Don’t settle for anything less this summer and enjoy the great outdoors. Check out the best free outdoor concerts going down around The Bay!
The City
Stern Grove Music Festival
Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco
June 19 – August 21
The longest running admission-free outdoor music festival in the U.S., Stern Grove Music Festival is a beloved San Francisco summer tradition. Get to the Sunset District grove early if you want front-and-center seats. Otherwise, head up to the tree-adorned hill to the side for a sanctuary of shade.
Schedule:
July 10 – San Francisco Symphony
July 17 – Joan Osborne’s Soul Revue with John Brothers Piano Company
July 24 – Julieta Venegas with La Misa Negra
July 31 – San Francisco Ballet
August 7 – The O’Jays with MJ’s Brass Boppers
August 14 – Atomic Bomb! with Afrolicious and more
August 21 – The New Pornographers with Astronauts Etc.
Fillmore Jazz Festival
San Francisco
July 2 – 3
All of the artists will perform a dedicated set in remembrance of the famous Jazz artists at the largest Jazz festival on the West Coast. Expect 12 blocks of arts and crafts, food and drink, and much more over the Independence Day weekend.
San Francisco Symphony Concert at Pier 27
Pier 27, San Francisco
July 24
Once again, San Francisco Symphony brings its outstanding programming and talent, this time, in the outdoors for a change. Overlooking the waterfront at Pier 27 (Port of San Francisco Cruise Ship Terminal), the program will include Shostakovich’s rousing Festive Overture, Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto performed by the “thrilling” Makoto Ozone (The New York Times), and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
Union Square Live
Union Square, San Francisco
May 25 – September 28
While locals tend to avoid Union Square like the plague, if you do happen to find yourself in Tourist Zone 1 this summer, you may want to stick around. Union Square Live returns with International and local acts including Moonalice; dance music series Tango in the Square, Salsa in the Square, and Swing in the Square; and family-friendly Circus Bella.
Go North
Napa City Nights
Downtown Napa, Napa
June 3 – August 26
In the heart of downtown Napa, within walking distance to popular wine bars and restaurants, lies Napa’s beautiful outdoor riverfront venue. Complete with terraced seating areas, listen to master musicians in genres including: jazz, rock, country, world, clues, pop, and folk!
Live at Lagunitas!
Lagunitas Petaluma TapRoom & Beer Sanctuary, Petaluma
June 13 – September 26
Held in their outdoor “LaguMiniAmphitheaterette,” these shows are completely free, but tickets go fast so make sure you keep your eyes on the bands’ social media that you’re excited to see. Concerts will be held on Tuesdays and the occasional Monday.
Schedule:
July 19 – Thao and The Get Down Stay Down
August 9 – Deer Tick
August 15 – Blind Pilot
August 23 – Parquet Courts
August 29 – Charles Bradley
August 30 – Unknown Mortal Orchestra w/ tUnE-yArDs DJ Set
September 5 – White Denim
September 26 – TBA
Go South
Music on the Square
Courthouse Square, Redwood City
June 3 – September 2
Enjoy Redwood City’s Courthouse Square on Friday nights, when the place comes alive with performances from tribute bands covering Santana, Boston, Michael Jackson, and Journey, to original bands in genres spanning second line NOLA funk, reggae, blues, country, and more!
Concerts at the Cove
Crab Cove Visitor Center, Alameda
June 10 – August 12
A hidden gem along the beach in Alameda, Crab Cove boasts amazing views of the San Francisco Bay. This free series features a variety of music spanning multiple genres in a family-friendly environment. You are welcome to bring your own spread, or you can grab food and drink from local spots who will be serving up tacos, sausages, wine, and beer on site.
Bands on the Beach
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
June 17 – September 2
Have in Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk all summer long, as they host some of the greats of the past on their oceanfront stage. Every Friday night, bands like The Tubes and Los Lobos will perform two sets a night–6:30pm and 8:30pm–leaving plenty of playtime on the boardwalk!
Schedule:
July 8 – The Family Stone
July 15 – Santana Original Lead Singer Gregg Rolie
July 22 – Toad the Wet Sprocket
July 29 – Taylor Dayne
August 5 – Y & T
August 12 – Foghat
August 19 – Smash Mouth
August 26 – Los Lobos
September 2 – Papa Doo Run Run
