Scenes From The First Stern Grove Concert in Almost Two Whole Years

There has not been a free Sunday concert at Sigmund Stern Grove since August 18, 2019, when the Isley Brothers played there 22 months ago. But Stern Grove concerts are back for 2021, and Ledisi kicked off the 2021 free concert series Sunday. If you weren’t able to make it, here are some videos and pictures of the Stern Grove Festival’s glorious return.

Nature was healin’, and Ledisi played “Knockin’” in the video seen above. The festival is planning to livestream each of the concerts this year on the Stern Grove website, though you have to register in advance to watch the livestreams.

3,000 pack Sigmund #SternGrove for return of concerts with #Ledisi | @sterngrovefest @ledisi ✏️&📸: @domenicstrazz & me https://t.co/VXt1MGS197

— Roman Gokhman (@RomiTheWriter) June 21, 2021

Mayor Breed was on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick things back off. Unlike most years, you should not arrive at Stern Grove ridiculously early in the morning. They will not let you in until 12 Noon as part of this year’s new COVID-19 protocols.  

#sterngrove so long… pic.twitter.com/LCQW1yO5aK

— John Liu (@johnliucn925) June 20, 2021

There is also a much smaller capacity limit of just 3,500 this year, because of capacity limits that are still in effect, even for outdoor events. The normal capacity of a Stern Grove concert is 10,000 people.

Bay Area band The Seshen also performed, and reggae-hip hop artist La Doña provided the opening act as seen above.

Please help us keep the Grove beautiful. ❤️ #Comebackevengreener #sfthingtodo #reuseisthefuture #pavingthewayforotherevents#zerowasteevents pic.twitter.com/VH7BTv4cYR

— Stern Grove Festival (@sterngrovefest) June 18, 2021

The Stern Grove Festival works a little differently this year, as reservations are required for everyone — not just the fancy VIP tables. You have to register two Tuesdays before the show; that is, on the Tuesday that is 13 day before the show you want to watch. In other words, you have to register on Tuesday, June 22 to see the July 4 San Francisco Symphony show, or Tuesday, June 29 for the July 11 Thievery Corporation Show, and so on.

Here is the full 2021 Stern Grove Festival schedule.