Stern Grove Festival San Francisco: 2026 Calendar & Tips to Attend This Popular Festival

This year the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco celebrates its 89th anniversary. The 2026 season runs every Sunday from June 14 to August 16.

The free concerts in the park are on Sundays at 2 pm during the summer months. The shows usually last two to three hours and are wildly popular.

In the past, you could just walk in. Now, you need to make reservations for entry, even though admission is still free, because capacity is strictly limited to 10,000 people.

This year, you can also pay for seating. You can either book a table for up to 10 people or you can buy a seat at a shared table.

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2026 Schedule

This year's schedule is just as impressive as last year's. Here are the artists set to perform this year.

Stern Grove is on the lottery system again this year, so I've included the dates the lottery opens for each performer. You can read more about how the lottery system works further down on the page.

• 6/14: Peter Cat Recording Co. with Marinero, lottery opens May 3
• 6/21: Bomba Estéreo with La Misa Negra, lottery opens May 10
• 6/28: Japanese Breakfast with DJ Evie Stokes, lottery opens May 17
• 7/5: Major Lazer with Fijiana and DJ Bad Juuju, lottery opens May 24
• 7/12: SF Symphony with Bela Fleck, lottery opens May 31
• 7/19: Charley Crockett with Nicki Bluhm, lottery opens June 7
• 7/26: Suki Waterhouse with DJ Cheryl Waters, lottery opens June 14
• 8/2: Violent Femmes with Tune-Yards, lottery opens June 21
• 8/9: Patti LaBelle with Destani Wolf, lottery opens June 28

The Big Picnic Weekend

• 8/15: Public Enemy with DJ Davey D, lottery opens July 4
• 8/16: Al Green with Goapele and The GLIDE Ensemble, lottery opens July 5

>> Visit their site to get tickets to upcoming performances

The Big Picnic Weekend

The Stern Grove Festival always ends its season with the Big Picnic Weekend. This is their annual fundraising finale, and this year it features Public Enemy on Saturday and Al Green, The GLIDE Ensemble, and Goapele on Sunday.

This two-day event is a great way to celebrate the last performances of this annual free concert series. 

This year, the Big Picnic is on August 15 & 16. 

More Details on Admission Options

The Stern Grove Festival is changing their ticketing system. It will allow you to get tickets in a few different ways.

Lottery System

Six weeks before each concert, you will have the opportunity to enter an online lottery for a chance to get tickets.

The lottery will be open for one week, so you will have plenty of time to get your name in. You can request up to four tickets.

They will then email you within a week of the lottery closing to let you know whether you got tickets.

You will then have 72 hours to claim those tickets. If you don't claim them within 72 hours, the tickets will be returned to a new lottery drawing.

As they release the tickets and wait for people to confirm or decline, they will continue sending out new ticket requests. Last year, I had one set of tickets come my way the Friday before the event. So, even if you missed the first round, make sure to keep checking your email to see if you end up getting tickets as they go through the list.

Community Box Offices

There is no information yet on the Community Box Offices. I'll update you once more information is available.

Volunteer with Stern Grove

You can volunteer to help with a show or two during the season. When you help out, you will receive two tickets to a future show of your choice. 

You can email them at volunteer@sterngrove.org for more details.

Partner Giveaways

Many of Stern Grove's community partners and sponsors will do free giveaways. Follow Stern Grove on social to learn more and find out when they will be doing giveaways.

Reserved Tables at Stern Grove

If you have a larger group and don't mind paying for this experience, you can also book one of their VIP or Community Tables.

The VIP Tables allow you to reserve seating for up to 10 people. 

The Community Tables allow you to reserve an individual seat at a shared table.

This new system allows for more people to pay for seating without the huge expense of only buying a table. Contact them at development@sterngrove.org for more details.

Food & Drinks at Stern Grove

Stern Grove offers food and drinks for sale before and during the event. This is their offerings:

• Tante's Concessions: They offer everything from grilled sausages to vegan dishes.
• Food Trucks: They will have a variety of food trucks this year. There will be 4 food trucks each week and the vendors will change each week. They will be found in the West Meadow.
• Bars: There are two bar locations this year. All proceeds will go directly to supporting the Stern Grove Festival.
• Bring Your Own Picnic: They also allow you to bring your own food and drinks to the festival. 

What to Bring

Since these concerts are free, there are very few amenities. Here are just a few of the items you will want to bring with you.

• Blanket or Camping Chairs: You won't find chairs or other seating, so I recommend bringing along something to sit on. They allow blankets that are no larger than 5 x 7 feet. You must use low-profile lawn chairs.
• Food & Drinks: There are plenty of food options on site, but you can also bring your own to enjoy during the concerts. 
• Alcohol: They will have a vendor that sells alcohol, but the park does allow you to bring your own beer and wine during the shows too. 
  
• Warm Jackets & Clothing: Since Stern Grove is closer to the Pacific Ocean, it does get cooler here. Make sure you bring along a jacket or wear warm clothing in case the temperatures are cool during the show. You want to be prepared for the wind, fog, and even a little sunshine.

Other Things You Need to Know

Since the concerts are crowded, here are just a few other things you need to know before you arrive.

• Reservations Required: They will do this again in 2026. The system has changed this year, so make sure to read through my ticketing information second on how to get tickets.
• Arrival Time: I recommend heading over to the shows early. The gates open at 12 pm. They only allow people with advanced registration in, but you will still want to go early to grab a seat as seats are still first come/first served. I typically arrive around 9:30 am to 10 am to get in line to wait. You have to arrive early in order to get some good seats.
• Senior and ADA seating: It is available, but it is also first come/first served, so you will want to be sure to get there as early as possible.
• Pets: No pets are allowed in this area of the park during the concerts. There are other areas open for pets, but they will not allow any within the concert seating area. Service animals are allowed.
  
• Personal Belongings: Make sure you keep an eye on your personal items at all times. It gets crowded (and is free!), so can attract people looking to pick up a few unattended items.

More Fun Things to Do Around SF

Other Popular Festivals This Summer

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival also offers free music and other cultural programs all summer long. Performances are held several days a week between May and October.

Union Street Festival: The Union Street Festival is typically the kick-off to SF's famous summer festival season. This lively Marina District event features live music, gourmet food, and dozens of merchant booths with unique arts and crafts. You will also find a premium craft beer and wine tasting pavilion.

North Beach Street Festival: Another popular SF Street Fair is the North Beach Street Festival. This one also features live music, amazing street food, and several fun activities for the kids.

Tips to Get To Stern Grove

Stern Grove Park is on the corner of 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard in the city's Outer Sunset neighborhood.

Your best bet is to take public transit, since parking is very limited in this part of the city.

From Union Square

Light Rail Trains: The fastest way to get here from Union Square is by taking either the M Ocean View or K Ingleside light rail trains. You can pick them up at the underground station at Powell and 5th Streets. Make sure you hop on an 'outbound' train.

• Stop: Take either of these to the stop at St. Francis Circle. You will then walk one block west to the park. There will be plenty of other people on these trains, so just follow the crowds.
• Timing: Allow for at least 35 to 40 minutes to get to the park.

From Fisherman's Wharf

F Streetcar: Take this streetcar to the Embarcadero Station at Market and Drumm Streets.

• Light Rail Train: Head to the underground Embarcadero Station on this corner. Take either the M or K (outbound) trains to the St. Francis Circle stop. Walk one block west to the park.
• Timing: Allow at least 50 minutes to an hour to get here from Fisherman's Wharf

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