San Francisco’s beloved free music festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, has officially released dates for its 2025 rendition. Make sure you clear your calendar from Friday to Sunday, October 3-5, 2025, for a memorable weekend of free music in Golden Gate Park! While the lineup is still TBA, we’ll probably hear artist announcements through the summer, as in past years.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is one of the most highly-anticipated events on San Francisco’s cultural calendar, bringing out over 500,000 people over the festival’s three-day run. The beloved tradition has been around since 2001 and always takes over Golden Gate Park’s Hellman Hollow and Lindley & Marx meadows.
We’re looking forward to hearing the first lineup announcements this summer—last year, some of the biggest performers included Patti Smith, Lucinda Williams, Alice Gerrard, and The Wood Brothers. Musicians usually cover a nice variety of genres and maintain a family-friendly environment all weekend long.
When it comes to food and drink, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass sets up over 50 on-site food vendors, but bringing your own picnic is also a popular option. And while there are no on-site alcohol vendors, you can even bring your own beer and wine in non-glass containers.
What’s the history of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass?
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass began in 2001 when San Francisco venture capitalist Warren Hellman launched it as “Strictly Bluegrass,” initially focusing solely on bluegrass music. Over time, the festival expanded to include more genres, leading to the addition of “Hardly” in its name in 2003. Hellman wished to keep admission free and noncommercial through the festival’s inception, and Hardly Strictly has continued to honor his wishes even long after his passing in 2011.
2025 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at a glance:
🗓️ Dates: Friday-Sunday, October 3-5, 2025
🌐 Website: HardlyStrictlyBluegrass.com
📍 Location: Hellman Hollow and Lindley & Marx meadows in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA