San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival has officially announced its 2026 lineup, returning for its 89th season with a full summer of free concerts in San Francisco. Running from June 14 through August 16 at Sigmund Stern Grove, the long-running series continues to stand out as one of the largest and most accessible free music festivals in the United States.
As ticket prices continue to rise across the live music industry, Stern Grove remains a rare exception, offering completely free weekly concerts that draw more than 100,000 attendees each summer. The 2026 lineup blends legacy acts, global artists, and a strong slate of Bay Area talent, reinforcing the festival’s role as a cornerstone of San Francisco’s live music scene.
Headliners this year include Al Green, Public Enemy, Patti LaBelle, Major Lazer, Japanese Breakfast, and Violent Femmes, alongside a diverse mix of supporting artists across genres.
Stern Grove Festival 2026 Lineup by Date
June 14, 2026
- Peter Cat Recording Co.
- Marinero
June 21, 2026
- Bomba Estéreo
- La Misa Negra
June 28, 2026
- Japanese Breakfast
July 5, 2026
- Major Lazer
- Fijiana
- DJ Bad Juuju
July 19, 2026
- Charley Crockett
- Nicki Bluhm
July 26, 2026
- Suki Waterhouse
August 2, 2026
- Violent Femmes
- Tune-Yards
August 9, 2026
- Patti LaBelle
- Destini Wolf
The Big Picnic Weekend Finale
August 15, 2026
- Public Enemy
August 16, 2026
- Al Green
- Goapele
- The GLIDE Ensemble
Held in the historic Sigmund Stern Grove amphitheater, the festival has remained free and open to the public since its founding in 1938. Its continued focus on accessibility, community, and local artist support has made it one of the most important annual music events in San Francisco.
More than half of the 2026 lineup features Bay Area artists, reflecting a deliberate effort to support local musicians at a time when independent artists are facing increasing financial pressure within the live music ecosystem.
The season will conclude with the Big Picnic Weekend, a two-day finale that brings some of the biggest names in the lineup to the Grove for a high-attendance closing celebration.
Free tickets for each concert will be distributed through the official Stern Grove Festival lottery system.
Featured image credit: Stern Grove Festival
