San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today announced Stern Grove Festival, the longest-running free outdoor music festival in the Bay Area, will return to Sigmund Stern Grove for its 84th season this summer beginning June 20, 2021.
The multi-genre music festival will run through August 29 with a full slate of in-person concerts featuring today’s most sought-after artists and local established and up and coming performers. It will remain free, but organizers will limit audience capacity according to health orders through an online ticket reservation system at sterngrove.org.
Guidelines will be adjusted over time, with limited seating expected for at least the first few concerts. Initial reservation options include pods of either four or six people. Ticketing will open online before each concert and will be issued on a first-come, first served basis.
“The return of live music marks a joyful part of San Francisco’s recovery,” said Mayor Breed. “For more than 80 years, Stern Grove Festival has been bringing us world class performances in a beautiful public park—free and accessible to all. And while I know the official announcement of the lineup is to come, with what I’m hearing about the first show, I absolutely cannot wait to be there.”
“This pandemic altered our lives, impacting livelihoods, health, family, and community connections. So, we are thrilled to be part of the healing process for San Francisco’s reopening,” said Stern Grove Festival Executive Director Bob Fiedler. “Live music is an excellent tonic for our individual and collective souls. We are delighted to be of service again.”
Stern Grove Festival’s concert lineup will be announced soon, along with further ticketing details. The 2021 Festival calendar is listed below:
- June 20
- June 27
- July 4
- July 11
- July 18
- July 25
- August 1
- August 8
- August 15
- August 29 - The Big Picnic
All concerts for the 2021 season will begin at 2 p.m. at Sigmund Stern Grove, a historic park and concert meadow located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard in the city’s Sunset District that offers an unparalleled outdoor setting for music lovers of all ages.
“For generations, San Franciscans have spent summer Sundays relaxing in the natural beauty of the park while experiencing incredible live performances. Stern Grove Festival is a beloved institution, and we are thrilled to have it back at Stern Grove, where people can safely enjoy connecting with music, nature, and each other,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg.
Additional changes to the Festival-going experience at the park will include the construction of new temporary fencing and other key infrastructure to help maintain proper social distancing. Other safety-related protocols will be announced closer to day-of-show at sterngrove.org.
In order to reach as many people as possible, especially those unable to attend in person, Stern Grove Festival will also be live streaming its’ shows this year for the first time ever. Stay tuned for more details surrounding the virtual live stream experience, which will kick off in conjunction with each Sunday concert starting at 2 p.m. PT.
Stern Grove Festival would like to thank its 2021 sponsors for their support, including the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund, Grants for the Arts, Hewlett Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, The Bernard Osher Foundation, Walter & Elise Haas Fund, Waymo, National Endowment for the Arts, Levi Strauss & Co., John & Marcia Goldman Foundation, William G. Gilmore Foundation, Bloomberg, and Xfinity. Local media partners include KPIX-TV (CBS), KBCW-TV (CW), and SF Media Co. This year’s event is once again held in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and Commission.
About Stern Grove Festival
Stern Grove Festival is a beloved annual San Francisco summer tradition spanning 84 years and counting. Every summer, the Festival presents 10 free concerts featuring top headliners, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, rising stars, and Grammy-winners including The Isley Brothers, Smokey Robinson, The Doobie Brothers, Kool & the Gang, Toots & the Maytals, Mavis Staples, The Psychedelic Furs, Mitski, Pink Martini, Ziggy Marley, Ozomatli, Digable Planets, Carlos Santana, Sheila E., and many more!
Stern Grove Festival also presents over 30 admission-free arts education programs for youth and young adults in San Francisco each year, fulfilling its mission to make live musical experiences accessible to all. Learn more by visiting www.sterngrove.org.
Stern Grove Media Contact
Trey Hicks // trey@treyhickspr.com // 214.908.1261
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