM – 9:00 PM 
Saturday…………..11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday………………11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Do you offer layaway payment plans for Riot Fest tickets?

Ticket buyers with a PayPal account can pay for Riot Fest tickets over time using PayPal’s Pay In 4 option at checkout (via Eventbrite). Your total will be split between four bi-weekly payments, interest free — if purchasing through this method, you should receive your ticket confirmation(s) immediately.

Does one Ultimate Cabana ticket include entry for 25 guests?

Each Ultimate ticket purchase grants entry to the festival and into VIP, Deluxe and Ultimate areas, plus access for one person to a cabana. The cabanas hold up to 25 people, but each person needs their own Ultimate pass.

The cabanas are assigned in the order that Ultimate patrons arrive. That is to say, you will be assigned a cabana when you arrive, and the cabana will hold up to 25 people. If your party is under the 25-person limit, it is possible that other Ultimate patrons outside of your party will be assigned to your cabana too. There is plenty of room and accommodations for you all to enjoy the fest without intruding on one another.

Back to top

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What time do the bands play each day? Is there a schedule?

There is… and we even put it on a beer can. Build your Riot Fest schedule here!

What time do gates open each day?

Festival gates open 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 Douglass Park community members, re-entry is not permitted for GA pass holders. VIP, Deluxe, and Ultimate tickets permit re-entry; a GA pass will allow you to enter the grounds once each day listed on the ticket.

Do I have to enter Riot Fest before a certain time?

Nope. Gates will be open until the festival concludes each night—so if you work Friday, you can still make it to see your favorite band if you’re coming later!

Where can I put my stuff? Do you have lockers?

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

Is camping allowed at Riot Fest?

All attendees are to exit the premises at the end of each night. There are no camping areas, nor is it allowed on the festival grounds. Please do not camp. We are not in the woods.

I am an awesome parent. Can I bring my kid? Is Riot Fest all ages?

Hell yes, you can. 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.

Should I wear sunscreen?

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

What types of payment are accepted at Riot Fest?

Typically, cash and cards will be accepted onsite (but payment may vary by vendor). ATMs will be available across the festival grounds.

I live in Douglass Park. How do I get Riot Fest tickets?

Each year, we invite our Douglass Park neighbors to come out and enjoy Riot Fest, September 16–18, free of charge. We value community inclusion and want our neighbors to feel that Riot Fest is not only something they can take part in, but also be something they can be proud of. Details on eligibility and registration can be found below in the “Community” FAQ section.

Does Riot Fest use facial recognition?

No. Riot Fest does not and will never use facial recognition technology at their events. (We couldn’t afford it even if we wanted to.)

Back to top

HEALTH & SAFETY

At this time, Riot Fest does not have any Covid-related requirements for entry. All restrictions are currently lifted in the City of Chicago. However, this is subject to change. The safety of all patrons is our top priority, and we will continue to work in conjunction with city health officials to ensure we follow all appropriate guidelines. If any policies change, we will make announcements accordingly. For further information regarding Covid-19, please visit www.Chicago.gov.

MEDICINE / EQUIPMENT

Prescription medications are allowed at Riot Fest, as long as they’re in the original prescription bottle. 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.

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. Prescription quantity cannot exceed the prescribed amount needed while the patron is at the festival.

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.

If you have any other medical equipment, such as an oxygen tank, please be sure to present it at security when entering the festival.

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

Back to top

TRANSPORTATION

How do I get to Riot Fest?

We strongly suggest that fans 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.

Where can I park my bike ?

Bike parking, provided by Working Bikes, a local organization of bada$$es, will be available at 19th and California Ave. Check out our transportation guide for more info.

Riding The 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 in Douglass 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. (The total distance is only .71 miles!)

Riot Fest is actively working with the CTA to increase service and frequency to and from Douglass 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

Is there a map of the festival grounds?

YES! Take a look:

Back to top

IS IT ALLOWED AT RIOT FEST?

Your safety at Riot Fest is our utmost priority, and all guests and their belongings are subject to search. Any prohibited item that is surrendered to security at search points will not be returned.

Our Allowed / Not Allowed list is subject to change, and security reserves the right to make the final determination on allowed and not allowed items.

YES Blankets (But please, be courteous of other fest attendees and keep blankets out of pathways.)
YES Empty PLASTIC water bottle, ie. a Nalgene or similar reusable bottle. No metal, no glass.
YES Standard sized backpacks (like a school backpack), bags, and purses. They don’t have to be clear. We’re not Lollapalooza.
YES Non-professional cameras and digital cameras. No cameras with removable lenses.
YES Phone Chargers / Portable Phone Chargers
YES Strollers & soft-sided wagons
YES Air loungers (good luck getting comfy in one of those!)
YES Cell phones
YES Raincoats
YES Bug spray in NON-AEROSOL containers
YES Sunscreen in NON-AEROSOL containers
YES Hats
YES Earplugs
YES Crutches and other medically necessary devices, ie. Knee scooters
YES John Stamos
YES Prescription and OTC medications (subject to specific conditions*)
YES CamelBak-style water bladder systems (subject to specific conditions**)
YES Factory-sealed E-cigs (i.e., Blu, Juul, etc.) Refillable E-cigs and vape pens must be empty and juice refills are not allowed.
YES Breastfeeding pumps — We have an EMT/Medical tent and a Family tent available on-site, both of which have electric outlets and would provide a comfortable and secure area to pump. The Family tent will be located by the Information Booth, near the main entrance. A standard hard-sided cooler will not be permitted, however, a soft-sided insulated lunch box cooler bag should not be an issue.  If you have any trouble at the main entrance, please request a Supervisor and/or medical representative.

*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. Prescription quantity cannot exceed the prescribed amount needed while the patron is at the festival. 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.

**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.

NO Selfie Sticks
NO Laptops
NO Crying
NO Littering
NO Cantaloupe
NO Umbrellas
NO Motorized handheld fans (paper hand fans are allowed)
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 Eve 6
NO People who defend Eve 6 on Twitter
NO Hula Hoops
NO Illegal and Illicit substances of any kind
NO Chairs of any kind (except medical devices, obviously)
NO Totems/signs on poles
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! Yes, that includes glass bottles, genius!)
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 Native American headdresses
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 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.

I am vegan, or vegetarian, or have severe food allergies. What can I eat?

We host a variety of food vendors each year, with multiple vegetarian and vegan options. Here is a list of our food vendors from Riot Fest 2021 as an example (*denotes Vegetarian and/or Vegan options):

Novi’s Beef
Island Noodles*
Suzie’s Fun Foods LLC*
Cold Stone Creamery*
Bacci Pizzeria*
Don Pez Fish Tacos
Premier Catering & Events
Fro-Zen Smoothies*
Billy Goat Tavern
Dark Matter Coffee*
Taco In A Bag
Quang Noodle*
Lee Concessions*
Dumpling House*
Royal Ice Cream*
Reggies*
Harold’s Chicken
Adriana Escarcega Quesadillas*
Home Team Pizza*
Josephine’s Cooking
A&M Italian Ice*
Gold Coast Market
CoCo Crissi Italian Ice*

Back to top

RIOT FEST ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

Riot Fest believes everyone should feel safe during the music festival. We will help maintain this by not tolerating harmful behaviors, which may include non-consensual touching or verbal harassment. If a participant chooses to break these policies, they may be removed from the festival grounds and/or be banned from attending in the future. 

Riot Fest has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to: race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, citizenship, pregnancy.

Harassment includes but is not limited to: stalking, verbal or physical intimidation, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and/or battery, harassing or non-consensual photography or recording, bathroom policing, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome physical attention.

If someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, no matter how minor it may seem, please do not stay silent. You can report it to any Riot Fest staff member, including those stationed at our Info Booth or at the Our Music My Body tent. We’ll follow your lead, work with you, and do our best to prevent it from happening again—so that you can continue to feel safe at our festival.

Read our full Anti-Harassment Policy here, which includes written examples and scenarios of what isn’t acceptable behavior. 

Back to top

ACCESSIBILITY AT RIOT FEST

Riot Fest is committed to making the festival accessible for all festival attendees. We’re happy to offer accessible entrances, viewing platforms, and bathrooms, along with ramps around the curb lines of Douglass Park (in addition to existing sidewalk inclines). There is a drop-off & pick-up area, detailed below.

If you need any assistance entering the festival grounds, please notify security upon arriving and inform them of your needs. They’ll be able to help you access the festival once notified. Make sure to visit the Information booth post-entry—located near the main entrance—to get a wristband and receive further assistance onsite. There are outlets on the festival grounds for those who may need to charge equipment such as a powered wheelchair.

The festival grounds are wheelchair accessible. While there are paved pathways to use across the festival grounds, some travel across the festival grounds will be over natural terrain. Please note the possibility for mud or puddles if it rains. Those with trouble walking or standing should consider attending the festival with someone who can help navigate, or using an all-terrain wheelchair.

We want all Riot Fest attendees to have the best experience possible over the weekend. For anything that isn’t covered in this section, please contact us ahead of time with any questions or concerns at [email protected] with the subject line “Accessibility” so we can assist you.

DROP-OFF AND PICKUP

There will be a designated drop-off and pick-up lane on the corner of Ogden Ave and Sacramento Dr right by the main entrance.

ACCESSIBLE VIEWING PLATFORMS

We have elevated viewing platforms stationed by all of our main stages, each equipped with a ramp. Since space on these platforms is limited, please note that only one guest is allowed to accompany an attendee with an accessibility wristband, if needed. Please be sure to give yourself enough time to head to these viewing platforms early if you’re planning to see a headliner, as space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

SERVICE ANIMALS

Pets are not allowed inside the festival grounds, but we do allow trained service animals to accompany those with disabilities to Riot Fest. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) INTERPRETER REQUESTS

We’re here to make Riot Fest inclusive to those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Requests for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performances can be submitted to [email protected]RiotFest.org with the subject line “ASL Interpreter Request”. While we are unable to offer ASL interpreters for every performance, we will carefully review each request and assign interpreters based on demand.

Back to top

COMMUNITY

Since 2016, Riot Fest has called Douglass Park its home. We value community inclusion, and we want our neighbors to feel that Riot Fest is not only something they can take part in, but also be proud of. You can read a list of our community involvement highlights here.

Each year, we launch a series of community initiatives to support the Douglass Park / North Lawndale community, such as (but not limited to):

• Community Job Fairs: Multiple hiring events providing paid, temporary positions for locals to work the festival weekend
• Community Ticket Registration: Neighbors within a four-block radius of Douglass Park may register* for complimentary festival entry. Pre-registration is now closed but you can email [email protected] for more information on how to enter the festival.
• The Douglass Park Beautification Initiative: a series of volunteer park cleanups organized by the festival

You can read a list of our community involvement highlights here.

This year’s park cleanups took place on June 10, July 23, and August 4. Volunteers will be rewarded for their time with tickets to Riot Fest 2022. Community Ticket Registration and Job Fairs have also been hosted on these dates at the same location. Read all the details HERE.