San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival, a beloved free music extravaganza, is back for its 88th year, running from June 15 to August 17, per axios.com. This summer’s lineup promises a vibrant mix, headlined by R&B legend Diana Ross and Bob Marley’s sons, Stephen and Damian, who will close the season at the “Big Picnic” weekend. Other highlights include indie-rock icons Sleater-Kinney, electronic duo Phantogram, and country star Orville Peck, with Bay Area artistes opening many shows.
For the first time, Stern Grove introduces a ticketed system to manage crowds at the Sigmund Stern Grove on 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. Fans can enter a lottery six weeks before each concert, with entries open for a week and winners notified a month in advance. No entry limits apply, and 1,000 tickets will be available at city box offices the day before each show on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteering guarantees a ticket—email volunteer@sterngrove.org to sign up. Giveaways through partners like DoTheBay and KALW Radio, plus VIP table reservations for donors, offer more ways to secure a spot.
The first lottery opens May 4 for the California Honeydrops’ June 11 show, with table bookings already underway. This shift aims to balance accessibility with crowd control, preserving the festival’s community spirit while accommodating its growing popularity.
Stern Grove remains a cultural cornerstone, blending global stars and local talent in a natural amphitheater.
•Featured image: Chaka Khan performs at Stern Grove/Steve Jennings/Getty Images
