It’s time to dust off your favorite park blanket, gather your squad and catch some incredible outdoor music this summer across SF and beyond. From R&B to EDM and Classical to Folk-Rock, these outdoor summer concerts are a great opportunity to get together. Here are nine that we love.
1. Stern Grove Festival
Nestled in a secluded Eucalyptus grove, this annual free concert series is celebrating its 85th year with performances by Cat Power, LeAnne Rhimes, Taj Mahal, and many more on Saturdays through August 14. Admission is free but tickets are required. Tickets are released at 2pm, 12 days prior to each event.
Location: Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove, San Francisco
2. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Yerba Buena Gardens is hosting a summer festival packed with free music and entertainment. A few highlights include Orchestra Gold on Aug 11, Lalin St. Juste Aug 25, and Marcus Shelby Sept 3.
Location: Yerba Buena Gardens, 760 Howard St, San Francisco
3. Golden Gate Park Bandshell
Golden Gate Park’s historic bandshell is back and hosting over 100 free shows in 2022. They feature weekly performances like Reggae Sunday and Singer/Songwriter Wednesdays in addition to special events like World Music with Tosin Aribisala on Aug 12, and the Golden Gate Park Band’s Ukrainian Cultural Celebration on Aug 28.
Location: Music Concourse, 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
4. Stanford Live Arts Festival
Stanford University’s summer concert series runs from July 8th-Aug 6th at their beautiful grassy outdoor amphitheater. Enjoy powerful performances including classical music from SF Symphony, a variety of jazz shows from award-winning artists courtesy of SF JAZZ, and thrilling dance performances including a David Bowie tribute co-presented by Complexions Contemporary Ballet and SF Ballet.
Location: Frost Amphitheater, 351 Lasuen St, Stanford
5. Kapwa Gardens Summer Jamz
Kapwa Gardens will host Summer Jamz, a series of free R&B parties with local DJs throughout the summer. The series continues with Goodness SF on Aug 13, and Pinayista Summer Jamz Picnic on Aug 20, featuring Pinay creatives, vendors, food, and music.
Location: Kapwa Gardens, 967 Mission St, San Francisco
6. Outside Lands
Outside Lands is the city’s largest music festival and is back for 3 days of music, Aug 5-7 in Golden Gate Park. 2022 headliners include Green Day, Post Malone, and SZA with performances by Phoebe Bridgers, Weezer, Jack Harlow and many more. This annual festival draws music lovers from across the country and is famous for its misty forested setting.
Location: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
7. Due South
This free summer concert series is hosted in McLaren Park on 8/27, 9/17, and 10/8 and features acts like Deafhaven, Thao, Ozomatli, and more. Produced by Noise Pop and the SF Parks Alliance, this event returns after a 2 year hiatus to the park’s famed Jerry Garcia Amphitheater.
Location: Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, McLaren Park, San Francisco
8. Candlelight Open Air Concerts
This massively popular concert series is coming to Oakland for an open air performance on Aug 31 at The Overlook. This event will feature the Listeso String Quartet playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and more in an intimate environment surrounded by hundreds of luminous candles. These events sell out quickly, so don’t hesitate.
Location: The Overlook, 344 20th St, Oakland