Riot Fest Announces 20th Anniversary Lineup
Riot Fest is returning to Chicago for their 20th anniversary the weekend of September 19–21. Just this morning they announced their lineup, and it’s a heavy hitter. Headliners include Blink-182, Weezer, Jack White, and Green Day.
Fun for Everyone
The Sex Pistols, Idles, and Rilo Kiley also top the 20th anniversary lineup. Other big names include Alkaline Trio, The Hold Steady, Bad Religion, and Dropkick Murphys. Though it’s mostly a punk and hardcore festival, there’s really something for everyone here. Need a break from moshing midday? You’ve got The Beach Boys, Weird Al Yankovich, and Hanson. For the rap and hip hop fans, you can tune into Rico Nasty or the Gym Class Heroes.
Other confirmed acts Jawbreaker, Sparks, Knocked Loose, All Time Low, The Damned, The Front Bottoms, Inhaler, The Linda Lindas, Knuckle Puck, The Wonder Years, Helmet, Marky Ramone Plays The Ramones, and more more still to be announced.
The artist drop comes soon after the announcement of the Chicago Park District’s decision earlier this month, after many years of debate, to grant Riot Fest a three-year deal to carry on in Douglass Park. The decision is expected to generate more than $3 million for the district.
Riot Fest has long been the object of frustration for neighbors. Year after year, complaints of parking frustrations, noise concerns, traffic congestion, and more caused by the festival piled in from locals. Last year a move to Seatgeek Stadium was announce, but months later organizers rescinded and were able to move the festival back to Douglass Park. District representatives say they’ve held more than 60 meetings with community stakeholders since last year’s festival. Under this multi-year agreement, the Chicago Park District will pilot a 30% give-back policy for Douglass Park, approximately $1 million to fund improvements at the park. It also comes with a possibility for a two-year extension.
What are the benefits to the community?
The Riot Fest multi-year agreement includes significant community benefits, including up to $4.5 million in revenue that supports park programs citywide, of which an approximate $1 million give back in capital investment will be made in Douglass Park, to be allocated via a participatory budgeting process. Regarding the give-back, in addition to the permit fee, Riot Fest will fund a 10% give-back to capital improvements in Douglass Park. Separately, the Park District will pilot an increase of its 10% give-back policy to 20% for this event at Douglass Park. As a result, Douglass Park will receive a 30% give-back in total, which is three times the allocation of last year’s festival. The Park District also announced the pilot of its first-ever participatory budgeting process to give community members input on how the give back will be spent.
Additionally, Riot Fest will provide the following community benefits:
Complimentary Tickets – 100 multi-day GA tickets (or equivalent) valued at $30,000 each year for Park District use (e.g., to raffle for summer program funds).
“Beyond the Fest” Year-Round Community Engagement & Investment
Complimentary Tickets
Local Jobs
Food & Nonprofit Vendor Booths
Event Sponsorship
Paid Internship Program
Scholarships
Hospital Safety Programs
Vendor workshops
Local Artists & Musician Support
Tickets to Riot Fest 2025, including 3-Day GA, VIP, Deluxe, and Deluxe+, are now on sale.
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[…] including Weezer, Alkaline Trio, and The Front Bottoms, playing albums in full. As previously reported, the fest just unveiled its stacked 2025 lineup, headlined by Green Day, blink-182, Jack White, and […]