Chicago’s favorite punk and rock festival is back for another year. Riot Fest 2026 will bring together a wild mix of legendary bands and new artists from September 18 to 20 at Douglass Park in Chicago, Illinois. The festival just dropped its full lineup, and it includes big names like Tool, Rise Against, Nas, Alanis Morissette, Twenty One Pilots, and Morrissey.
A Stacked Lineup Across Three Days
The 2026 edition marks the festival’s 21st year. Organizers put together over 100 bands that span different genres and generations. The headliners for this year include Tool, Twenty One Pilots, Pierce The Veil, and Alanis Morissette. Some of these acts are playing Riot Fest for the first time ever.
Rise Against returns to the Chicago festival, bringing their high-energy punk sound that fits perfectly with Riot Fest’s roots. Nas adds a hip-hop flavor to the mix, showing how the festival continues to bring in artists from outside the punk and rock world.
The full artist list includes:
- 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
- Public Image LTD
- Insane Clown Posse
- GWAR
- Afroman
- The Chats
- Violet Grohl
Surprise Additions and Festival Drama
The lineup comes with some unexpected turns. Both Sex Pistols (with Frank Carter on vocals) and John Lydon’s Public Image LTD are scheduled to perform. This is notable because Lydon and Carter have an ongoing public disagreement. Festival organizers putting both acts on the same bill has people talking about what might happen if they play the same day.
Morrissey returns to Riot Fest ten years after his famous 2016 performance where he requested a meat ban at the festival grounds before his set. The former Smiths singer remains one of the most talked-about figures in alternative music.
Violet Grohl, daughter of Dave Grohl, will make her Chicago solo debut at the festival. She joins a lineup that also features Bob Mould’s Sugar, who is playing their first shows together after a 30-year break.
Chicago Bands Take the Stage
Riot Fest always makes room for local talent. This year’s lineup includes several Chicago-area bands. Rise Against and Alkaline Trio are both from the Chicago punk scene. Twin Peaks, another Chicago band, will play after finishing an eight-night run at Thalia Hall. Other local acts include Sincere Engineer, Worry Club, and Almost There But Not Really.
Ticket Options and Pricing
Three-day passes are on sale now through the festival’s official website. Ticket options include:
- General Admission (3-Day): $339.98
- VIP (3-Day): $449.98
- Deluxe (3-Day): $959.98 (includes open bar and extra perks)
- Deluxe+ (3-Day): $1,669.98
The festival takes place at Douglass Park, located at 1401 S. Sacramento Drive in Chicago. The main entrance is at the corner of Ogden Avenue and Sacramento.
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What Makes Riot Fest Different
Riot Fest started in 2005 and has grown into one of the most respected independent music festivals in the country. Unlike many other festivals that stick to one genre, Riot Fest mixes punk, rock, metal, hip-hop, and alternative music across its multiple stages. The festival is also known for bringing back bands for reunion shows and booking acts that other festivals overlook.
Last year’s 20th anniversary festival featured Blink-182, Green Day, Weezer, and Jack White, with John Stamos making a surprise appearance on stage. This year’s lineup continues the tradition of mixing huge headliners with underground favorites.
WGN’s Tom Skilling will be at the festival to deliver the weather forecast in person, a fun tradition that fans look forward to each year.
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