Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is back in San Francisco, bringing three days of free music to Golden Gate Park.
The 26th edition of the festival opened Friday, Oct. 2, with performances across Hellman Hollow, Marx Meadow and Lindley Meadow. The day’s lineup includes My Morning Jacket, Los Lobos, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Sierra Hull, Reckless Kelly and dozens of other artists.
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Hardly Strictly Bluegrass: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 3-4. Free. Golden Gate Park, S.F. https://hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
The festival runs from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, then 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 3-4. Admission is free, with no tickets required.
Opening day comes after a busy buildup that included a star-studded tribute to festival veteran Steve Earle at the Masonic on Thursday, Oct. 1, and the addition of Robert Plant with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian, plus Rilo Kiley, which was announced just last week as the replacement for Alison Krauss & Union Station after Krauss was advised to take vocal rest.
Plant is scheduled to perform Sunday, while Rilo Kiley takes the Arrow Stage on Saturday afternoon.
As fans spread blankets across the meadows, the festival’s mix of established stars, veteran roots musicians and younger acts once again makes Golden Gate Park the center of the Bay Area’s fall music calendar.
Friday’s weather is expected to be sunny and warm, with temperatures reaching about 70 degrees at the festival grounds, according to Chronicle meteorologist Anthony Edwards. Saturday could be much hotter, potentially surpassing 80 degrees around noon before an afternoon breeze brings temperatures back into the 70s, where they’re expected to remain Sunday under sunny skies.
Muni is adding service for the festival as transit officials are warning of heavier traffic and delays around Golden Gate Park. Extra N Judah, 5 Fulton, 5R Fulton Rapid and other service is scheduled during the weekend.
Check back for updates throughout the three-day outdoor event.
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This article originally published at Photos: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2026 opens under sunny skies in San Francisco.