This is San Francisco’s largest music festival for one and all with wild, neon-lit parties and old-school beats you’ll never forget. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass brings in over a hundred acts across 6 different stages and gathers 750,000+ visitors from across the globe annually every October. The rumors are true - the festival is as exhilarating as they say.
When is it held?
In 2024, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will be from October 4th -6th in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
What is Hardly Strictly Bluegrass?
Originally known as Strictly Bluegrass, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a non-commercial and absolutely free-to-attend music festival founded by venture capitalist Warren Hellman in 2001. While various sponsors have come forth to him, Hellman has declined them all to keep this festival entirely free. Initially a bluegrass genre-only festival, he has accepted a wide variety of global music trends to attract enthusiasts of all kinds.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is held at San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Park on the first weekend of October each year. The revelries go on for 3 days to create a community and place where people from across America and international territory share their love for music.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass - A Festival for a Cause
Warren Hellman, a great lover of vintage Bluegrass oldies, did not introduce Hardly Strictly Bluegrass just for the fun and glam. His positive agenda to build social equality, end racial injustice and capitalism are strong driving forces behind the event’s organization. As Hellman says, “repair and recognition” are needed to provide attention to diversity and stories of Black music.
Every year, a special event for appreciating the generations of Black artists who have contributed to and even introduced eclectic genres like blues, jazz, gospel hymns, funk, hip-hop and soul music. Hellman’s vision to eliminate everything that divides us and bring together the achievements of all American artists on one stage makes Hardly Strictly Bluegrass all the more interesting and nostalgic.
Upcoming Dates for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is held on the first weekend of October every year. Here is the complete list of upcoming dates for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in 2024: -
- Friday, 4th October
- Saturday, 5th October
- Sunday, 6th October
Line-Ups for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
The 2024 line up artists are
- AJ Lee & Blue Summit
- Alice Gerrard
- Big Star’s "Radio City" 50th Anniversary
- Bobby Rush
- The Bones of J.R. Jones
- DakhaBrakha
- Devendra Banhart
- Emmylou Harris
- Fruition
- Glen Hansard
- Greensky Bluegrass
- Haley Heynderickx
- Ibibio Sound Machine
- Jobi Riccio
- Levitation Room
- Robyn Hitchcock
- Sean McConnell
- Sleater-Kinney
- Tony Trischka's Earl Jam
- The Wood Brothers
How To Reach Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Venue?
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass takes place at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, one of the most accessible tourist destinations in the city. The main drive-in entrance to the park can be found from Panhandle via the Fell Street going onto JFK Drive. The second most used entrance is off Lincoln Boulevard on 9th Avenue.
- By public transportation: Golden Gate Park is accessible via the subway and public buses. Enter MUNI at the combined MUNI/BART Embarcadero Station. Board the North Ocean Beach car and get off at 29th Avenue. which takes you to Judah Street. This is two blocks away from Golden Gate Park, within 10 minutes of walking distance. Bus numbers going to Golden Gate Park: 31 Balboa, 5R Fulton Rapid, 38R Geary Rapid, 38 Geary.
- By car and bike: Drive up to 101 South across Golden Gate Bridge and exit onto Park Presidio Boulevard. Golden Gate Park stands at the end of the lane.
Parking at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Venue
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has parking for both cars and bikes. But this is not a festival where folks are on the go from one stage to the other. People usually park at one spot and spend the rest of the weekend there. For newbies, Rooster Stage and Arrow Meadow are ideal places if you arrive early between 10:30am and 11am. An early morning attendance will earn you spots close to the stage. Think of a concert totem beforehand so that friends joining you later can identify you from afar.
Dressing Up for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a festival mainly attended by hipsters from across the world. If you don’t want to feel left out of the scene, dress up in colourful chinos, tie-dye shirts, slim-cut jeans, denim shirts paired with flannels or short-sleeve button downs. Oversized clothing is common among trendsetters at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, so consider wearing chunky boots and funky make-up or body paint. Add a cowboy hat for your cherry on the cake.
If you truly want to show your love for the festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has official merchandise that can be purchased on site. They sell eye-catching graphic t-shirts priced between USD 30 and USD 40. Hoodies cost USD 60. Since the weather is mostly sunny during this time, consider buying a cap with their logo at just USD 30. For protection and hygiene, logo masks and hand sanitizers have been added to cart and cost USD 15 only.
Staying Near the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Venue
Most people coming to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass typically camp in or near Golden Gate Park, in front of Rooster Stage, Arrow Meadow and Banjo Stage. If you’re attending Hardly Strictly Bluegrass from outside San Francisco, consider arriving a day in advance to get familiar with the area, weather, the people and the sunkissed city. These are the top budget-friendly lodges and accommodation prices just a stone’s throw away from the venue: -
- Inn at Golden Gate - USD 61.69
- Surf Motel - USD 46
- Sweden House Hotel - USD 39.35
More Tips to Have the Best Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Experience
- BYOB & F: As per park rules, you can bring your own alcohol. Chilled beer and rose wine are traditional at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. Actually, those are the only drinks allowed! Hard alcohol and glasses are banned. You are encouraged to bring your own picnic too as no alcohol or food is sold at the venue. However, some vendors selling American snacks are available just outside the venue.
- Bring a jacket and wear sunscreen: The typical weather during October’s first weekend is 75 Fahrenheit. Fog rolls in around 5pm. In such climate-diverse venues, bring sunscreen for the day’s first half and a jacket for the second.
- Pet rules: Dogs and cats are allowed but should be on leash at all times.
- Know security rules: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has a strict clear-bag policy. Backpacks larger than 16” x 16” x 8” are not allowed. Large coolers and kegs are not allowed either, so consider bringing booze in thermos flasks. You can still bring 2.5 liters of hydration packs.