The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival programs free outdoor performances on the Great Lawn at Yerba Buena Gardens, in SoMa between Third and Fourth Streets off Mission. The 2026 season runs from spring through October, and every program is admission free.
What Is Programmed
The festival runs several recurring series. Thursday Lunchtime brings a midday concert from 12:30 to 1:30pm. Children’s Garden shows run Friday mornings at 11am and noon. Dance Outdoors with Rhythm and Motion runs Wednesdays from noon to 1pm. Weekend Sessions carry the larger afternoon events, and Poetic Tuesdays cover spoken word.
Coming Up This Summer
Late July and August include Iwa Daiko on Thursday, July 23; the Bhangra and Beats Night Market on Friday, July 24, from 4 to 9pm; ChoreoFest across Saturday, July 25 and Saturday, August 1; Color Your Mind on Sunday, August 2; and Pistahan, the Filipino cultural festival, across Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 from 11am to 5pm. Edgardo Cambon marks a 40th anniversary on Thursday, August 6 at 6pm, and Helado Tropical plays Saturday, August 15. See our Pistahan guide for the parade route and pavilions.
The season continues into the fall with a Yerba Buena Movie Night screening on September 5, the African Arts Festival on October 3, and Litquake Out Loud on October 4.
Visiting
Where: Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission Street between Third and Fourth Streets
Cost: Free. Seating on the lawn is first come, first served, and most people bring a blanket. Full program times are listed on the festival calendar, which changes as acts are added.
More Free Music in San Francisco
Yerba Buena Gardens is one of several free outdoor series running through the summer. See our guide to free outdoor summer concerts in San Francisco for the Stern Grove Festival, the Golden Gate Park Band, and Sunday Streets, including how the free ticket lotteries work.
Getting There
Yerba Buena Gardens is two blocks from the Powell Street and Montgomery Street stations, served by BART and Muni Metro. Market Street bus lines stop within a few blocks. Several garages serve the area, including the Fifth and Mission garage. Check SFMTA for current routes.
