How to Experience Stern Grove's 2024 Summer Concert Series

The History of Stern Grove

Today, Stern Grove, a natural amphitheater surrounded by giant eucalyptus, redwood, and fir trees, is one of Northern California’s favorite concert sites. But it wasn't always like this. Back in the 1840s, it was just a wild stretch of sand dunes and marshes. George Greene and his family are the first known San Franciscans to tame this patch of land.

Decades later, in 1931, the land was purchased by Rosalie M. Stern, who gifted it to the city in memory of her husband, Sigmund. Mrs. Stern declared that the site must be preserved as a park in which the public could enjoy free music, dance, and theater performances. Nearly 90 years later, her promise has been upheld!

All proceeds of Stern Grove Festival concerts benefit the continuation of this special tradition.

How to Visit

Admission to each concert will remain free to the public, but tickets must be acquired online in advance. At 2:00 p.m. 12 days before each event, an online portal will be opened through www.sterngrove.org to offer free passes on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Guests are welcome to bring their food and beverages to enjoy.

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Concert Dates & Performers

All concerts for the 2024 season will begin at 2 p.m. Performers are subject to change without notice.

June 23

The 2024 season kicks off with Tegan and Sara, a Canadian indie pop duo made up of twin sisters Tegan and Sara Quin. Recognized globally for their unique harmonies and introspective lyrics, their music delves into themes of love, identity, and personal growth.

June 30

Chicano Batman, an LA-based band, has a highly creative musical imagination. Their prismatic musicality is infused with soulful yet unflinching honesty in their lyrics.

July 7

The San Francisco Symphony, under the leadership of Conductor Edwin Outwater, will be performing a program that includes Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Symphony No. 41", "Jupiter", and Aaron Copland's "An Outdoor Overture". The performance will also feature Broadway star Jessica Vosk, who will be singing a selection of songs inspired by California.

July 14

The Commodores, celebrated for their R&B classics such as "Just to Be Close to You," "Easy," and "Brickhouse," stood as one of Motown's premier bands, boasting a repertoire that included over 50 albums and numerous chart-toppers.

July 21

Masego is an artist who combines introspection with extroversion, love with humor, and skilled musical technique. You may know him from the hit song, "Tadow". 

July 28

Franc Moody has become widely popular among their fans through their soul, funk, and cosmic disco sound, which they have showcased across several EP projects and their debut album released in 2020.

August 4

Alex G is the stage alias of Alex Giannascoli, a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who built his reputation with intimate lo-fi pop that combines strong melodic sensibilities with a ragged, impulsive-sounding performance style.

August 11

Herbie Hancock is a pioneering figure who helped create a groundbreaking sound in jazz. In the 1970s, he released record-breaking albums that combined electric jazz with funk and rock. He also ventured into electronic dance sounds with "Rockit" and "Future Shock" while continuing to work in an acoustic setting with V.S.O.P.

August 18

Lucinda Williams is a celebrated singer/songwriter known for her fiercely independent music style. Blues, folk, country, and rock inspire her unpretentious yet emotionally powerful lyrics. Despite being compared to other musicians, her execution and performance are in a class of their own.

August 24 & 25 - The Big Picnic

This year's season finale will be bigger and better than you have ever experienced! For the first time ever, The Big Picnic, the festival's annual end-of-season fundraising event, will span two days. This event is key to Stern Grove's success and helps support its mission of providing free concerts and arts education programs. 

August 24 - Sylvan Esso and Poolside

Sylvan Esso is an indie-electronic duo renowned for their captivating blend of catchy melodies, intricate beats, and soulful vocals. The duo seamlessly merges folk-inspired lyricism with pulsating electronic rhythms, creating a sound that is both infectious and thought-provoking.

In 2011, Poolside set out to produce appropriately chill music for summer soirees, a light but danceable kind of music with sunny vibes and liquid rhythm that he dubbed "Daytime Disco."

August 25 - Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan defines what it means to be an icon. The world celebrated her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, marking an incredible 50 years of musical excellence. Honored with 10 Grammy Awards, her hits have transcended music genres, embodying the essence of pop, soul, jazz, gospel, classical, and funk.