Riot Fest returns to Chicago’s Douglass Park from 18–20 September 2026 with another characteristically unpredictable lineup.

Twenty One Pilots, Tool and Pierce The Veil lead the three days, but the festival stretches far beyond straightforward rock.

Riot Fest Friday lineup

Twenty One Pilots headline Friday 18 September.

They are joined by Iggy Pop, Rise Against, Pixies, Alkaline Trio, The All-American Rejects, Sex Pistols, Santigold, Motion City Soundtrack, Joey Valence & Brae, Tricky, 3OH!3, GWAR and Slick Rick.

Even that single day illustrates Riot Fest’s refusal to stay inside one genre.

Riot Fest Saturday lineup

Tool lead Saturday alongside Morrissey and Nas.

Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Sugar, Bright Eyes, Descendents, Gogol Bordello, PUP, Thrice, Less Than Jake, Afroman, The Chats, Yard Act and Chat Pile also appear.

Nas appearing between major alternative and punk acts is precisely the sort of booking that keeps Riot Fest interesting.

Riot Fest Sunday lineup

Pierce The Veil top Sunday’s bill alongside Alanis Morissette and Elvis Costello.

Patti Smith and Her Band, Taking Back Sunday, Insane Clown Posse, Pennywise, The Beths, Mom Jeans, Bowling For Soup and The Format are also scheduled.

When is Riot Fest 2026?

Riot Fest takes place from 18–20 September 2026 at Douglass Park in Chicago.

Twenty One Pilots, Tool, Pierce The Veil, Iggy Pop, Alanis Morissette, Nas and Elvis Costello might sound like artists selected from completely different festival posters.

At Riot Fest, that’s largely the point.