Introduction
The Bay Area is one of the most happening places in the country. It is a region with over seven million people with a thriving culture and arts scene, where there is consistently a major event or exciting show. While it is like this throughout the year, the number of festivals, shows, concerts, and community events amp up a notch during the summer.
The Bay Area summer lineup is constantly filled with things to do, and this summer will be no different. Let’s explore three of the most exciting festivals to look forward to this summer.
Outside Lands
Outside Lands is a legendary Bay Area festival held annually at Golden Gate Park. It is the largest independently owned music festival in the United States and has been running since 2008. Outside Lands was canceled in 2020 and pushed back from its normal date in 2021. But in 2022, this massive occasion returns to its normal date and crowd size and, from August 5th-7th, will bring some of the biggest acts in music to the Bay.
The lineup for Outside Lands is filled with some of the most recognizable talents in the industry right now. Music superstars like Post Malone, Green Day, SZA, Jack Harlow, Phoebe Bridgers, and Weezer are all set to take to the stage. This event has more to it than just the great music, though. It is a celebration of what makes the Bay unique, with a craft market, a food and drink lineup of 90+ restaurants and 65 wineries and breweries, and exciting premium experiences.
Tickets for this iconic San Francisco festival cost $409 for three-day General Admission or $175 for single-day General Admission. It will be a can’t-miss occasion with top-notch music, food and drink, and experiences.
Sausalito Art Festival
Sausalito sits just across the Golden Gate, and this beautiful little city is famed for its incredible nature and scenery. That makes it a haven for artists and the perfect place to host a major art event. The Sausalito Art Festival is a huge event at the end of summer on Labor Day Weekend. This festival brings thousands of attendees to the Sausalito waterfront to browse creations from some of the top artists in America.
The Sausalito Art Festival features over 260 award-winning artists from across the United States and is a long-running tradition that dates back more than 60 years. The event is juried, meaning the artists present have all been selected from a large pool due to their incredible skills. There are artists showing off creations in various genres, ranging from painting and mixed media to photography, fashion, sculpture, and more.
The Sausalito Art Festival includes live music, delicious food and drinks, and an opening night gala party. With talented artists and a lively atmosphere, it is an exciting occasion that is the ideal way to cap off a Bay Area summer.
Stern Grove Festival
The Stern Grove Festival is one of the best and longest-running summer traditions in San Francisco. This event began in 1938 and has continued to this day at the same location, the Sigmund Stern Grove. It is an outdoor music festival with free admission, the perfect place to enjoy a picnic with family or friends and watch a spectacular live show. The musical acts play on dates from June 12th-August 14th, so the festival runs throughout the summer.
Stern Grove attracts a huge amount of musical talent in various genres. This year, the primary headliners include Too $hort, Leann Rimes, Phil Lesh, Old Crow Medicine Show, and the San Francisco Symphony. All the shows are free, although the viewing area fills up quickly, so get there early if you want to be situated close to the stage. To attend the shows, you would need to make reservations online. Reservations open 12 days before each show.
Stern Grove Festival is a great San Francisco tradition that has been running since the 1930s and has always been a free event celebrating great musicians. It has a laid-back, pleasant atmosphere and occurs throughout the season. Stern Grove embodies what makes the Bay Area such a great place to enjoy summer.
