San Francisco Recreation and Park Department

Illuminate and SF Rec and Park to kick off 5th Season of Free Live Music at the Golden Gate Bandshell on March 1, 2025 with more than 125 performances are planned to celebrate the Bandshell’s 125th anniversary.

Illuminate and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will present more than 125 free concerts at the historic Golden Gate Bandshell in Golden Gate Park in 2025, starting with women-fronted bands on March 1. The 2025 season will run through mid-November, featuring shows most Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and select Saturdays.

Over the past four years, the Bandshell has become a hub for diverse musical genres and legendary performances, including Kronos Quartet’s 50th Anniversary, Victor Wooten, Pato Banton, DJs like Doc Martin and Justin Martin, annual events like Surf Fest, Children’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day with Shana Morrison, and weekly reggae celebration Crucial Reggae Sundays. In total, more than 600 free shows have been held as part of the series, called Illuminate LIVE, attracting nearly 1 million music lovers to the park’s Music Concourse.

The Bandshell, renovated by Illuminate in 2020 with world-class sound and lighting systems, continues to be the center of independent music in one of America’s premier parks, with over 23 million annual visits.

Season Five of Illuminate’s free music series continues a tradition of rich history at the historic Bandshell.  Nestled in Golden Gate Park, the Bandshell stands as a grand neoclassical stage for San Francisco’s public musical life. The structure was a gift from Claus Spreckels, a sugar magnate, to the City in 1900, meant to inspire and elevate civic culture through free outdoor concerts.

The Opening Concert will also feature a tribute to Paul McCartney, a nod to the new exhibit “Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm,” which will be on display at San Francisco’s de Young Museum from March 1 through July 6.

Illuminate LIVE 2025 Season Details:

• The free, all-ages concerts begin March 1 and continue through mid-November:
  • Singer/Songwriter Wednesdays: 4 – 7 p.m.
  • Friday Happy Hour: 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Crucial Reggae Sundays: 4:20 – 7:30 p.m.
  • + select Saturdays
• The free concerts attract more than 250,000 music lovers annually.
• The entire month of March will honor and feature women or women-fronted musical groups. In total, 14 women-focused  shows are planned during the month.

The 2025 full schedule will be updated regularly, including special events.

March 1, 2025 Opening Concert Schedule

Noon – 12:15pm: Welcome Remarks

Phil Ginsburg, SF Rec & Park GM, Kat Anderson, President of the Rec/Park Commission, and Ben Davis, Founder of Illuminate. Mayor Lurie has also been invited.

• 12:15 – 1pm: Local Singer Songwriters: A Nod to Sir Paul
  Stephanie Woodward Duo, Ben Lang and Anna Karney
• 1:00p – 2:00pm: The Free Press Music
• 2:30pm – 3:35pm: Batuki

The full lineup of performers is as diverse and local as it was in its first four seasons. The 2025 concerts will feature R&B, soul, jazz, funk, big bands, string ensembles, punk, indie and psychedelic rock bands, and many singer-songwriters. In addition, the series will include lots of reggae, Latin, and EDM.

The Illuminate LIVE free concert series was initially launched as part of Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary in 2020, a yearlong celebration put on by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. The Illuminate Live series is funded through private support and grants.

2025 Free Bandshell Concert Schedule

Catch live music in the park every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (plus select Saturdays) through November.

See the upcoming schedule (subject to change)

March 2025 (Celebrating International Women’s Month):

• Sat 3/1 (12 pm-4pm) – Special 5th Anniversary Kick-Off Show -12:00 PM – Speakers/Giveaways 12:30 pm – Free Press Music 2:30 pm – Batuki
• Sun 3/2 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays 2025 Kick-Off with Irie Dole, DJ Guidance and special guest Kaylan Arnold (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 3/5 (4-7pm) – Market to Bandshell – All-Female Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – 4:00 pm – Frankie West, 5:00 pm – Gaby, 6:00 pm – Lolah & The Travelers
• Fri 3/07 (4:30-7:30pm) –Friday Happy Hour – Tracy Cruz Band (2 Sets)
• Sun 3/09 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole, DJ Guidance and special guest Ay Que Linda (6:00 to 7:00 pm)
• Wed 3/12 (4:00 – 7:00 pm) – All-Female Singer/Songwriter Wednesday –    4:00 pm – Sara Rodenburg, 5:00 pm – Aireene Espiritu, 6:00 pm – Rebecca Chapa
• Fri 3/14 (4:30 to 7:30 pm) – Third Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration featuring Shana Morrison and Caledonia (2 sets)
• Sun 3/16 (4:30 to 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole, DJ Guidance and special guest DJ Sep (Dub Mission) (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 3/19 (4:00 – 7:00 pm) – All-Female Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – 4:00 pm – Roo Harrigan, 5:00 pm – Anna May, 6:00 pm – Deborah Crooks
• Fri 3/21 (4:30 to 7:30 pm) – Friday Happy Hour with Razteria (2 sets)
• Sun 3/23 (4:30 to 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole, DJ Guidance and special guest DJ Outlaw Yoko (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 3/26 (4:00 – 7:00 pm) – All-Female Singer/Songwriter Wednesday –    4:00 pm – Maggi Forti, 5:00 pm – Eva J. Fortune, 6:00 pm – Frances Ancheta 
• Fri 3/28 (4:30 to 7:30 pm) – Friday Happy Hour with Marlina Teich Quartet (2 sets)
• Sat 3/29 (10:30 AM to 1:30 pm) – 4th Annual Kids Show featuring Charity and the JAMBand at 11:30 AM and Teacher Barb and Friends at 10:30 AM
• Sun 3/30 (4:30 to 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole, DJ Guidance and special guest DJ Cilla (5:30 to 6:30 pm)

April 2025:

• Wed 4/2 (4-7pm) – Market to Bandshell – Wednesday – 4:00 pm – Taco Mosh, 5:00 pm – Fringe, 6:00 pm – For Earth Below
• Fri 4/4 (4:30-7:30pm) –Friday Happy Hour – David Rocha Quintet (2 Sets)
• Sat 4/5 (12:00 to 4:00 pm) – 2nd Annual “Tribute to the Past” – featuring Radio Radio (12:30 pm) and Burning Down the House (2:30 pm)
• Sun 4/6 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole, DJ Guidance and special guests Ted Shred and Oh Snap! (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 4/09 (4:00 – 7:00 pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday “Redo from 2024” – 4:00 pm – Emily Zisman, 5:00 pm – Donovan Plant, 6:00 pm – Michael Vincent and U No Who
• Sun 4/13 (12:00 to 4:00 pm) – (Daytime) Punk Rock at the Shell featuring Hyperdrive Kittens 12:30, Alvie and The Breakfast Pigs 1:45, and Gloomy June at 2:45 pm.
• Sun 4/13 (4:30 to 7:30 pm) – (Evening) Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole, DJ Guid8nce and special guest DJ Mr. E (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 4/16 (4:00 – 7:00 pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – 4:00 pm – Azere Wilson, 5:00 pm – Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, 6:00 pm – Amy Obenski Trio
• Fri 4/18 (4:30 to 7:30 pm) – Golden Gate Park Big Band – Welcome Back Performance and fundraiser (2 Sets)
• Sat 4/19 (12:00 pm to 4:00 pm) Bicycle Day -Live Performances by special guests The Live Oaks (TBD) at 12:30 pm and Whiskerman at 2:30 pm
• Sun 4/20 (4:30 to 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays “Special Event” with Irie Dole, DJ Guidance and special guest Prezident Brown (5:00 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 4/23 (4:00 – 7:00 pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – 4:00 pm – Michael Annotti, 5:00 pm – Jesse Strickman, 6:00 pm – Keepers of Humanity
• Sun 4/27 (4:30 to 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole, DJ Guidance and special guest DJ Rolo (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 4/30 (4:00 – 7:00 pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – 4:00 pm – Bully Meow, 5:00 pm – Karaj Lost Coast, 6:00 pm – Purple Albatross

May 2025:

• Fri 5/2 (4-7pm) – Friday Night Happy Hour – 836M presents Language of the Birds 
• Sat 5/3 (2-6pm) – SF Public Library presents – Bay Beats Showcase featuring Mae Powell 12:30 pm, Piwai 1:45 pm, and The Grease Traps 2:30 pm
• Sun 5/4 (4:30 pm-7:30pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays with DJ Sep and Dub Mission Special Guest Spliff Skankin’ (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 5/7 (4-7pm) – Market to Bandshell Wednesday – Vesuvio Street Band 4:00 pm, Missing Pieces 5:00 pm, Slow Coast 6:00 pm
• Fri 5/09 (4:30-7:30pm) – Friday Happy Hour – Charged Particles (2 Sets)
• Sat 5/10 (2:00-6:00 pm) – Special Saturday Hip Hop in the Park with Afterthought, Sutro and Top-Chefs, ASH, Miss Hits, Amihan, Abby Walker
• Sun 5/11 (4:30 to 7:30) – Crucial Reggae Sundays Mother’s Day Dance with DJ Guidance and Nice and Fresh Band (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 5/14 (4-7pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday – Season of Us – 4:00 pm, Three Flower Jam – 5:00 pm, SourFlower – 6:00 pm
• Fri 5/16 (4:30-7:30pm) – Kev’s Local Band Night featuring Dumpster Love (4:30 to 5:30 pm) and Lazer Beam (6:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
• Wed 5/21 (4-7pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday, An Evening with The Sam Chase (solo from 4:30 to 5:15 pm and then full band 5:30 to 6:45 pm)
• Fri 5/23 (4:30-7:30pm) – Friday Night Happy Hour – UnaMas (2 Sets)
• Sat 5/24 (12:00 pm-4:00pm) – 2nd Annual Retro Future Review with Little Oil 12:00-12:45 Love and Havoc 1:00-1:45, Treasures 2:00-3:00, plus special guest TBA 
• Sun 5/25 (4:30 pm-7:30pm) – Crucial Reggae Sunday with Irie Dole and DJ Guidance and special guests Native Elements (5:30 to 6:30 pm)
• Wed 5/28 (4-7pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday, Pickleweed Paul 4:00 pm, Muze ZaK 5:00 pm, The Berrios Trio 6:00 pm
• Fri 5/30 (4:30-7:30pm) – Friday Night Happy Hour – Erik Jekabson Ensemble (2 Sets)
• Sun 6/1 (4:30 pm -7:30 pm) Crucial Reggae Sundays with Irie Dole and DJ Guidance with special guests Mighty Mystic (5:30 to 6:30 pm

Golden Gate Park Bandshell