We’re a few days behind on sharing some Chicago-centric news about the legendary Riot Fest, but what can we say? Busy times (and we still think Riot Fest should’ve made that move to Bridgeview).
Fresh off its 20th anniversary, the Chicago institution returns to Douglass Park Sept. 18-20 with a lineup spanning punk, alternative, hip-hop, indie rock, metal, and just about everything in between.
TOOL, TWENTY ONE PILOTS, PIERCE THE VEIL, ALANIS MORISSETTE, MORRISSEY, IGGY POP, ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS, PIXIES, RISE AGAINST, ALKALINE TRIO, THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, NAS, PATTI SMITH & HER BAND, SUGAR, SOCIAL DISTORTION, BAD RELIGION, SEX PISTOLS, BRIGHT EYES, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, and DESCENDENTS headline a bill that balances legendary names with a new generation of artists carrying the torch forward.
The undercard remains equally stacked with THRICE, PENNYWISE, LESS THAN JAKE, BOWLING FOR SOUP, GWAR, THE SUICIDE MACHINES, MARIAHI EL BRONX, GOOD RIDDANCE, GUTTERMOUTH, THE CHATS, STRIKE ANYWHERE, SOUL GLO, THE BETHS, PUP, MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK, BAYSIDE, and dozens more spanning multiple corners of the alternative music world.
As always, Riot Fest offers more than music. Carnival rides, games, food vendors, immersive attractions, and the festival’s signature brand of organized chaos return alongside the performances.
One familiar face also returns to the festivities. After becoming an unexpected fan favorite during last year’s weather-related moments, Chicago weather legend Tom Skilling will make an in-person appearance to deliver forecasts on-site.
Beyond the stages, Riot Fest continues its community-focused initiatives through local vendor workshops, paid internships, neighborhood events, beautification projects, and opportunities for Douglass Park residents to attend the festival free of charge.
For longtime attendees, Riot Fest remains one of the few places where punk legends, alternative icons, hip-hop pioneers, and rising artists share the same bill. For everyone else, it’s three days of loud music, strange surprises, and one of the most uniquely Chicago events on the calendar.
Riot Fest 2026 Full Lineup
TOOL, TWENTY ONE PILOTS, PIERCE THE VEIL, ALANIS MORISSETTE, MORRISSEY, IGGY POP, ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS, PIXIES, RISE AGAINST, ALKALINE TRIO, THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, NAS, PATTI SMITH & HER BAND, SUGAR, SOCIAL DISTORTION, BAD RELIGION, SEX PISTOLS, TWIN PEAKS, BRIGHT EYES, THE FORMAT, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, PENNYWISE, DESCENDENTS, THE BETHS, SANTIGOLD, GOGOL BORDELLO, PUBLIC IMAGE LTD, TRICKY, ANGINE DE POITRINE, INSANE CLOWN POSSE, MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK, MOM JEANS, JOEY VALENCE & BRAE, BAYSIDE, PUP, 3OH!3, CARTEL, THRICE, LESS THAN JAKE, BOWLING FOR SOUP, GWAR, THE SUICIDE MACHINES, BRIAN FALLON & THE PAINKILLERS, MARIACHI EL BRONX, BRATMOBILE, PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES, GOOD RIDDANCE, GUTTERMOUTH, THIS IS LORELI, SLICK RICK, AFROMAN, THE CHATS, FLESHWATER, YARD ACT, SINCERE ENGINEER, THE PARADOX, DESTROY BOYS, ARM’S LENGTH, JEJUNE, CHAT PILE, STRIKE ANYWHERE, JMSN, SHOW ME THE BODY, HAYWIRE, DEAD TO ME, THE FLATLINERS, VIOLET GROHL, FOXY SHAZAM, SATURDAYS AT YOUR PLACE, ALGERNON CADWALADER, MELT-BANANA, DAISY GRENADA, VANA, DEATHBYROMY, PANIC SHACK, FRANKIE AND THE WITCH FINGERS, WORRY CLUB, DIVISION MINUSCULA, BEN QUAD, DEADLETTER, TEEN MORTGAGE, HOLDING ABSENCE, WHISPERS, SOUL GLO, GURRIERS, PLOSIVS, STOMACH BOOK, BURNING AIRLINES, MACSEAL, SLOTHRUST, GLIXEN, THE CALLOUS DAOBOYS, GREET DEATH, REMEMBER SPORTS, NOBRO, KIWI JR., MURPHY’S LAW, CARDINALS, IRON ROSES, ASAVA, AIM HIGH, and ALMOST THERE BUT NOT REALLY.
