SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today announced that the sixth season of Illuminate LIVE at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell will begin on Sunday, March 1. The show is among several closing acts for the city’s second annual SF Music Week and launches a new season of free outdoor concerts in Golden Gate Park. Illuminate LIVE draws more than 250,000 attendees annually and continues to rank among the city’s most accessible and well-attended live music series.
The new season builds on Mayor Lurie’s work to support artists and musicians, activate public spaces, and strengthen the city’s economic recovery through the arts and entertainment. Early in his administration, the mayor announced the inaugural SF Music Week to spotlight San Francisco’s renowned music scene. He celebrated the return of SF Music Week this year following a free downtown concert series and a successful "Summer of Music" that drew tens of thousands and generated over $150 million in local economic activity. Mayor Lurie also launched SF LIVE, a free online show guide and events calendar to support arts institutions by boosting ticket sales.
“From last summer’s Summer of Music in Golden Gate Park to free concerts in Civic Center and Union Square, San Francisco is a music city,” said Mayor Lurie. “I’m thrilled Illuminate LIVE is returning for a sixth season—transforming Golden Gate Park into a stage for our city’s incredible talent. This season will bring energy, joy, and vibrancy to our city while supporting local artists, activating public spaces, and helping drive our city’s comeback.”
The 2026 season of Illuminate LIVE will include more than 125 free performances running through mid-November, with shows most Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, along with select Saturdays and special events—extending the energy of SF Music Week into a months-long run of free public performances.
Now in its sixth year, Illuminate LIVE has transformed the historic Golden Gate Bandshell, also known as the Spreckels Temple of Music, into one of the Bay Area’s most vibrant and accessible outdoor venues. Since 2020, the series has presented more than 700 free concerts, welcoming nearly 1 million music lovers.
Renovated in 2020 by Illuminate with state-of-the-art sound and lighting, the bandshell continues its original 1900 mission of providing free music for the public. Today, it serves as a home for independent artists, local legends, cultural celebrations, and community gatherings in one of the most visited parks in the country.
“The Golden Gate Bandshell’s revival proves the power of possibility here in the City of Awe,” said Ben Davis, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Illuminate. “It shows how generosity and belief can restore the park's musical heartbeat, and help San Francisco reclaim its live music swagger.”
“Golden Gate Park has been a stage for San Francisco’s soundtrack for more than 150 years,” said Sarah Madland, Interim General Manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. “From the first live performance in 1882 to today, free concerts in the park have brought generations together. There is something uniquely powerful about hearing live music surrounded by nature and community. Illuminate LIVE continues that tradition, honoring our history while making sure the Music Concourse remains vibrant, welcoming, and alive for everyone.”
The March 1 kickoff concert is presented in collaboration with SF Music Week, produced in part by the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and Noise Pop. SF Music Week brings together artists, venues, and industry leaders to strengthen San Francisco’s music ecosystem and reinforce the city’s reputation as a global arts and culture hub.
Throughout March, Illuminate LIVE will celebrate International Women’s Month, featuring 14 female-fronted shows and highlighting more than 25 local female artists.
The March 1 opening concert schedule will include performances from Lucky Break, Grooblen, and Gloomy June. Following the afternoon concert, the 2026 season of Crucial Reggae Sundays will open featuring resident DJs Irie Dole, Guid8nce, and DJ Sep. The season will continue with free, all-ages performances from March 1 through mid-November, including Midweek Melodies (Wednesdays), Friday Happy Hour (Fridays), Crucial Reggae Sundays (Sundays), and Select Saturdays and special cultural events.
The 2026 lineup continues Illuminate LIVE’s tradition of showcasing the Bay Area’s musical diversity, spanning R&B, soul, jazz, funk, big band, string ensembles, punk, indie and psychedelic rock, singer-songwriters, reggae, Latin, and electronic music.
Originally launched during Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary, Illuminate LIVE has grown into a cornerstone of San Francisco’s public arts landscape. The series is made possible through private support, grants, and partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.
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