Stern Grove Festival
- Dates
- Expected June-August 2027
- Status
- Expected
- Venue
- Sigmund Stern Grove
- Price
- Free
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Oct 27, 2026
Stern Grove Festival comes to Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco, CA, Expected June-August 2027. Froligo tracks free-entry details, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Stern Grove Festival is described as the nation's longest-running free nonprofit music festival, bringing live music to San Francisco since 1938. Every summer it gathers audiences in a natural amphitheater at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. The 2026 season was followed by the announcement of the 90th season the next summer.
How it works
Concerts are free, with free tickets allocated by a separate lottery for each show, and children 3 and older need a ticket. Tickets are a PDF with a unique QR code that can be forwarded to someone else. The permitted capacity is 10,000 people. In 2026, reserved seating was available as a donation: $200 for a community table seat, $2,000 for a standard table of 10 and $4,000 for a premium table of 10. Smoking is prohibited, service or support animals are allowed, and leashed pets are allowed in the West Meadow.
Who it suits
Stern Grove describes itself as "a place where everyone is welcome, and every show is free." Children 3 and older need a ticket, while an infant held in someone's arms does not count toward a table's seat count.
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Listen
No official playlist linked yet. Find Stern Grove Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
Getting there
Nearest airport SFO.
How do I get to Stern Grove Festival?
By car
Most people drive to Stern Grove Festival. The nearest major airport is SFO, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
Francis Circle, the festival's own transportation page names this as the direct route, with a one-block walk west to the 19th Avenue/Sloat Boulevard park entrance. Bus lines 23-Monterey and 28-19th Avenue also stop right at 19th Ave/Sloat, reachable via a Glen Park (23-Monterey) or Daly City (28-19th Avenue) BART transfer instead.
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
The festival's own transportation page recommends rideshare as an alternative to driving, given there is no public parking lot at the venue. No dedicated festival rideshare pickup/drop-off zone is documented (unlike large gated festivals), this is a residential city-park venue, so standard app-based pickup/drop near the 19th Ave/Sloat or Vale Ave entrances applies.
Book / infoTaxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
Affiliate Flying in? You can book an airport transfer from SFO in advance rather than joining the taxi queue on arrival. Transfer links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
🅿 Parking
No on site parking. Use nearby lots or transit. No public parking lot exists at the venue and street parking is 'extremely limited,' per the festival's own page, which asks attendees not to block neighbors' driveways. Reserved Picnic Table ticket packages include a parking pass with instructions sent by email, not a general-admission option. Separately, ADA parking is available first-come-first-served along the north side of Sloat Blvd between 19th Ave and 22nd Ave (limited supply). A free bike valet operates at 21st Ave and Wawona from 11am until one hour after the concert. An ADA/senior shuttle (plus one companion) runs from three pickup locations to the Vale Avenue entrance, 11am-5:30pm.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at SFO
There is no on site parking at the venue, so if you are hiring a car it is worth sorting nearby parking or a park and ride before you go.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
Sigmund Stern Grove
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Stern Grove Festival?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Budget stays 4
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2690 46th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates4211 Judah Street, San Francisco, CA 94122
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates4750 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMid-range hotels 3
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2251 27th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2600 Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94116
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTreat yourself 2
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates250 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 3
1 Old Bayshore Highway, Millbrae, CA 94030
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates55 South McDonnell Road, San Francisco, CA 94128
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates401 East Millbrae Avenue, Millbrae, CA 94030
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMore hotels nearby 2
Airbnb & private camping
San Francisco has a large, year-round short-term rental supply across the city; the Sunset/West Portal neighborhoods immediately around the venue skew residential with fewer listings than downtown, so most Airbnb options near Stern Grove will be a short Muni ride rather than a walk.
Search AirbnbStern Grove is a dense urban neighborhood park with no camping context. Hipcamp is a weak fit here. The nearest genuine Hipcamp-listed private-land camping is out toward the wider Bay Area (Marin, East Bay, Santa Cruz mountains), not walkable or transit-adjacent to the venue
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near Sigmund Stern Grove
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Accessibility & comfort
The organizer does not publish accessibility details. Ask them directly before you travel about step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and anything else you need.
Pricing
While you're in San Francisco
AffiliateA Go City pass bundles San Francisco's top attractions into one price, handy if you're making a trip of it rather than coming just for the festival.
See what's includedWe may earn a commission if you buy a pass. It costs you nothing extra and never changes what we tell you about a festival.
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Quick answers
When is Stern Grove Festival 2027?
Expected June-August 2027. The organizer has not announced the dates yet.
How much are Stern Grove Festival tickets?
Entry is free.
Where is Stern Grove Festival held?
Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco, CA.