2026.10.02 — 2026.10.04 · Ended
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass · San Francisco 2026
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass was founded in 2001 by the late financier Warren Hellman, who left funding so it would always be free. From 2 to 4 October, several stages in Golden Gate Park play at once, from bluegrass and folk to country and American roots music. No tickets and no assigned seats: wait at one stage for a favourite, or wander across the grass to the next and discover a band you did not know.
On Saturday, 3.50–5pm, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings play the Banjo Stage.
Their voices and guitars leave space for each other: one finishes a line, the other picks it up, the picking holds the melody, and the whole lawn goes quiet to listen.
On Sunday, 5.45–7pm, the country legend Emmylou Harris closes the Banjo Stage.
After a day moving between stages, the sun goes down and the lawn holds nothing but her voice. Earlier, 3.50–4.50pm, Punch Brothers play the Rooster Stage, the day’s other highlight.
Checked · 2026-09-23
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2009 · Eric Frommer · Photo source · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Preview cropped; enlarge for full image. · Report image rights
2022 festival account; temperatures quoted in Fahrenheit.
It got foggy quickly and temps went from 70’s to low 60’s in about twenty minutes.
It is outdoors on grass, crowded at the popular stages, with no seats.
When the fog rolls in it cools fast; in 2022 one visitor saw the temperature drop from the 70s to the low 60s °F in twenty minutes, so bring a jacket.
Check the official list of what you can bring; food and transport are your own.
Official 2026 site map showing stages, four entrances, water and accessibility facilities.
2–4 October 2026. Music starts at 13:00 Friday and 11:00 Saturday/Sunday, ending at 19:00 daily. Gates open at 11:00 Friday and 09:00 on the weekend. San Francisco local time.
America/Los_AngelesPublic transport is preferable: Muni 5/5R serves the north side and N Judah the south. Choose an entrance near your target stage on the map.
Free, with no ticket required and no assigned seating.
Free
Terrain includes grass and uneven paths. Accessibility assistance is available near Gate 3; confirm individual arrangements with the organiser.
Dates and entry details refer to this edition; individual sessions may differ.
Eric Frommer · CC BY-SA 2.0 Image source
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Information checked on 2026-09-23
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