San Francisco Opera’s free Opera in the Park celebration is back this Sunday, September 13, 2026, marking the event’s 51st anniversary with an impressive afternoon of live music.
Conducted by music director Eun Sun Kim, the performance will spotlight several standout artists from SF Opera’s 2026–27 season for an afternoon of masterful duets, solos, and arias. Pack a picnic and plan to arrive early, as the family-friendly event historically attracts crowds of more than 30,000 people.
Opera in the Park takes place from 1:30–3:30 p.m. at the 5.3-acre Robin Williams Meadow in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Visitors can spread out with blankets or low-back lawn chairs, though tarps are not permitted. Seating is unreserved and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Food and beverage vendors will be available on-site, and four free hydration stations around the meadow will offer water refills for reusable cups and bottles.
Parking near the event will be especially limited because nearby spaces are reserved for staff and production crews. Attendees are encouraged to bike and use the complimentary bike valet on the meadow’s east side, ride the free Golden Gate Park shuttle, or choose another transit option. ADA parking will be available on Bowling Green Drive, along with an accessible passenger drop-off area.
A century of San Francisco Opera
San Francisco Opera was founded in 1923 and recently celebrated its centennial. The company performs at the landmark War Memorial Opera House, a Great Depression-era building created as a memorial to San Franciscans who served in World War I. Beyond its mainstage productions, SF Opera supports opera training, K–12 educational initiatives, and community outreach programs.
The company’s forthcoming 2026–27 season includes significant productions such as Simon Boccanegra, Mary, Queen of Scots, and The Marriage of Figaro.
🌐 Learn more: San Francisco Opera