Every summer, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is transformed into a massive concert venue for Outside Lands. Multiple major stages, food areas, and activations fill the park for the beloved event hosted by Bay Area entertainment company Another Planet Entertainment.
In 2024, the company decided to expand its music offerings, with a second, smaller weekend of music in the park following Outside Lands. To do so, APE came to an agreement with the city of SF to host free concerts for the public in Downtown San Francisco, resulting in several shows with major headliners, including a recent daytime party at the Embarcadero.
Last week, San Francisco Recreation and Parks announced the Golden Gate Park Concerts series could continue until 2035, as the Recreation and Park Commission had advanced the new proposal to extend the concerts.
The proposal will include three free concerts hosted by Another Planet Entertainment each year at major venues such as Civic Center Plaza, the Embassy, Union Square, and more.
“This partnership has brought incredible live music to Golden Gate Park and free concerts Downtown while also delivering real benefits for San Francisco neighborhoods, local businesses, and our park system,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Sarah Madland. “We’ve seen these events successfully balance entertainment, community investment, and strong protections for the park and surrounding residents.”
The agreement also stipulates funding for projects in the Richmond and Sunset, which border the park and are impacted by the festivals. The proposal will now move on to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and if approved, it will operate under a three-year term, with an option to extend until 2035.
So, while the future of the proposal is still uncertain, it is possible that San Franciscans can expect more free concerts in the coming years. You can learn more about the proposal here.
