Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a one of a kind, annual, free music festival that takes place in iconic Golden Gate Park to the delight of over half a million fans.  This three day, multi stage event features an array of eclectic bands each year from roots and Americana, to funk, rock, soul and more.   In 2019 the Festival hosted over 80 bands on 6 stages.
 
Due to COVID 19, we will not be gathering in our usual Golden Gate Park for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass this year.  Instead, we are very eager to share new music and performances with the world via broadcast.  We are very excited to announce:  

Let the Music Play On
The Hardly Strictly broadcast coming to living rooms and backyards everywhere during the first weekend in October
Our broadcast will feature newly recorded performances from an amazing list of artists, along with archival footage from the festival’s past two decades, and memories from fans, performers, and staff.  We are encouraging our community to participate in this broadcast by sending us their favorite memories via stories, videos, and photos to memories@hardlystrictlybluegrass.org.  All contributions are welcome and appreciated, and will be considered for the broadcast in October. 
 
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is also very proud to announce that as part of this year’s offering it is launching a $1.5M charitable initiative to support the local music community during the COVID-19 pandemic; the Hardly Strictly Music Relief Fund: Bay Area.  We know that large gatherings will be some of the last parts of our economy to return and in the meantime artists and the industry have seen their livelihoods upended. With this effort, we seek to recognize, appreciate and care for the people who lend their creativity, heart and hard work to the American roots music community.  That includes artists, musicians, music venues and many others who are all critical to the Bay Area music ecosystem.  More information about our relief efforts can be found on the website. 
 
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements about the October broadcast including the artist lineup, and maybe even a few surprises along the way! 
​
Please note:  We are taking every precaution to protect our artists and crew from exposure to the pandemic. We continue to monitor the situation in all of our filming and broadcast locations,  including guidance from the CDC and expert health advisors, and are updating our protocol and our program in response to changing circumstances.

Stay tuned for more announcements!
Honoring the beautiful legacy of Warren and Chris Hellman, their four children, and directors of the Hellman Foundation, oversee the Festival and are guided by the mission and values that they have created for its impact.  
The History
This beloved community event came to be over a breakfast meeting with Warren Hellman in 2001.  At that point, Warren was simply interested in creating a venue for some of his favorite artists to perform and to offer an opportunity to see them as a gift to the city.   This event would be called Strictly Bluegrass.  

As time went on and the festival grew and wanted to incorporate more artists than just bluegrass, the festival adopted its current title of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.  The festival prides itself on being able to delight concertgoers with new and unexpected acts every year alongside annual favorites such as Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle.  

"This is the great gift of Warren Hellman, the one and only, to not only the City of San Francisco, but the world of music." - SF Chronicle