San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is getting ready for another weekend of free music as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass prepares to return October 2–4 for its 26th annual festival.
The 2026 edition brings together an especially broad mix of artists, with performers representing bluegrass, folk, country, rock, Americana, blues, and more. The latest announcement adds several new names to an already packed schedule, including Robert Plant with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian, Rilo Kiley, Punch Brothers, Mavis Staples, Los Lobos, Lukas Nelson, My Morning Jacket, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, and many others.
Rilo Kiley will step into the lineup in place of Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas.
A Tribute to Dolly Parton
One of this year’s most meaningful elements will be a festival-wide tribute to Dolly Parton. HSB is encouraging artists throughout the weekend to perform one of Parton’s songs in their sets. The tribute comes nearly two decades after Parton performed a memorable set at the festival on October 2, 2005.
Sheri Sternberg, one of HSB’s founders and Executive Producer, explained that the idea was inspired by the way musicians came together to perform Tom Petty songs following his death shortly before the 2017 festival. At least 15 artists have already agreed to participate in the Dolly Parton tribute.
The 2026 Lineup
The newly announced performers include:
Recently Added:
Robert Plant with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian, Rilo Kiley, Alex Amen, Cristina Vane, The Crooked Jades, Dean Johnson, The Deslondes, Dry Branch featuring Ron Thomason & Friends, Grace Cummings, Joel Ben Izzy, Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands, Todd Snider Rules!, Marco and The Polos with Special Guests Hills To Hollers, Punch Brothers, Rahim AlHaj, Scuff Queer Line Dancing featuring Jail Preacher, Sf Porchfest, Stella Heath Quartet, Sweet Sally, Theo Lawrence, and Willy Tea Taylor.
Fourth Lineup Announcement:
Miko Marks, Alison Brown, Crosby Collective, Fantastic Cat, The Record Company, Tony Kamel & Kym Warner, Wreckless Strangers, Steve Poltz, The Third Mind, and Martha Scanlan & Jon Neufeld.
Third Lineup Announcement:
Los Lobos, Langford, Hogan & Timms, Mavis Staples, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Bandits On The Run, Tift Merritt, Meels, Moonalice, Anna Moss, ¿Qiensave?, and Lukas Nelson.
Second Lineup Announcement:
Aaron Lee Tasjan, Darrell Scott String Band with Rob Ickes, Dug, Mama’s Broke, A Tribute To Joe Ely with The Flatlanders and Friends, Ismay, Kam Franklin, Jesse Welles, and Sierra Hull.
Initial Lineup:
AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Hiss Golden Messenger, Kathleen Edwards, My Morning Jacket, Old Crow Medicine Show, El Khat, Tyler Ballgame, William Tyler & Yasmin Williams, and John Craigie with The Coffis Brothers.
More artists are still expected to be announced.
More Than a Festival Weekend
HSB is also bringing its music beyond Golden Gate Park through its Out of the Park Concerts series.
The additional performances include:
- Molly Tuttle — Bing Concert Hall, Stanford — September 28
- AJ Lee & Blue Summit & Bandits on the Run — Sweetwater — October 2
- Gillian Welch & David Rawlings — The Fillmore — October 2
- John Craigie & Anna Moss — Great American Music Hall — October 2
- Tyler Ballgame — Café Du Nord — October 2
- El Khat — The Freight — October 3
- Old Crow Medicine Show & Ismay — Sweetwater — October 3
- Kathleen Edwards — The Guild — October 4
- Jimmie Dale Gilmore — HopMonk Novato — October 5
- Hiss Golden Messenger — The Little Saint, Healdsburg — October 6
What to Know Before You Go
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass remains a free event, but attendees should review the festival’s policies before arriving. The 2026 event will offer a live webcast from the Banjo, Swan, Towers of Gold, Rooster, Arrow, and Horseshoe Hill stages, giving fans another way to experience performances throughout the weekend.
Guests should also leave bicycles, scooters, skateboards, Segways, Onewheels, and other personal transportation devices at home, as they aren’t permitted inside the festival grounds.
Hard coolers are prohibited, while soft coolers no larger than a 12-pack are permitted. Clear bags can help speed up the screening process, and backpacks must be smaller than 22″ x 15″ x 10″ and will receive additional screening. Flags, selfie sticks, and poles are also not permitted.
For schedules, maps, policies, and real-time updates, attendees can use the official Hardly Strictly Bluegrass website and festival app.
With three days of free performances, a massive lineup, special tributes, and additional concerts throughout the Bay Area, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2026 is set to bring another wide-ranging celebration of live music to San Francisco this fall.
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