October is shaping up to be an incredible month for music fans, thanks to the 2026 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass lineup announcement. Golden Gate Park will welcome My Morning Jacket, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Old Crow Medicine Show, Hiss Golden Messenger, Kathleen Edwards, and more across October 2-4. Best of all, admission is completely free, just like it’s been for all 26 years of this beloved festival. Patrick Hallahan from My Morning Jacket shared his excitement, saying the band sees HSB as“a gift to the people of the Bay Area.”More artists will be announced in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on the official HSB app and website for updates and exclusive medley previews.
The real highlight this year might be the Steve Earle tribute concert on October 1 at The Masonic, which kicks off the festival weekend. Steve has performed at every edition of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass since 2002, creating a 25-year legacy with the event. This special concert will feature Earle performing alongside collaborators including Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, and others, with Buddy Miller serving as musical director. Every dollar from ticket sales goes directly to Sweetwater Spectrum, a nonprofit providing community-based housing for adults with autism and developmental disabilities. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate an artist’s commitment while supporting a cause that matters to the HSB community.
The festival experience extends beyond the main three days through the“Out of the Park”concert series happening at Bay Area venues throughout the festival weekend. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings will perform at The Fillmore, while Old Crow Medicine Show takes the stage at Sweetwater, with proceeds from those shows benefiting the Bay Area Musicians’Fund and Sweet Relief. Whether you’re planning to spend the whole weekend in the park or catch some of the special venue shows around the Bay, there’s something for everyone. Are you thinking about heading to San Francisco this October, or is there a particular artist on the lineup you’re most excited to see?
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Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
