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Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival 2024: Tips to Attend this Free SF Event in Golden Gate Park
by Jill Loeffler •
Head to Golden Gate Park for the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. This year, the free festival is October 4 - October 6.
All festivities are held near the Polo Field at Hellman Hollow (formerly Speedway Meadows), Lindley, and Marx Meadows.
Some top performers for this year include Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Bobby Rush, Greensky Bluegrass and Haley Heynderickx.
The Banjo Stage at Hardly Strickly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park. This free event attracts hundreds of thousands to the park every October.In addition to live music, there are more than 50 gourmet food and beverage vendors. You are also welcome to bring your own picnics.
Alcohol is not sold at this festival, although you are allowed to bring your own in as long as you follow the park rules.
The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival started in 2001 by SF venture capitalist Warren Hellman. When he started it, he planned to only invite bluegrass musicians.
However, more and more artists signed up and now you will find a variety of types of musicians on stage.
This three day festival is free and not commercial.
Make sure to arrive early as it often attracts more than 750,000 people in total over the course of the three days of live music.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
2024 Performers
Here is the list of some of the top Hardly Strictly Bluegrass performers for this year's 2024 festival.
Gates open at 11 am each day.
Performers on Friday, October 4
Music at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival on Friday runs from 1 pm to 7 pm. Top performers include Sleater-Kinney, Glen Hansard and Cat Power.
Banjo Stage
- 1 pm to 1:45 pm: Songs from the Gravel Road: Kelly Willis, Chuck Prophet, Ismay & Steve Earle
- 2:30 pm to 3:20 pm: Wonder Women of Country
- 4:05 pm to 5 pm: Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
- 5:50 pm to 7 pm: Glen Hansard
Swan Stage
- 1:05 pm to 1:55 pm: Jessica Pratt
- 2:45 pm to 3:20 pm: The Milk Carton Kids
- 4:45 pm to 5:55 pm: Sleater-Kinney
Towers of Gold
- 1:55 pm to 2:45 pm: Ibibio Sound Machine
- 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm: Devendra Banhart
- 5:55 pm to 7 pm: Cat Power Sings Dylan '66
Arrow Stage
- 1:45 pm to 2:30 pm: Lindsay Lou
- 3:20 to 4:05 pm: Charlie Overbey
- 5 pm to 5:50 pm: Sean McConnell
Horseshoe Hill
- 2:35 pm to 3:20 pm: Matt the Electrician
- 3:50 pm to 4:40 pm: VIV & Riley
- 6:05 pm to 6:55 pm: Sgt. Splendor
Performers on Saturday, October 5
Performances on Saturday run from 11 am to 7 pm. Top acts on stage on Saturday include Mavis Staple, Steve Earle, and Greensky Bluegrass.
Banjo Stage
- 11:10 am to 12 pm: Dry Branch Fire Squad
- 12:45 pm to 1:40 pm: Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands
- 2:20 pm to 3:20 pm: Alison Brown
- 4:05 pm to 4:55 pm: Mavis Staples
- 5:45 pm to 7 pm: Steve Earl featuring Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
Rooster Stage
11:30 am - 4:15 pm: Buddy Miller's Cavalcade of Stars
- 11:30 am to 11:50 am: The Red Dirt Boys
- 12 pm to 12:50 pm: Jobi Riccio
- 1 pm to 1:50 pm: Teddy Thompson
- 2 pm to 2:50 pm: Dom Flemons
- 3 pm to 4 pm: Carlene Carter
- 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm: Buddy Miller
6 pm to 7 pm: Jackie Greene & Anders Osborne
Swan Stage
- 11 am to 11:40 am: Levitation Room
- 12:25 pm to 1:15 pm: Fruition
- 2:05 pm to 2:55 pm: Robyn Hitchcock
- 3:50 pm to 4:50 pm: Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore with The Guilty Ones
- 5:55 pm to 7 pm: Greensky Bluegrass
Towers of Gold
- 11:40 am to 12:25 pm: Jon Lanford & The Far Forlorn
- 1:15 pm to 2:05 pm: Moonalice
- 2:55 pm to 3:50 pm: Haley Heynderickx
- 4:50 pm to 5:55 pm: Cunningham Bird
Arrow Stage
- 12 pm to 12:45 pm: Oakland Rising F: Melodious & Friends
- 1:35 pm to 2:20 pm: Marco and The Polos
- 3:15 pm to 4 pm: Sam Reider and The Human Hands
- 4:55 pm to 5:45 pm: Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band
Horseshoe Hill
- 11:40 am to 12:25 pm: Robyn Hitchcock Excerpt from "How I Got There & Why I Never Left"
- 1:15 pm to 2:05 pm: Nigel Wearne & The Spectres
- 2:55 pm to 3:45 pm: John Cooper Clarke
- 4:50 pm to 5:45 pm: Willi Carlisle
Performers on Sunday, October 6
The Horseshoe Hill Stage is the smallest at the festival, and it offers a more intimate setting among the trees.On Sunday, performers will be on stage from 11 pm to 7 pm. Top performers at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass on Sunday include Patti Smith, Emmylou Harris, and Alice Gerrard.
Banjo Stage
- 11:10 am to 12 pm: Chaparelle
- 12:45 pm to 1:35 pm: Tony Trischka's Earl Jam
- 2:20 pm to 3:05 pm: Bobby Rush
- 3:50 pm to 4:45 pm: Aoife O'Donovan with Hawktail & The San Francisco Girls Chorus
- 5:45 pm to 7 pm: Emmylou Harris
Rooster Stage
- 11 am to 11:45 am: Miko Marks
- 12:30 pm to 1:10 pm: Ramblin' Jack Elliott
- 1:50 pm to 3:15 pm: Songwriter Circle featuring Peter Case, Carsie Blanton, Teddy Thompson & Melissa Carper
- 3:55 pm to 4:45 pm: Brandy Clark
- 5:50 pm to 7 pm: The Infamous Stringdusters
Swan Stage
- 11 am to 11:40 am: The Bones of J.R. Jones
- 12:25 pm to 1:15 pm: James hunter
- 2:05 pm to 2:25 pm: Big Star Quintet's "Radio City" 50th Anniversary
- 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm: Yo La Tengo
- 5:55 pm to 7 pm: The Wood Brothers
Towers of Gold
- 11:40 am to 12:25 pm: Cedric Burnside
- 1:15 pm to 2:05 pm: AJ Lee & Blue Summit
- 2:55 pm to 3:45 pm: Dakhabrakha
- 4:50 to 5:55 pm: Patti Smith
Arrow Stage
- 12 pm to 12:45 pm: Combo Tezeta
- 1:35 pm to 2:20 pm: Jon Muq
- 3:05 pm to 3:50 pm: Wreckless Strangers
- 4:50 pm to 5:40 pm: Alice Gerrard
Horseshoe Hill
- 11:40 am to 12:25 pm; Raining Chainsaws with Mission Delirium
- 1:15 pm to 2:05 pm: Alisa Amador
- 2:55 pm to 3:45 pm: Ustad Noor Baksh
- 4:50 pm to 5:45 pm: Abby Posner
What Should You Wear?
You want to prepare for both sun and fog. This part of San Francisco is near the ocean and the weather is unpredictable.
I recommend dressing in layers so you can add and remove clothing as the day progresses.
Entrances to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Due to the size and number of attendees every year, there are four designated entrances to this event. Make sure to select that one you plan to use before finalizing your arrival plans.
- Entrance #1 - John F. Kennedy Drive and Traverse Drive: This is on the eastern side of the event and you will enter near the Banjo Stage. This is a great option if you are arriving by bike (it's near a bike parking area) or on the N via the Judah and 19th Avenue stop. You can also take the 5-Fulton to the 22nd Avenue stop to get to this entrance. Because of it's location, this is usually the busiest entrance at the festival. Prepare to wait at least 30 minutes if you arrive right before the start of the day.
- Entrance #2 - 30th Avenue & Fulton Path: This is on the northern end and is great if you are taking the 5-Fulton bus, which stops right at 30th and Fulton.
- Entrance #3 - John F. Kennedy Drive near 36th and Spreckels Lake: This is another good option for those arriving by bike as there is a bike stop nearby. It's also easy to access from the 5 at it's stop at 36th Avenue and Fulton.
- Entrance #4 - South Polo Field: This is the only southern entrance. It's a great option if you are coming from the Outer Sunset. You can also access it by taking the N to the Judah and 34th Avenue Stop. There is also bike parking at this entrance near 34th and Middle Drive.
Food & Drinks at the Festival
In 2024, there are five areas of food for the festival. There are also a lot of great vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options in each location.
Here are the five locations:
- #1, JFK: This near Entrance #1 and has just a handful of snacks.
- #2, JFK Flats: This one is located near the Banjo Stage just north of Hellman Hollow. Here you will find coffee, tea, burgers, Indonesian food, tacos, and some snacks.
- #3, Arrow Meadow: This is centrally located between the Banjo Stage and the Arrow Stage. It's just to the east of the Horseshoe Hill Stage. There are nine vendors here with items such as fish and chips, Nepalese dumplings, cheesecake, vegetarian sandwiches, empanadas, paella, ice cream, and ahi poke bowls.
These are more of the vendors at HSB. I took this right as the festival was starting, so expect lines once the music starts.- #4, JFK Trucks: This one is along John F. Kenney Drive on the north end of the festival just east of Lindley Meadow. Nine vendors are at this location serving curry, fried chicken sandwiches, kabobs, tacos, Cubano sandwiches, pizza, coffee, tea, ice cream, and other snacks.
- #5, Swan: This one is just to the west of the JFK food trucks and features six vendors. They will sell rice plats, smash burgers, Vietnamese noodles, smoothies, lamb gyros, and other snacks.
This event only sells non-alcoholic drinks. However, you are allowed to bring in your own alcohol. The park rules restrict hard alcohol and glass containers. You are allowed to bring in beer and wine in non-glass containers.
What Can You Bring In?
- Bags: Bags, backpacks and personal items are allowed, but must be no larger than 22" x 15" x 10". Anything larger than this is subject to additional searches
- Coolers: Soft sided coolers are allowed. Large and hard sided coolers are not allowed in the festival.
- Wagons: You can bring them as long as they are collapsible.
- Blankets: Any blankets up to 5' x 7' are allowed.
- Chairs: Only short backed chairs are allowed inside the event.
Everything you bring into the event is subject to search.
Other Tips to Attend the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
This is what the water stations look like at the Festival. There are two or three of these at both locations.- Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in all public parks in San Francisco.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed in the park during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. All dogs should be comfortable around large groups of people and with loud music. Also, please make sure you clean up after your dog.
- Children: This festival is family-friendly, so children are allowed to join in on the fun.
- Hotels: There are only a handful of small hotels near Golden Gate Park. Your best bet is to stay in Union Square, the Haight-Ashbury District or Alamo Square. If you are on a budget, here are some great cheaper options that are not only affordable but clean.
- ATMs: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is cashless. You can use credit and debit cards for all merchandise and food within the festival.
- Free Water: There are two water refill stations inside the event. One is located near the permanent bathrooms near Banjo Stage and Arrow Meadow. The other is at McClaren Pass which is between the Horseshoe Hill and Swan stages.
- Bathrooms: There are several portable restrooms throughout the festival. They usually have toilet paper in them, but at times they can run out so make sure to bring a little with you just in case.
Transportation Tips
By Bike: Biking to Golden Gate Park is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get here. The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival has several spaces set aside for bike parking. They no longer provide bike valet service.
By Public Transit: MUNI will run additional buses between 11 am and 8 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The cost per person per trip is $3 (or $2.50 with your Clipper Card).
- 5-Fulton Bus: To get to the park from downtown, there will be additional service on this route. Your best bet for a fast ride is to pick up the special 5R rapid bus at the corner of Market and Front Streets near the Embarcadero BART Station. Take this bus all the way to the 22nd, 30th, or 36th Avenue and Fulton Street stops.
- N Judah: Additional N Judah light rail trains will also run during the festival. Take it to the stop at 25th and Judah and make your way across Golden Gate Park to the festival. This one is usually crowded, but an easy way to get there from Union Square and downtown San Francisco.
By Car: Parking is extremely limited in the neighborhoods near the festival. I highly recommend that you take public transportation, bike or walk instead of driving. If you do plan on arriving by car, make sure you allow additional time to find a parking spot. You will also want to be cautious not to block driveways, as your car may be towed.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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