We can enjoy free live performances on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The San Francisco live music scene is truly back in business! Dozens of free concerts are on the calendar courtesy of Illuminate, SF Rec & Parks, and the SF Parks Alliance. All performances are free and family-friendly, with the impressive Golden Gate Bandshell as the backdrop. The Bandshell, which is 120 years old, added new lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a new stage during the pandemic.
This awesome lineup was meant to celebrate Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary last year, but the pandemic pushed back all of the performances. We’re thrilled that we still get to enjoy them as SF gets vaxxed! All concerts will follow appropriate health guidelines.
Here’s a full lineup of live music that you can expect to see at the Bandshell. Stay tuned as this list gets updated, and see more details at the SF Rec & Parks website.
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December 2021:
- Wed 12/1 (4:30-7:30pm) – The Alterverse Kick-Off. Includes Lift Every Voice reveal, poetry and musical performances
- Lift Every Voice Reveal – Dana King, Ben Davis, Tongo Eisen-Martin, Phil Ginsburg
- Poetry performances from James Siegel and Greg Pond
- Musical Performance by Martin Luther McCoy and the Robin Hodge Williams Ensemble
- Thurs 12/2 (6-8pm) – Post-tree lighting celebration with the George Washington High School Choir
- Fri 12/3 (4:30-7:30pm) – Live music from The Free Press, and performances from the San Francisco Poet Laureate Tribute
- Sat 12/4 (12-4pm) – Latin Singer/Songwriter Day
- 12:00-12:30pm – Obrayan Calderón
- 12:45-1:15pm – Mariela Herrera
- 1:30-2:00pm – Daniel Riera (Latin Alternative Electronic)
- 2:15-2:45pm – Chris Mayorga
- 3:00-3:30pm – Monica Maria Fimbrez
- Sun 12/5 (12-7:30pm) – 3 performances
- 12-2:30pm – Parks Alliance Kids Show Holiday Edition with Charity and the JAMband
- 3-4:30pm – Words and Light – Youth Poetry Day with 826 Valencia
- 4:30-7:30pm – Crucial Reggae Sunday featuring DJ Jah Yzer plus special guest TBA
- Wed 12/8 (5:30-8pm) – Words and Light – Big Steppin’ through 2021 with Stunnaman 02
- 5:30-6:30pm – DJ Corvette
- 6:30-7:15pm – Conversation KQED-FM “Rightnowish” host Pendarvis Harshaw & Stunnaman
- 7:15–8pm – Live performance Shy’an G & AFT
- Fri 12/10 (4-7:30pm) – Words and Light
- 4-5:30pm – Jaz Sawyer Trio
- 6-7:30pm – Kev Choice
- Sat 12/11 (12-4pm) – SF Parks Alliance Holiday Hootenanny – 10 performers each sing 3 of their favorite holiday songs
- Sun 12/12 (12-7:30pm) – 3 performances
- 12-2pm – SF Youth Chorus Winter Memories Concert
- 3-4:30pm – Words and Light – Unfinished Legacy: A Youth vs. Apocalypse
- 4:30-7:30pm – Crucial Reggae Sunday featuring DJ Jah Yzer plus special guest TBA
- Wed 12/15 (4-7pm) – Singer/songwriter Wednesday “Sirens at the Shell”
- 4-4:45pm – Nefertitti
- 5-5:45pm – Fo Fera
- 6-6:45pm – Essence Goldman
- Thurs 12/16 (6-7:30pm) – Words and Light – Radical Roots: A MoAD Poetry Reading
- Sat 12/18 (4-7pm) – Last Full Moon of 2021- Howl Fest! With music, poetry, and howling at the moon.
- Sun 12/19 (3:30-7:30pm) – 2 performances
- 3:30-4:30pm – Words and Light – Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Showcase
- 4:30-7:30pm – Crucial Reggae Sunday featuring DJ Jah Yzer plus special guest TBA
- Wed 12/22 (6-7:30pm) – A Celebration of Poet June Jordan
- Fri 12/24 (6-7:30pm) – Words and Light – The Docks @ The Bandshell
- Sun 12/26 (3-4:30pm) – Words and Light UMOJA – KWANZAA Celebration with the Museum of the African Diaspora
- Wed 12/29 (6-7:30pm) – Words and Light – R&R {rest(oration)ritual} Open Mic
- Fri 12/31 (4-6pm) – Words and Light – Turning with Tarot: Welcoming 2022. With poetry, dance, music, and tarot readings.
Featured image: @panobug via Instagram