MotoblotNext edition TBA · Illinois
The largest vintage motorcycle and scooter rally in the United States, held annually in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood on Halsted Street from 35th to 37th Street, anchored by the Ramova Theater (3520 S. Halsted St). Running since 2014 (with a 2020 hiatus), Motoblot draws approximately 20,000 attendees over three days with over three dozen punk, rock, and psychobilly bands, motorcycle and hot rod shows, custom builder competitions, and a pin-up invitational. Produced by MOTOBLOT LLC (Larry Fletcher, Martin Cimek) and co-produced by Riot Fest founder Sean McKeough.
Ranked as the largest vintage motorcycle and scooter rally in the United States, Motoblot packs a Chicago city block with a genuine ride-in bike show, custom builder competition, and roughly 40 live bands across a June weekend — all free to enter if you register your machine.
Motoblot started in 2014, growing out of an earlier Chicago gathering called Mods vs Rockers. It runs for three days each June on Halsted Street in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood, anchored by the Ramova Theater at 3520 S. Halsted — a 1,800-seat venue built in 1929 and restored and reopened in 2023. Around 20,000 people attend across the weekend, with riders coming from across the Chicago metro and the broader Midwest.
The core of the event for riders is Gasoline Alley, the ride-in motorcycle and hot rod street show where registered bikes compete for trophies across 16 categories ranging from vintage to modern to custom. The Valhalla Custom Motorcycle Builders Showcase runs alongside it for builders. Music fills two outdoor stages with punk, rockabilly, psychobilly, and heavy metal acts. A biker-themed film festival plays at the Ramova Theater, and the pin-up invitational rounds out the weekend's programming.
Bikes registered in advance can be left overnight Saturday with 24-hour security on site — though the organizers note they do not assume responsibility for lost or stolen property. The event runs rain or shine, and tickets are structured as a suggested donation.
Shot by the riders who've run it.
Riders upload photos to their profile and tag the road or stop — tagged shots show up here automatically.