Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival

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MusicSan Francisco
Dates7–9 August 2026Confirmed listing
Duration3 daysListed event span
CrowdLargeAbout 225,000 people
Best forLive music, late nightsThe festival takes its name from Outside
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in San Francisco

Outside Lands fills 80 acres of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park for three days each August with music spanning rock, hip-hop, and electronic acts alongside a heavy focus on Bay Area food, wine, beer, and cannabis. Founded in 2008 by Another Planet Entertainment, Starr Hill Presents, and Superfly, it is now the largest independently owned music festival in the United States.

When promoters Another Planet Entertainment, Starr Hill Presents, and Superfly launched a new music festival in 2008, they chose to root it explicitly in San Francisco rather than build a generic touring brand.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival takes its name from Outside Lands, an 1800s-era nickname for San Francisco's then-undeveloped western neighborhoods surrounding Golden Gate Park, and organizers have built the event around that local identity rather than a generic festival brand

02

The mystery stays covered

Stages carry names drawn from actual San Francisco landmarks, including Lands End, Twin Peaks, the Panhandle, and the Presidio, tying the physical festival layout to the city's geography

03

The city starts moving

Unlike festivals that bring in national food-truck circuits, Outside Lands sources its food vendors entirely from Bay Area restaurants, more than ninety in recent years including Michelin-starred kitchens, making the culinary lineup as locally rooted as the music booking

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Outside Lands draws on San Francisco's long association with counterculture music festivals while formally honoring the city's own geography and food culture

Water and renewal

Living ritual

rather than importing a festival format from elsewhere

The sacred route

Living ritual

Its cannabis area reflects the city's role in California cannabis culture following state legalization

The local code

Living ritual

incorporated into festival programming since 2018

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

7–9 August 2026

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of San Francisco you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Layered clothing is essential given San Francisco's characteristic August fog and wind, which can make Golden Gate Park considerably cooler than expected; comfortable closed-toe shoes suit...

Safety

At Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival runs late.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map37.77 N, 122.42 WOpen in Google Maps

San Francisco, CA

Nearest airportSFO — San Francisco
TransportStay close enough to the part of San Francisco you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to San Francisco via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near San Francisco, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearLayered clothing is essential given San Francisco's characteristic August fog and wind, which can make Golden Gate Park considerably cooler than expected; comfortable closed-toe shoes suit the park's grass and dirt paths.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival?

Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival is listed for 7–9 August 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival take place?

The festival is listed in San Francisco, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

San Francisco, CA

How big is it?

Large: 225000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLsfoutsidelands.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates7–9 August 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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