Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2026 in Golden Gate Park (Oct. 2-4)
Hellman Hollow | John F. Kennedy Drive and Transverse Drive, San Francisco, CA
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Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2026 in Golden Gate Park (Oct. 2-4)
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is 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 2026.
Full lineup and details are typically announced in the summer with a “drip” campaign and lineup hints with a music medley.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2026
October 2-4, 2026
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
FREE2026 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Lineup
Full Lineup TBA
2026 Lineup Reveal
The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass lineup is revealed in a series of medleys that are released throughout the summer with snippets of 10 artists at a time.
INITIAL LINEUP
- AJ Lee and Blue Summit
- Buddy Miller
- El Khat
- Elizabeth Cook
- Emmylou Harris
- Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
- Hiss Golden Messenger
- Hot Tuna (acoustic)
- John Craigie with the Coffis Brothers
- Kathleen Edwards
- Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams
- Molly Tuttle
- My Morning Jacket
- Old Crow Medicine Show
- Reckless Kelly
- Shawn Camp
- Stacey Earle
- Steve Earle & the Hardly Strictly Dukes
- Tyler Ballgame
- Yasmin Williams and William Tyler
2026 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Information
When: Fri Oct 2, Sat Oct 3, and Sun Oct 4, 2026
Where: Hellman Hollow, Lindley & Marx meadows in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
2026 Full Details TBA
Please note, this info below is from 2025; we will update this guide as 2026 details become available.
What Time Does Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Open?
Entrances will open at 11am on Friday, and 9am Saturday & Sunday. Performances end at 7pm daily.
- Friday – 1-7 pm (gates open at 11 am)
- Saturday – 11 am-7 pm (gates open at 9 am)
- Sunday – 1 am-7 pm (gates open at 9 am)
2025 Full Day-by-Day Schedule | Lineup 2025 | Festival Map 2025 | Food Vendors 2025 | Food Vendor Map 2025
2025 LINEUP + SCHEDULE
The full day-by-day schedule is typically announced in mid/late September.
Just released! View the full 2025 daily schedule2025 Highlights
Friday, October 3
- Amos Lee: Banjo Stage, 5:50 – 7:00pm
- The Devil Makes Three: Rooster Stage, 6:00 – 7:00pm
- Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats: Towers of Gold Stage, 5:50 – 7:00pm
Saturday, October 4
- Courtney Barnett: Swan Stage, 5:55 – 7:00pm
- Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band: Swan Stage, 12:25 – 1:15pm
- Patty Griffin: Towers of Gold Stage, 2:55 – 3:50pm
- Robert Earl Keen: Rooster Stage, 6:00 – 7:00pm
- Samara Joy: Towers of Gold Stage, 1:15 – 2:05pm
Sunday, October 5
- Alan Sparhawk and Trampled by Turtles: Swan Stage, 5:55 – 7:00pm
- Dengue Fever: Arrow Stage, 4:45 – 5:30pm
- I’m With Her: Rooster Stage, 2:10 – 3:05pm
- Lucinda Williams: Banjo Stage, 3:45 – 4:45pm
- Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets: Swan Stage, 2:05 – 2:55pm
- Peter Rowan with Sam Grisman (Old & In the Way & More): Swan Stage, 3:50 – 4:45pm
- The String Cheese Incident: Towers of Gold Stage, 4:45 – 5:55pm
- Watchhouse: Rooster Stage, 5:35 – 6:50pm
When / Where is Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
When: Fri Oct 3, Sat Oct 4, and Sun Oct 5, 2025
Where: Hellman Hollow, Lindley & Marx meadows in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
Festival Map 2025What Time Does Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Open?
- 11 am entry to the meadows on Friday morning
- 9 am entry on Saturday and Sunday.
- Performances end at 7 pm daily
2025 Stages
- Rooster Stage
- Banjo Stage
- Towers of Gold Stage
- Swan Stage
- Horseshoe Hill Stage
- Arrow Stage
- Lindley Meadow (we’re not sure if this is a stage for 2025 or not. It’s on the map, but it’s unclear)
Where are the Entrances for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2025?
There are four entrances to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass for 2025. All attendees must go through a security checkpoint with body scanners and may include a physical search of bags and belongings. SFPD, K9 and Tactical Units will be positioned inside and outside the venue.
- JFK Drive and Transverse Drive
- Fulton Street and 30th Avenue
- JFK Drive and 36th Avenue
- South Polo Field — Middle Drive& Metson Road
Entrances will open at 11am on Friday, 9am Saturday and Sunday. Performances end at 7pm daily.
HSB encourages the use of public transportation or any alternative to personal vehicles.However, due to public safety within the event, HSB does not allow any bicycles, scooters, regular skateboards, electric skateboards, Segways, Onewheels, or other types of motorized devices inside the venue. Bicycle parking locations can be found in the event map.
How to prepare for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2025:
The following items are allowed:
- Bags, backpacks or personal items with dimensions no larger than 22″ x 15″ x 10″. (Any item over this limit must first submit to a physical search; prepare for delays at the entrance. HSB reserves the right to reject any bag/backpack/item for any reason.)
- 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 – 9” x 8” x 6”
- Collapsible wagons
- Blankets/tarps up to 6 ’x 78 and short backed chairs are allowed, but will be subject to search.
The following are not allowed:
- No items that can be used to disturb the peace, endanger others, and/or cause damage to people or property
- More than 1 bag and 1 personal item
- Bags larger than 22”x15”x10”
- Hard coolers or coolers larger than a 12-pack
- Glass, kegs, hard liquor
- Umbrellas
- Tables
- Shade structures / Tents
- Blankets or tarps larger than 6’x8’
- Devices for amplified sound
- High back chairs
- Selfie sticks
- Firearms or weapons of any kind
- Fireworks, smoking, open flames, grill
- Drones
- Flags or poles
- Unauthorized vending or promotional items
HSB reserves the right to reject any bag/backpack/item for any reason.
FAQ: What’s allowed / Not allowed for 2025In addition:
In 2025, the free water refill stations will be available near the Rooster Stage, Banjo Stage by the bathrooms, Swan Stage, and the Horseshoe Hill Stage. See map.
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, Kids & Families, Live Music, Outdoors
