Golden Gate Bandshell Concerts

The Golden Gate Bandshell is the oldest structure in Golden Gate Park’s Music Concourse. The original bandstand was built in 1882, with the current structure being built in 1900. Also called the Spreckels Temple of Music, the current Bandshell was a gift to San Franciscans from sugar magnate Claus Spreckels.

The Golden Gate Park Band has presented free concerts in Golden Gate Park since 1882. It is one of the oldest professional Concert Bands in the United States. The season runs from late-April to early-October. 

The Band offers a variety of music at its concerts including classic band favorites, music from operas, marches, Broadway show tunes, orchestral transcriptions, novelty tunes, folk music, big band swing music and original works for concert band. Throughout the season, the Band features soloists from within its membership as well as guest artists. 

The band has a long history of collaboration with various cultural and arts organizations in San Francisco who bring to the concert dance groups, costumes, singers, and music from around the world. Concerts are free and family friendly. Programs always start at 1 p.m. and last around 90 minutes. During the season concerts are on most Sundays, as well as July 4 and Labor Day.

Illuminate LIVE kicked off its 2024 season on March 1 and continues through mid-November with shows every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The free concerts attract more than 250,000 music lovers throughout each season. Illuminate organizes these performances annually with more than 125 diverse free concerts at this historic venue.

The lineup of performers is as diverse and local as it was in its first three seasons. The 2024 concerts will feature R&B, soul, jazz, funk, big band musicians, string ensembles, indie and psychedelic rock bands, and many singer-songwriters. In addition, the series will include reggae, salsa, and some EDM and electronic music.

The free, all-ages concerts will run through mid-November, and echo the previous format:

• Singer/Songwriter Wednesdays 4 - 7 p.m.
• Friday Happy Hour 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Crucial Reggae Sundays 4:20 - 7:30 p.m.  (+ select Saturdays)

A full schedule can be found here and will be updated regularly, including special events.

The Illuminate Live series is funded through private support, spearheaded by gifts from The John and Marcia Goldman Foundation, Carla and David Crane and Leslie and Keith Blodgett.

The free concert series was originally launched as part of Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary in 2020, a yearlong celebration put on by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. The activation followed Illuminate’s nearly $1 million renovation of the space, which included a new stage, built-in theatrical lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system. 

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To learn more about how you can support free programming at the bandshell from Illuminate please click here. 

Interested in playing the bandshell or have additional questions? Email ggpbandshellproduction@gmail.com