Riot Fest: GWAR

The best of Riot Fest Chicago 2012 (in photos)

On the final weekend of the summer, Chicago’s Humboldt Park hosted the city’s eighth annual Riot Fest, the punk-, rock-, and hardcore-filled festival that has since branched to Brooklyn, Toronto, and Dallas. This year’s installment was special for more than its consolidated location in the park; it also boasted a brand-new carnival — featuring a Ferris wheel, funnel cake, and impossible-to-win prize games — to enjoy between sets.

Riot Fest and Carnival Chicago 2012

ALARM’s must-see sets for Riot Fest Chicago 2012

For its eighth installment, Chicago’s punk- and hardcore-centered Riot Fest decided to go big, adding stops in Brooklyn, Toronto, and Dallas and expanding its Windy City weekend to include an outdoor carnival. Though tickets are almost gone, you still can grab two-day passes for Saturday and Sunday in Humboldt Park or buy single-day tickets for those two dates.

Here are our picks for the weekend. Rain isn’t in the forecast, but bring your poncho for GWAR either way.

Fourth Annual Rock to Roll Charity Event announced Dec. 3 at Slim’s in San Francisco

Featuring performances from NOFX, Wax, Dead to Me, and Nathan Maxwell & the Original Bunny Gang, the fourth annual Rock to Roll Charity Event, spearheaded by SideOneDummy co-founder Joe Sib, promises a great time while raising money for a great cause.

UCP WHEELS FOR HUMANITY, is a fantastic organization that provides wheelchairs for disadvantaged children and adults around the world. If you’re near San Francisco on December 3, head to Slim’s and check it out!