Hardly Strictly Bluegrass returns to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park from 2–4 October 2026 with another enormous free lineup.

Despite its name, the festival hasn’t been strictly bluegrass for a very long time.

The 2026 programme spans Americana, folk, rock, country, soul and traditional roots music.

Who is playing Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2026?

Major names include My Morning Jacket, Mavis Staples, Emmylou Harris, Los Lobos, Molly Tuttle, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Steve Earle, Punch Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Marty Stuart and Old Crow Medicine Show.

Friday includes My Morning Jacket, Los Lobos, Molly Tuttle, Lukas Nelson and Sierra Hull.

Saturday includes Gillian Welch & David Rawlings and Steve Earle.

Sunday brings Emmylou Harris, Punch Brothers and a special tribute to Joe Ely featuring The Flatlanders.

Important 2026 lineup change

Alison Krauss & Union Station had originally been scheduled for Saturday but have withdrawn after Krauss was advised to undertake vocal rest.

So if you’re searching older Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2026 lineup announcements, note that Alison Krauss is no longer appearing.

Hardly Strictly remains completely free

One of the most unusual things about Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is its scale combined with free admission.

Golden Gate Park effectively becomes a giant music festival without the typical festival ticket price.

That’s helped turn the event into one of San Francisco’s most distinctive annual music traditions.

When is Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2026?

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass takes place from Friday 2 October through Sunday 4 October 2026 at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

My Morning Jacket, Mavis Staples, Emmylou Harris and dozens more make the 2026 edition particularly strong.