Ditch the Flower Crown
Festival-goers here dress for comfort, not style bloggers. Opt for a t-shirt and jeans and remember that you can't go wrong with Doc Martens at a festival, especially since this one has been known to become a mud pit in the past.
Party in the Front, Business in the Back
Are you a cross-armed head bobber or a rager with not a lot of concern for your toes and limbs? It's largely a punk and metal fest, so before you stake out a spot in the crowd, consider the band and where you'd want to be in case of mosh pits and stage divers. Riot Fest brings out all ages: it's okay to show your age by chilling in the back.
A Family Affair
Don't let the barrage of senior citizen rock star headliners fool you: Riot Fest is for everyone. Expect parents with small kids, teenagers, Millennials, and old-timers.
Rest Up
No camping or 3 am sets makes for a well-rested crowd at this fest. It's in the middle of a city, which means strict sound curfews. At the end of the night, go home, take a shower, catch some z's, wake up, and do it all over again.
Download the App
Riot Fest’s app sends hilariously written and handy reminders of when your favorite acts play and where.
Getting There
For the Chicago Fest: Chicago Douglas Park is in the heart of Chicago. Land at O'Hare International Airport and take the I-290 toward Chicago. Riot Fest urges fans to either take public transportation, or ride a bicycle to Riot Fest (there are 10,000 bike parking spots at the festival). Luckily, The CTA Pink Line's California Ave. stop is just blocks away from the festival entrance, and is the most convenient route to the fest. If you must drive, Riot Fest urges attendees to respect Douglas Park residents and not park on residential streets surrounding the park.
Lodging
There is no on-site camping. However, Riot Fest has partnered with Curadora (a hotel-booking service) to help festival-goers find affordable accommodations.