Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Reveals Initial 2025 25th Anniversary Lineup

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will celebrate its silver anniversary in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park between Friday, October 3 and Sunday, October 5. Organizers of the free three-day music festival have announced the initial 2025 lineup led by Lucinda Williams, The String Cheese Incident and Courtney Barnett.

The first round of this year’s eclectic bill also features The Reverend Horton Heat, Samara Joy, Watchhouse, Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, Dan Tyminski Band, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band and Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes.

In keeping with a long-standing tradition, today’s announcement was teased with a medley posted on the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass app and website. Stay tuned for additional medleys and HSB artist confirmations.

“For 25 years, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has been a testament to the power of music to bring people together—free, inclusive, and rooted in the spirit of community,” stated HSB co-founder and executive producer Sheri Sternberg. “What started as a humble celebration of bluegrass has grown into a beloved San Francisco tradition that honors the past while embracing the future. We’re proud to carry forward the legacy of Warren Hellman and look forward to gathering once again in Golden Gate Park for a weekend of unforgettable music.”

The 25th anniversary weekend celebration will begin on Thursday, October 2 with a special, sold-out, all-star benefit concert honoring Emmylou Harris at San Francisco’s The Masonic. Emmylou Harris is the only artist to perform at each and every Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival.

A series of “Out Of The Park” concerts will take place at venues across the Bay Area to benefit Sweet Relief, Bay Area Musicians’ Fund. The nighttime shows feature several of the artists listed on the initial lineup, including The String Cheese Incident at The Fillmore on October 4, Watchhouse at The UC Theatre on October 4, Josh Ritter at The Chapel on October 3 and Dan Tyminski at Sweetwater Music Hall on October 3.