42nd Annual Union Street Music Festival
I can hear you now. “When,” you are asking, in a sincere and slightly pleading voice, “when will the 42nd Annual Union Street Music Festival return to San Francisco so that I can both save money and enjoy some of the best in bluegrass, jazz, and country that the Bay Area has to offer?” This question is one of the hallmarks of Summer, and every year those in the know look for details to start emerging around the Union Street Music Festival so that they can plan accordingly.
The wait is over, dear traveler! As of today, I can safely say that the 42nd Annual Union Street Music Festival will indeed be returning to Union Street, one of the many of San Francisco’s hearts. This year, the dates are June 2nd and June 3rd, and although it might seem that two days is not enough to fully plunge into the sonic wonders offered by the Union Street Jazz Festival, let me reassure you by saying that the festival’s organizers have made sure to pack this year’s event with much more than two days worth of activities.
You will find yourself wandering down a swath of Union Street that goes from Gough to Fillmore, passing by some of San Francisco’s most beautiful and historic sights while your ears are filled with the sweet musical stylings of some of the bay area’s best entertainment. The Union Street Music Festival prides itself on being one of the Bay Area’s biggest free events that takes place every year, and at five blocks of music by over 20 bands it is hard to disagree.
As well as the musicians (who will be performing original works as well as covers of classics, standards, and favorites), the Union Street Music Festival will also feature plenty of booths by local artists, food and drink vendors, craftspeople, and groups working to enhance the community. You can spend the whole weekend just within these five blocks and find yourself full of good food, good beer or wine, and foot-tappin’, soul-huggin’ music.
Each day of the weekend, the Union Street Music Festival will run from 10:00 in the morning until 6:00 at night. It is—hallelujah—absolutely free.