Hardly Strictly Bluegrass adds Mavis Staples and Los Lobos to 2026 lineup

The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival has announced its third round of artists for the 2026 edition, scheduled to take place from October 2 to October 4 at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. New additions to the lineup include Mavis Staples, Los Lobos, Lukas Nelson, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, and Tift Merritt.

The free festival features a diverse range of genres beyond bluegrass. Previously announced performers include Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss & Union Station, and My Morning Jacket. The event will begin with a special benefit concert on October 1 at The Masonic to honor Steve Earle, who has performed at the festival annually since 2002.

Organizers noted that the festival will also feature a performance by Ron Thomason as a tribute to the late festival founder, Warren Hellman.