Golden Gate Park’s Free Bandshell Kids Music Festival (SF)

Live music returns to the Golden Gate Bandshell’s iconic stage with another season of free outdoor performances in Golden Gate Park starting Wednesday, March 2, 2022, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, San Francisco Parks Alliance and the arts nonprofit Illuminate recently announced.

The Lift Every Voice performance series, presented by Illuminate, will offer more than 100 free shows in GGP’s Music Concourse in 2022.

The lineup of performers taking to the stage is diverse and local, with occasional international flourishes—The season will include rock bands and singer/songwriters, R&B, soul, jazz, big band musicians, string ensembles, dancers, and will feature many homegrown stars. All shows during March will feature women or women-fronted bands in celebration of  International Women’s Month.

The free, all-ages concerts will run through November of 2022, and echo the 2021 schedule with Singer-Songwriter/Folk/Rock Wednesdays, Jazz and Soul Friday Happy Hours, Cultural and Community performances on Saturdays, and Reggae Sundays, as well as many special events, including the return of the Golden Gate Bandshell Kid’s Festival featuring Charity and the JAMband March 5 from noon to 3:30 pm.

Sculptor Dana King, creator of the art installation Monumental Reckoning honoring Black history and lives in the Music Concourse, will emcee the season kickoff Wednesday with three singer-songwriters: Meredith Axelrod, Fo Fera, and Essence. Friday, March 4 features two sets from The Free Press. Sunday, March 6 will feature well-known reggae DJ Green B.

2022 Bandshell Free Concert Schedule

Here’s the currently scheduled free bandshell concerts. Please note that schedules and lineups can (and often do) change, so make sure to check the schedule for updates.

March 2022: 

Celebrating International Woman’s Month – Special Guests and Woman fronted bands all month long!

• Wed 3/2 (4-7pm) – All-Female Singer/Songwriters–  4:00 PM – Meredith Axelrod, 5:00 PM – Fo Fera, 6:00 PM – Essence 
• Fri 3/4 (4:30-7:00pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – The Free Press (2 Sets 4:30 to 5:30 and 6:00 to 7:00 pm)
• Sat 3/5 (12:00 to 4:00 pm ) – GG Bandshell Kids Festival featuring Guided Tours from SF Historical Society, Magic Mike 12:45 pm to 1:15 pm and Charity and the JAMband 1:30 to 3:30 pm
• Sun 3/6 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole and special guest DJ Green B (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 3/9 (4-7pm) – All-Female Singer/Songwriter Wednesday –         4:00 PM -Stephanie Woodford, 5:00 PM – Monica Maria, 6:00 PM – Keepers of Humanity
• Fri 3/11 (4:30-7:00pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Nate’ Soulsanger (2 Sets 4:30 to 5:30 and 6:00 to 7:00 pm)
• Sat 3/12 (12:00 to 4:00 pm ) – Ukrainian Benefit Concert
• Sun 3/13 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole and special guest Ay Que Linda (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 3/16 (4-7pm) – An Evening with Deborah Crooks –  2 Sets (5:00 and 6:00 pm) and Opening act Aireene Espiritu at 4:00 pm
• Fri 3/18 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Celebration of Women Empowerment through Music with special guests Yvonne Cobbs, Mary Williams and Robin Cobb-Williams (3 hours of music)
• Sat 3/19 (12:00 to 4:00 pm ) – Citizen’s Jazz – A Tribute to Nina Simone (2 Sets)
• Sun 3/20 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole and special guest DJ Sep (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 3/23 (4-7pm) – Market to Bandshell –  GABI – 4:00 pm, Rebecca Chapa – 5:00 pm, Columba Livia 6:00 pm (produced in association with Sunset Mercantile)
• Fri 3/25 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Renegade Orchestra  – 2 Sets 4:30 to 5:30 pm and 6:00 to 7:00 pm
• Sun 3/26 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole and special guest DJ LadyRyan (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 3/30 (4-7pm) – All Female Singer/Songwriters Wednesday–  Ariana Nicole – 4:00 pm, Anna Karney – 5:00 pm, Little Gems – 6:00 pm

April 2022:

• Fri 4/1 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Blue Moon Gypsies – (2 Sets)
• Sat 4/2 (Noon – 4:00 pm)-  Citizens Jazz- A Tribute to Nina Simone
• Sun 4/03 (4:30-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole and DJ Guidance 
• Wed 4/6 (4-7pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday –Johnny San Francisco 4:00 PM, Kevin North Band 5:00 PM, Carry Nation 6:00 PM
• Fri 4/8 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Hobo Paradise       (2 Sets)
• Sat 4/9 (12:00-4:00pm) – Whole Day Circus Event with SF Circus Center
• Sun 4/10 (4:30-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole and Special Guests TBD
• Wed 4/13 (4-7pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – Sara Rodenburg 4pm, Alice Austin 5:00 pm, Lara Louise 6:00 pm
• Fri 4/15 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Show TBD
• Sat 4/16 (Noon-4:00pm) – All City Choir Event – SFUSD 
• Sun 4/17 (4:30-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ – Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole and Special Guests TBD
• Sun 4/24 (5:00 pm-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ – Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole 
• Wed 4/27 (4-7pm) – Singer/songwriter Wednesday, An Evening with Red Hot Shame (2 sets), Linda Faye Carson opening 4:00 pm

May 2022:

• Sun 5/1 (4:30 pm-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ– Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole and special guests
• Wed 5/4 (4-7pm) Market to Bandshell –  Grupo Tribulation – 4:00 pm, Young & Up Too Late– 5:00 pm, Analog Dog – 6:00 pm (produced in association with Sunset Mercantile)
• Thurs 5/5 (4-7pm) – Peña Toribio presents Cinco De’ Mayo, Calle Son – 4:00 pm, Barrio Manouche 5:00 pm, Monreal Latin Blues 6:00 pm
• Fri 5/6 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Show TBD
• Sat 5/7(Noon-4:00pm) – Krakaw Jewish Culture Fest featuring Gili Yalo in association with Value Culture
• Sun 5/8 (4:30 pm-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ– Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole and special guests
• Wed 5/11 (4-7pm) – Singer/songwriter Wednesday, District 8 plus more TBD
• Fri 5/13 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Punk Funk Mob – 4:00 pm, San Francisco’s Finest: Pat Wilder Band 5:00 pm, Electrofunkadelica feat Shaunna Hall – 6:00 pm
• Sat 5/14 (Noon-4:00pm) – 826 Valencia presents The Storyteller’s Showcase (20th Anniversary Event)
• Wed 5/18 (4-7pm) – Singer/songwriter Wednesday, Brendan Earley – 4:00 pm, Roger Rocha – 5:00 pm Dizzy Twin – 6:00 pm
• Fri 5/20 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Parlor Tricks (2 Sets)
• Sat 5/21 (Noon-4:00pm) – Show TBD
• Sun 5/22 (4:30 pm-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ– Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole and special guests
• Wed 5/25 (4-7pm) – Singer/songwriter Wednesday, Jonathan Burnside– 4:00 pm, Jason Crawford – 5:00 pm Sammy Patrick Band– 6:00 pm
• Fri 5/27 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Show TBD
• Sun 5/29 (4:30 pm-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ– Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole and special guests

June 2022: 

• Wed 6/1 (4-7pm) – Market to Bandshell– Manos Lindas 4:00 pm Luke Doughty Quintet 5:00 pm and The Quilters 6:00 pm (produced in association with Sunset Mercantile)
• Fri 6/3 (4:30-7:00pm) – Special Event – MoonAlice  – 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm
• Sun 6/5 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole and special guest Jakob Nowell (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 6/8 (4-7pm) –Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – Jim Bruno 4:00 pm Paul Hayward 5:00 pm The Handler Brothers 6:00 pm
• Fri 6/10 (4:30-7:00pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – An Evening with Maurice Tani (2 Sets)
• Wed 6/15 (4-7pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – Sherita Perez 4:00 PM Book of Birds 5:00 PM Lakeville 6:00 pm
• Fri 6/17 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Jazzteenth Event – Celebration of James Weldon Johnson’s Birthday (Special Show) Headliner Performer TBA
• Sat 6/18 (12:00 to 4:00 pm) – Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors Present – Special Day Long Jazzteenth Event (Lots of artists and performers TBA)
• Sun 6/19 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole and special guest Exco Levi
• Wed 6/22 (4-7pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – Mike Whipple 4:00 PM Riptide Station 5:00 PM Revolushn 6:00 pm
• Fri 6/24 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – An Evening with Razteria – 2 Sets 4:30 to 5:30 pm and 6:00 to 7:00 pm
• Sat 6/25 (Noon to 4 pm) – Trombone Shorty Foundation Presents – New Orleans Band Showcase – plus special guests TBA in association with Value Culture
• Sun 6/26 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole and special guest Archangel and 7th Street Band (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 6/29 (4-7pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – Ben Lang and Friends (other artists TBA)

July 2022:

• Fri 7/1 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Terrie Odabi- (2 Sets)
• Sun 7/03 (4:30-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole and DJ Guidance and special guests TBA
• Wed 7/6 (4-7pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday –  Market to Bandshell Frances Ancheta Becker 4:00 pm Howard Simon & Paul Weiss 5:00 pm Brother Spellbinder 6:00 pm (produced in association with Sunset Mercantile)
• Fri 7/8 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Shake It Booty Band (2 Sets)
• Sat 7/9 (12:00-4:00pm) – GG Bandshell Folk Fest 2022 – Featuring V (Maund), Matt Jaffe, Michael Rufo, Pete Kronowitt and The Karney Band
• Sun 7/10 (4:30-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole plus special guest (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 7/13 (4-7pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – Kevin Radley 4:00 pm Merle Badges 5:00 pm Pardon The Interruption 6:00 pm
• Fri 7/15 (4:30-7:30pm) – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Wreckless Strangers (2 Sets)
• Sun 7/17 (4:30-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial Reggae Sunday featuring DJs Irie Dole and DJ Guid8nce and Special Guest DJ Pato Banton and the New Generation band.
• Wed 7/20 (4:00 pm-7:00pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – Hayley Lynn 4:00 pm Blair Borax 5:00 pm Nalamora 6:00 pm
• Friday 7/22 – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Show TBA
• Sun 7/24 (4:30-7:30pm) – Reggae Sunday – Crucial featuring DJ Irie Dole plus special guest (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 7/27 (4-7pm) – Singer/songwriter Wednesday – Telltale Shimmer 4:00 pm Vigilis 5:00 pm No Captains 6:00 pm
• Friday 7/29 – Soul/Jazz/R&B Happy Hour – Alpha-Rhythm Kings (2 Sets)
• Sat 7/30 (12:00-4:00pm) – GG Bandshell Kids Fest 2022 #2 featuring Charity and the JAMBand, Magician Mike Della Penna, and special guests

See the full upcoming concert schedule.

In 2020 Illuminate raised $800,000 to renovate the public stage, which now includes built-in theatrical lighting, and a state-of-the-art Meyer sound system. In 2021, Illuminate and Parks Alliance produced 65 shows from August to December, including the Alterverse, a month-long celebration of poetry and light, which was kicked off with the debut of the words “Lift Every Voice” by civil rights champion James Weldon Johnson installed on the Bandshell on December 1, 2021.

The 122-year-old Golden Gate Bandshell is the oldest structure in Golden Gate Park’s Music Concourse, an open-air plaza built for the 1894 Midwinter Exposition. Also called the Spreckels Temple of Music, the Bandshell was a gift to San Franciscans from sugar magnate Claus Spreckels.

The expanded, multicultural program is part of a larger effort to ensure Golden Gate Park is a welcoming place for all. Informed by extensive public feedback gathered through the Golden Gate Park Safety and Access Program, the improvements include art installations and performances that reflect the diversity of the city and access upgrades that connect Black and brown communities, seniors, and people with disabilities to the park.

Other improvements recently launched include expanding free shuttle service and breaking ground on a project to add 20 new accessible parking spaces and ADA upgrades to the Golden Gate Bandshell parking lot.

Read more at San Francisco Recreation & Parks.