2023 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass: Saturday Lineup (Golden Gate Park)
Hellman Hollow | John F. Kennedy Drive and Transverse Drive, San Francisco, CA
Free / Learn More
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2023 in Golden Gate Park (Sept. 29 – Oct. 1)
One of the largest, free-est and beloved music festivals in the country. Be one of over 750,000 attendees over the three-day musical extravaganza in beautiful Golden Gate Park. Save the date as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass makes its return for 2023.
Highlights for 2023 include Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Church, Beth Orton, Chuck Prophet, Kurt Vile, Vetiver, Rufus Wainwright, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and many more.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2023
Friday- Sunday, September 29 – October 1, 2023
Six Stages, Three Days, 80+ artists
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
FREE
- Friday – 1-7p (gates open at 11a)
- Saturday – 11a-7p (gates open at 9a)
- Sunday – 11a-7p (gates open at 9a)
Full Day-by-Day Schedule | Lineup | Festival Map | Food Vendor Map
2023 LINEUP + SCHEDULE
The full day-by-day schedule was announced on September 19th with Friday hosting five stages starting at 1pm.
Friday 2023 Highlights
- Della Mae – Banjo Stage – 1p
- Vetiver – Swan Stage – 1:45p
- Shakey Graves – Swan Stage – 5:05p
- Dawes – Tower of Gold Stage – 6pm
Saturday 2023 Highlights
- Buddy Miller’s Cavalcade of Stars – Rooster Stage – 12:15-5:15p
- Jimmie Dale Gilmore – Banjo Stage – 2:20p
- Rickie Lee Jones – Banjo Stage – 4p
- Steve Earle – Banjo Stage – 5:45p
- The Church – Swan Stage – 5:55p
Sunday 2023 Highlights
- She She She – Swan Stage – 11a
- Chuck Prophet – Rooster Stage – 1:35p
- Beth Orton – Rooster Stage – 3:05p
- Rufus Wainwright – Banjo Stage – 4:15p
- M. Ward – Rooster Stage – 4:35p
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Towers of Gold Stage – 4:45p
- Emmylou Harris – Banjo Stage – 5:45p
- Kurt Vile – Swan Stage – 5:55p
View this post on Instagram
LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENTS
September 12th Full Lineup Announcement (FINAL LINEUP ADDITIONS)
- Bettye LaVette
- Big Richard
- Buddy Miller
- Cassandra Lewis
- Dawes,
- deadramones,
- Della Mae
- Dry Branch Fire Squad
- The Go To Hell Man Band
- The Jerry Douglas Band
- Jimmie Dale Gilmore & The West Texas Exiles
- Jon Langford & The Bright Shiners
- Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands
- Lila Blue, Marco and the Polos
- The McCrary Sisters
- Never Come Down
- New Monsoon
- Olivia Wolf
- Peter Rowan
- Purple Glaze
- Shawn Camp & Verlon Thompson-Tribute to Guy Clark
- Skyway Man
- Sunny War
- Taylor McCall
- Tommy Emmanuel
- Vetiver
- Orchestra Gold
- Raining Chainsaws.
September 5th Lineup Announcement
- Emmylou Harris
- The Teskey Brothers
- M. Ward
- Shakey Graves
- Bombino
- Syd Straw
- Hermanos Gutierrez
- The Third Mind
- Eilen Jewell,
- The SticklerPhonics
August 22nd Lineup Announcement
- Steve Earle
- Thee Sacred Souls
- The Heavy Heavy
- Sierra Hull
- Dustbowl Revival
- Brennen Leigh
- Rufus Wainwright
- Margo Cilker
- Say She She
- Irma Thomas
August 16th – Bonus Lineup Announcement
- Rickie Lee Jones – Her very first appearance at HSB.
- City Lights Poetry with Tongo Eisen-Martin
- Kim Addonizio
- Evan Kennedy
August 9th Lineup Announcement
- Kurt Vile & The Violators
- Lilly Hiatt
- Nora Brown w/Stephanie Coleman
- Lucero
- The Travelin’ McCourys
- Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express
- Buffalo Nichols
- Beth Orton
- Mighty Poplar
- Carrie Rodriguez
July 25th Lineup Announcement
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
- Leyla McCalla
- The Church
- John Doe Folk Trio
- Valerie June
- Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
- John Craigie
- Neal Francis
- Bahamas
- Gaby Moreno
When is the next lineup hint? tune in September 5th to enjoy new medleys, each of which will showcase additional artists performing at HSB 2023.
Only the dates are confirmed. Lineups, schedules and full details coming later this summer to @hardlystrictlybluegrass
FAQ (Do’s/Dont’s) | Venue Info | Parking / Getting There / Rideshare Locations
When / Where is Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
When: Fri Sep 29, Sat Sep 30, and Sun Oct 1, 2023.
Where: Hellman Hollow, Lindley & Marx meadows in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA. Festival MapWhat Time Does Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Open?
- 11AM entry to the meadows on Friday Morning.
- 9AM entry on Saturday and Sunday.
2023 Festival Updates – New Layout and Updated Stages
The Arrow Stage will return to the grounds for 2023 at the west end of Hellman Hollow. The stage formerly known as Porch has been relocated to the west end of Hellman Hollow and is now the Arrow Stage. With a nod to the festival’s past and a design that preserves the tradition of letting bands perform in intimate environments, the Arrow Stage is slightly bigger than Porch, but will be set lower to maintain the close-knit atmosphere.
The Bandwagon Stage has moved and is now the Horseshoe Hill Stage. McClaren Pass where the San Francisco Parks & Recreation gardeners were already making improvements to the plateau, enriching the lawn area is a perfect environment for a new performance space. This new stage, nestled in a wooded glade and dubbed Horseshoe Hill, will provide a cozy atmosphere for both performer and listener.2023 Festival Map
2023 Stages
- Rooster Stage
- Banjo Stage
- Towers of Gold Stage
- Swan Stage
- Horseshoe Hill Stage – New for 2023! (formerly the Bandwagon Stage, but moved to a more intimate setting)
- Arrow Stage – Back for 2023 for the first time since 2016
- Porch Meadow (we’re not sure if this is a stage for 2023 or not. It’s on the map, but the press release hints that this might not have music anymore given the new festival “layout”)
Where are the Entrances for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2023?
There are four entrances to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass for 2023. All attendees must go through a security checkpoint with metal detectors
- JFK & Transverse Drive
- Fulton and 30th Ave.
- JFK and 36th Ave.
- South Polo Field (just south of Spreckles Lake)
How to prepare for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2023:
The following items are allowed:
- Backpacks and clear insulated bags no larger than 22″ x 15″ x 10″
- Small bags, fanny packs and purses smaller than 6” x 8” x 3”
- 2.5 liter or smaller hydration bladders or packs, refillable water bottles
- Small soft side cooler for medical or childcare needs 9” x 6” x 3”
The following are not allowed:
- Large bags or hard-sided coolers
- Large lounge chairs (respect your neighbors)
- Cases of beverages (this pertains to alcohol, soft drinks and water)
- Camping in Golden Gate Park
In addition:
- Free water refills will be available between Banjo Stage and Arrow Meadow
- All attendees will go through a security checkpoint with metal detectors
View this post on Instagram
Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.
Cost: FREE
Categories: *Top Pick*, Fairs & Festivals, In Person, Live Music, Outdoors, Weekend Events Guide - September 29-October 1, 2023
