Riot Fest 2025: Schedule, lineup, how to get there and more you need to know this year
Riot Fest 2025 has begun. Here's all you need to know, from the schedule to the best way to get to Douglass Park for the music festival's 20th anniversary.
Riot Fest is held in Douglass Park in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood from Friday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 21.
The festival usually draws about 50,000 people, organizers said, though the number may be a little higher this year thanks to some big headliners taking the stage.
Marcus Betts, who works with Riot Fest and promotes community engagement said the stages will be packed and there's something for everyone on the grounds.
"We've got the 40-plus Double Dutch group, which is women 40 and up, jumping Double Dutch, talking about women's health, teaching anybody and everybody how to jump Double Dutch, bringing the playground experience to punk rock," he said.
"It's a huge community of a wild array of people all walks of life, but we're all here to have a good time and to be supportive," said festivalgoer Miranda Smith.
Riot Fest is contracted to stay in Douglass Park for another two years, with an option to extend the deal for another two years after that. Festival organizers said it's likely they'll stick around through 2029.
Riot Fest schedule and headliners
For its 20th year, Riot Fest pulled on the nostalgic heartstrings of its audience. Headliners include "Weird Al" Yankovic and Blink-182 on Friday, Weezer and Jack White on Saturday, and Green Day and Idles on Sunday.
Other notable acts on the lineup include Alkaline Trio, Rilo Kiley, The Hold Steady, The Pogues, All Time Low, the Beach Boys with John Stamos, Dropkick Murphys, Jawbreaker and Bad Religion.
Some bands are also doing full-album play sets including Weezer performing "The Blue Album," Alkaline Trio performing "Maybe I'll Catch Fire," Bad Religion performing "Suffer," the Bouncing Souls performing "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" and Sex Pistols performing "Never Mind the Bollocks."
Day-by-day schedules are on the Riot Fest website.
Are tickets still available?
Three-day general admission passes are sold out but there are single day and two-day passes at all admission levels still for sale at the Riot Fest website Additionally, there are also three-day VIP, Deluxe and Deluxe+ passes still available.
Re-entry is not allowed for general admission tickets. VIP, deluxe and deluxe+ tickets all permit reentry.
Riot Fest opening times, directions and transportation information
Riot Fest is held in North Lawndale's Douglass Park. The main entrance is at the intersection of South Sacramento Boulevard and West Ogden Boulevard.
Gates open every day at 11 a.m. and set times end at 10 p.m. to honor the city's curfew.
Taking CTA to Riot Fest is strongly encouraged. The closest stop is the California Pink Line stop. The park is also accessible by several bus lines, including the 94 California bus.
Bike parking is also available if you ride your bike.
Parking for cars is limited and the park is located in a largely residential neighborhood, so Riot Fest organizers encourage using public transit to help respect the festival's neighbors. There is an official parking lot that is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 1200 S. Campbell Avenue and costs $40 for vehicles. Overnight parking is not allowed.
Click here for more information and for a list of items prohibited at the festival.