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Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco 2026: One of the Most Popular Music Events in SF
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: February 25, 2026
The highly anticipated annual Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco will take place from August 7 to 9, 2026, on the western side of the city in beautiful Golden Gate Park.
Headliners for OSL 2026 are TBD.
Last year's headliners were Tyler, The Creator, Hozier, and Doja Cat, as well as John Summit, Vampire Weekend, and Glass Animals.
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OSL 2025 Performers (Stay Tuned for 2026)
Around 70 bands will perform at the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival again this year.
Here is a list of performers by day.
Friday, August 7
- TBD
Saturday, August 8
- TBD
Sunday, August 9
- TBD
OSL 2026 Dates & Times
Friday, August 7
- Gates open at 11 am
- Music lasts from 12 pm (noon) to 10 pm
Saturday, August 8
- Gates open at 11 am
- Music from 12 pm (noon) to 10 pm
Sunday, August 9
- Gates open at 11 am
- Music from 12 pm (noon) to 9:40 pm
Other Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival Details 2026
Here is some of what you can expect again in 2026.
Taste of the Bay Area
The Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco draws several high-end restaurants and food trucks to the park. You can find everything from classic grilled cheese sandwiches to Malaysian nachos.
This year, there are more than 90 restaurants. Each one offers their two to three most popular dishes.
Additionally, this year features areas dedicated to chocolate (Choco Lands) and cheese (Cheese Lands).
Here are just some of the vendors you will find at the Outside Lands Festival.
- TBD
Wine Lands
This year's Wine Lands area will include about 100 wines. The list includes tasty wines. Here are just a few that plan to be there this year.
- TBD
Beer Lands
You will also find some of the best craft beers on the West Coast. In total, around 30 breweries are already signed up to serve their frosty concoctions.
Local breweries, including Black Hammer and Bear Republic, will have their beers available for sale. You can also find others from Laughing Monk, North Coast Brewing, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Other Entertainment Areas
Here are some additional entertainment areas this year:
- Dolores': This is a dance club located in the Polo Field that celebrates the queer and trans communities.
- Duboce Triangle: Escape to this stage nestled in a shady eucalyptus grove for more intimate performances.
- SOMA: This is an open-air destination for house and techno music.
- Cocktail Magic: Here you can enjoy one-of-a-kind cocktails in specialty themed bars.
- Grass Lands: This area offers a curated cannabis experience—the first of its kind at a major US music festival.
Outside Lands Weather
What should you expect from the weather during the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco? The weather in August on the western side of San Francisco can be tricky. It's one of our foggiest months, which also usually includes quite a bit of wind.
Last year, even the performers were taken aback by how chilly it was during the festival.
If you plan to stay all day, it's advisable to wear layers. I recommend long pants with a medium-length shirt or a long-sleeved shirt. In addition, I would bring a jacket or sweater to throw on over that as it cools down into the evening.
>> Find additional tips for preparing for the weather this August in SF
More Tips to Enjoy the Festival
With thousands of people attending, you will want to either grab a hotel near the park or find a good route via public transit. Here are a few details to help you make a decision.
Hotel Options
There are very few hotel options right next to the park. If you want to stay close by, you will find a few options in the Haight-Ashbury District or near Ocean Beach.
Your next best option is to stay near the city center, where you can easily catch public transit to the festival. Click the links below to find recommendations located in the heart of the city.
Getting Here
The festival is located in three areas of the park, between the Outer Richmond District (to the north) and the Outer Sunset (to the south): Polo Field, Hellman Hollow, and Lindley Meadow.
Here is a map showing the Outside Lands location.
Driving: There is VERY limited parking in the area during this event. If you need to bring a car into the city, I'd find a parking garage in another neighborhood (Union Square or Civic Center) and use public transit to get to the event. This will save you a lot of time and hassle (unless you arrive hours before the gates open or don't mind walking a mile or more to the park).
Public Transit: Your two best public transit options are the N-Judah and the 5-Fulton.
- N-Judah Light Rail: The N-Judah is the fastest way to get here from Union Square or downtown San Francisco. Take it all the way to the 25th Avenue & Judah stop. If you aren't sure which stop you are at, just get off the train with the rest of the crowd.
- 5-Fulton: The 5-Fulton will take a little more time, but it drops you closer to the gates. Take it all the way to the 30th or 36th Avenue stops. Both stops provide access to the park and are conveniently located near the gates.
- Special Trains and Buses: Each year, MUNI also offers express trains (designated as "X" or "L") and buses. Look for special NX Judah Express or 5L Fulton Limited buses. Both offer fewer stops to get people to and from the festival faster.
More About Golden Gate Park
If you decide you need to take a break from the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco, you can check out some of the other great attractions and activities in our massive Golden Gate Park.
These include everything from the wildly popular California Academy of Sciences to Ocean Beach. Discover more things to see and do here.
History of Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco
The Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco got its start in the summer of 2008. The name comes from the location of the festival.
This area was referred to as the "Outside Lands" in the early 19th Century, as the neighborhoods were inaccessible and mostly covered in sand dunes.
In the first year, some of the headliners included internationally recognized bands such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Radiohead, Beck, and The Black Keys.
Even in its first year, it attracted between 40,000 and 60,000 attendees each day.
The event has grown in popularity over the years, and tickets are almost always sold out!
More Fun Things to Do in August
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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