As ticket prices soar and music festivals become increasingly expensive, Stern Grove Festival is doubling down on something rare: a completely free live music experience. Now entering its 89th season, this beloved San Francisco tradition returns June 14 through August 16 with a lineup that blends legendary performers and local talent.
Set in the scenic Sigmund Stern Grove, the festival will once again transform its eucalyptus-lined amphitheater into a gathering place for more than 100,000 attendees across the summer. This year’s lineup includes icons like Al Green, Public Enemy, and Patti LaBelle, alongside contemporary acts such as Major Lazer and Japanese Breakfast.
More than half of the 2026 lineup features Bay Area artists, reinforcing the festival’s deep commitment to supporting the local music scene at a time when independent musicians face growing challenges. Since its founding in 1938, Stern Grove has remained rooted in the belief that live music should be accessible to all—an idea that feels more vital than ever today.
The season wraps with the Big Picnic Weekend on August 15–16, a special two-day finale headlined by Public Enemy, followed by Al Green with The GLIDE Ensemble and Goapele.
Admission remains free, with tickets distributed through an online lottery. For nearly nine decades, Stern Grove Festival continues to prove that world-class music doesn’t have to come with a price tag, just a sense of community.
STERN GROVE FESTIVAL – 2026 LINEUP
June 14 – Peter Cat Recording Co. + Marinero
June 21 – Bomba Estéreo + La Misa Negra
June 28 – Japanese Breakfast
July 5 – Major Lazer + Fijiana + DJ Bad Juuju
July 19 – Charley Crockett + Nicki Bluhm
July 26 – Suki Waterhouse
August 2 – Violent Femmes + Tune-Yards
August 9 – Patti LaBelle + Destini Wolf
The Big Picnic Weekend
August 15 – Public Enemy
August 16 – Al Green + Goapele + The GLIDE Ensemble
