8 Bay Area Music Festivals You Don't Want to Miss This Summer

Whether you prefer huge multi-day music festivals or small, genre-specific, curated experiences, the Bay Area has no shortage of live music this summer.

And while Latin music festival La Onda and the jazz- and hip-hop-focused Black Radio Experience are canceled this year, new events like Total Accord Fest have popped up to celebrate the Bay Area’s wealth of diverse talent.

Below you’ll find our summer music festival picks, ranging from the free and budget-friendly to splurge-worthy experiences.

BottleRock After Dark

May 19–24
Various venues, Bay Area
$55–$357 per day

BottleRock, the Napa Valley festival with Foo Fighters, Backstreet Boys, Lorde, Sombr, Lil Wayne and Teddy Swims, is sold out. But the Napa Valley festival has two dozen After Dark concerts at venues in all corners of the Bay Area, each featuring an artist from its vast, intergenerational lineup. A few highlights: Ludacris headlines the Graton Resort in Rohnert Park on May 23, and synth-pop veterans Cut Copy take the stage at Berkeley’s UC Theatre on May 21. Southern rock sister duo Larkin Poe performs at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park on May 22. As of this writing, LCD Soundsystem’s After Dark show at Napa Music Hall on May 22 is sold out.

Total Accord Festival

June 3–20
Various venues, San Francisco
Free–$30 per day

For those looking to get to know the Bay Area’s independent music scene, the Total Accord Festival is a roadmap to the region’s homegrown artists, storied nightclubs and eclectic dives. Local talent agency Total Accord takes over San Francisco clubs starting June 3 at the Bottom of the Hill with local rockers For Horses. On June 7, electronic pop band The Seshen performs with experimental singer-songwriter Aroma at the Richmond District’s classic 4 Star Theatre. (The evening will features a drag show and premiere of Total Accord’s documentary.) Conga-forward dance-pop duo Brijean headlines the Rickshaw Stop on June 11, and R&B singer Elujay, rapper Lovey and Family Not a Group vocalist SundaY perform at The Independent on June 13. Each show costs less than $30, and a few of them are free.

Stern Grove Festival

June 14–Aug. 16
Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco
Free

Each summer, nearly 10,000 music fans fill the sloping, eucalyptus-lined hillside of Sigmund Stern Grove every Sunday for free live music. The concert series, now in its 89th year, gets underway on June 14 with Indian rock band Peter Cat Recording Co., followed by Colombian electro-pop outfit Bomba Estéreo on June 21. Dancehall-inspired EDM trio Major Lazer arrives with support from Richmond rapper Fijiana on July 5. Stern Grove concludes with its Big Picnic grand finale weekend, with Public Enemy headlining Aug. 15 and Al Green on Aug. 16. Although Stern Grove is free, fans must enter a lottery to secure tickets.

LakeFest

June 27
Lake Merritt, Oakland
$12–$23

LakeFest is the type of event where you can bring your friends, your toddler or your grandma — and actually, why not all of the above? The day of music and culture at Lake Merritt returns with headlining performances from R&B singers Vedo and Eric Bellinger, plus some top-tier East Bay rap talent: Mani Draper, Paris Nights and Mistah F.A.B. New at the festival this year is the Gospel Circle, a Christian-themed stage with a gospel choir “sing-off” competition, live music, stand-up comedy and more. Expect local vendors, barbecue and other delicious cuisine, all in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere.

4th of July Weekend Block Party

July 5
The Midway, San Francisco
$49–$149

Bay Area rap fans have a place to go dumb on Independence Day when Vallejo rap titan E-40 co-headlines a 4th of July bash at the Midway with “Hot In Herre” hitmaker Nelly. In addition to the chance to hear “Tell Me When To Go” and “Function” live, the party offers a stacked lineup of some of the Bay’s best DJs. Kehlani’s official selector Noodles will be behind the decks, along with the Valkyries’ own DJ Shellheart, the Warriors’ D-Sharp, Knowpa Slaps, DJ Mind Motion, Slowpoke and more.

Mosswood Meltdown

July 17–19
Mosswood Park, Oakland
$99–$129 per day

John Waters just celebrated his 80th birthday with a poppers-themed cake, so you know the filmmaker, provocateur and so-called “Pope of Trash” has no plans of slowing down. He returns to Oakland this July to host the punk festival Mosswood Meltdown, which kicks off via a Friday pre-party with indie rockers Pavement and Vivian Girls. The fun continues Saturday with sets from the 79-year-old “godfather of Punk” Iggy Pop, plus Japan’s Otoboke Beaver and Philly’s Mannequin Pussy. Riot grrrl icons Bikini Kill headline Sunday, after sets from the Return of Jackie and Judy (Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein’s Ramones tribute band), the Dead Milkmen and more.

Outside Lands

Aug. 7–9
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
$269+ per day

Outside Lands is one of the Bay Area’s most popular festivals, in part because of its range. This year, pop it-girls Charli XCX and PinkPantheress share the stage with rap stars like GloRilla and Baby Keem, and buzzy rock bands Wet Leg, Turnstile and Geese. The Strokes, the XX and Modest Mouse offer a dose of indie nostalgia; Mariah the Scientist, Kwn and Destin Conrad represent the new school of R&B; and rap veterans Clipse promise razor-sharp lyrical prowess. On top of the packed musical lineup, Outside Lands also has a wealth of food, beverage and cannabis options, an open-air queer nightclub with drag shows and even a wedding chapel.

SF Bay Popfest

Aug. 20–23
Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco
$20–$30 per day

San Francisco’s Bottom of the Hill has been a proving ground for new talent for 35 years; Oasis, Lizzo and Alanis Morissette all played the charmingly divey nightclub before they blew up. Unfortunately, as the surrounding neighborhood changes, it’ll close its doors for the final time at the end of this year. Before the venue says goodbye, it has a packed calendar of shows, including SF Bay Popfest. The mini festival features four days of stacked indie rock, punk and pop acts, including the Aislers Set, Tony Molina, Dear Nora, The Umbrellas, Paper Jam and many more.