This weekend: 18th annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park

Posted on by Sarah B.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in Golden Gate Park.

Friday is the start of the 18th annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, a 3 day, free music festival that takes place in Golden Gate Park’s Hellman Hollow (formerly Speedway Meadows), Lindley & Marx meadows (12pm-7pm on Friday, 11am-7pm on Saturday and Sunday). Attendance is open to all and admission is free all three days.

Noteworthy performers, who will appear on 7 different stages, include Ani Difranco, Mavis Staples, Los Lobos, Alison Krauss, Booker T. Jones, and dozens more. The SF Chronicle has assembled their picks for the “must-see” acts at the festival. And Lindsey Buckingham (formerly of Fleetwood Mac) will perform with Live From Here with Chris Tile on Friday night from 4pm-7pm. View the full festival schedule

The event also features over 50 food purveyors with many options (no alcohol will be sold on site).

The festival offers a mobile app for iPhone and Android as well that lets you create a custom schedule for yourself.

There will be street closures inside Golden Gate Park leading up the event and afterwards during cleanup:

  • JFK Dr. between Stowe Lake Circle and Chain of Lakes Dr.
  • 36th Ave. between Fulton and JFK Dr.
  • 30th Ave. between Fulton and JFK Dr.
  • Transverse Dr. between Crossover Dr. (25th Ave.) and MLK Dr.
  • Overlook Dr. between Transverse and Middle Drive West
  • Middle Drive West between Transverse and Middle Drive West
  • Metson Drive between Middle Drive West and MLK
  • Parking area at Polo Fields at North Stables and on Metson drive (south side of Polo fields)

    • Street closures in Golden Gate Park during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

    As in years past, schools will open their lots for event parking fundraisers. Below is the list of parking locations that have opened in past years with notations of ones we have confirmed for 2018:

    • George Washington High School – 600 32nd Ave.
    • CONFIRMED: Argonne Elementary – 680 18th Ave. Open Sat & Sun 10am-8pm $30
    • Lafayette (Sat & Sun ONLY) – 4545 Anza Street @ 36th Avenue [enter on 36th between Anza and Balboa]
    • Jefferson Elementary School (Sat & Sun ONLY) – 1725 Irving St. [Enter on 18th Ave. between Irving and Judah]
    • CONFIRMED: Lawton Alternative School – 1570 31st Ave. Open Sat & Sun 10am-8pm. $20 cash only

    If you can’t make it to Golden Gate Park, check out the webcasts available on moonalice.com (not all acts, but some!). Day 2 | Day 3

    If you live in the neighborhood and experience any issues due to the festival, use the Hotline number at 415-406-9014.

    Enjoy!

    Sarah B.

    HSB 2016. Photo by Kristina Barevski