The top music festivals in San Francisco

From Coachella-style festivals to operatic gatherings, the San Francisco Bay Area has a stellar line up of music festivals and concerts this year.

Across multiple music genres including jazz, punk, rock and opera, each festival guarantees a unique experience, showcasing San Francisco’s creative spirit and diverse music scene.

This autumn, the city welcomes a selection of old favourites including Opera in the Park and Golden Gate Park Bandshell Concerts, alongside brand-new festival, Portola, debuting this September.

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, May – October 

From May through October 2022, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival invites fans to experience performances from different cultures, ethnicities and artistic genres. With over 100 free outdoor concerts as well as theatre, circus shows, dance, poetry and kids’ programs, there is certainly something for everyone. The gardens will host the world premiere of the Marcus Shelby New Orchestra’s Blues in the City, on 3 September.

Golden Gate Park Bandshell Concerts, March – November 

Live music returns to the Golden Gate Bandshell stage with free outdoor performances running between March and November 2022. This season’s lineup is both diverse and local, featuring rock bands, R&B, soul, jazz, reggae and string ensembles, alongside many homegrown stars. Performances vary from traditional band classics conducted by German Gonzalez and soul/jazz/R&B hour, with the Mad Maggies, to a Brazilian Day with live music by Bateria Butuci. www.sfrecpark.com

Opera in the Park, 11 September  

As part of its centennial season, the San Francisco Opera returns for its opening weekend on 11 September, offering free, al fresco performances in Golden Gate Park. Opera enthusiasts are invited to enjoy an afternoon of arias and melodic duets, conducted by music director Eun Sun Kim.

Portola Music Festival, 24 – 25 September  

Portola is the newest music festival coming to San Francisco’s Pier 80 this September. Presented by the creators of the successful Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and California’s Country Music Festival, it brings together an eclectic mix of new electronic artists, metaverse pop stars, and legends, from Flume, Kaytranada, Jamie xx, to The Chemical Brothers and James Blake. The festival’s namesake being an ode to the Portola Festival of 1909, an iconic celebration of the city’s reopening following the earthquake of 1906.

For further details visit: www.portolamusicfestival.com

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, 30 September – 2 October 

This free, three-day celebration of music is held annually in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Attracting over half a million people, the festival features an eclectic line-up of country, soul and folk acts performing across multiple stages. Performing acts include Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons, Americana, folk singer-songwriter Allison Russell, and returning favourites Galactic and Buddy Miller.

For further details visit: www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com