FAQ
Stern Grove Festival is a celebration of music, community, and joy—and we want everyone to feel safe and welcome. Please familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct to understand the values we ask all guests to uphold while enjoying the Grove.
Ticketing Info
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Each concert has its own separate lottery, so you’ll need to register individually for every show you’d like to attend. Your chances aren’t affected by whether you’ve won or lost in a previous lottery—every entry is a fresh start!
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You’re welcome to send your ticket to a friend–just forward them the PDF with the unique QR code. As long as they have that code, they’ll be able to get in without any trouble.
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Children 3 and older need a ticket
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The lottery is completely random, and your answers to demographic questions don’t affect your chances of being selected. We’re proud to keep the Festival free for everyone, and part of how we’re able to do that is through support from funders who ask us to collect some general demographic info.
That said, if you're ever uncomfortable answering any of those questions, you're welcome to select "Prefer not to state." Your privacy and trust are important to us–and again, none of this has any impact on your odds in the lottery.
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Here’s the deal - We wish we lived in a world where there were no restrictions to get into a large-scale event.
However, as responsible event producers, your safety is our priority and we work to ensure our venue is secure in a multitude of ways:
Having a perimeter that we can monitor and close if capacity is reached
Requiring tickets for entry is necessary to control crowd size and allows us to communicate with you in the event something changes
We are required to obtain permits and insurance and both of those require the approval of crowd management processes and security scans.
Additionally, many of the artists we book require private soundchecks, which occur the morning of the show.
In recent years, demand has greatly exceeded our permitted capacity of 10,000 people.
Reserved Tables
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Individual reserved seats and full picnic tables for 10 guests are available now! You can visit each show page to choose your table type and secure your spot. If you have any questions, you can email development@sterngrove.org or call 415-625-6006.
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All table reservations are considered donations that help keep Stern Grove Festival free for everyone. This year’s reservation options are:
$200 – Community Table Seat (seats 1)
A reserved seat at one of our shared Community Tables, with expedited check-in included. It’s a great way to enjoy the show solo or with a friend—your table neighbor might just become your new concert buddy!
We also offer full tables for up to 10 guests:
$2,000 – Standard Table (seats 10): Includes a reserved table, expedited check-in, and 3 parking passes for our Upper Lot.
$4,000 – Premium Table (seats 10): Our best views of the stage, plus: customizable picnic lunch boxes, beer/wine/non-alcoholic beverages, welcome drinks in the historic Trocadero Clubhouse, expedited check-in, and 3 parking passes for our Backstage Lot.
Tables can be reserved by making a donation through each show’s page. Please note: Prices increase during our Big Picnic Weekend due to elevated production and hospitality offerings: valet parking, gourmet catering, a hosted VIP lounge, and more for table guests.
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While we’re not able to offer a map-based selection process, all tables are located in prime viewing areas in front of the stage, without obstruction. Tables are assigned by our team based on availability, table level (Standard or Premium), date of reservation, and any accessibility needs.
Table layouts may shift from concert to concert depending on artist production needs and audience demand, so locations may vary throughout the season.
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Our policy is similar to an airline: an infant held in someone’s arms for the duration of the concert does not count toward your seat count. But any baby, toddler, or child who will need their own seat or space at the table does need to be included in your guest list.
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Additional tables may be released closer to the concert date. You can reach out to us at development@sterngrove.org to be placed on a waitlist and we will contact you if tables become available.
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Stern Grove Festival remains completely free and open to the public, thanks to the generosity of our community. The limited reserved donor tables help make that possible.
These tables are part of our fundraising efforts, allowing us to produce world-class concerts, care for the Grove, and keep admission free for everyone else. Donor support covers the true cost of each show, which is around$40 per person per concert.
So while 95% of seating remains open and free, these tables offer a way for supporters to contribute in order to keep the music playing for everyone.
Festival guidelines
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No. Smoking is prohibited at Stern Grove Festival.
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Service or support animals are allowed. Well-behaved and leashed pets are allowed in the West Meadow.
Food & Drink
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Yes! Stern Grove is a BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic) festival. Feel free to bring your own snacks and, if you’re 21+, your favorite adult beverages. Just no barbecues, please… we are in a grove, after all.
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Yes, we’ve got you covered. Grab a bite from Tante’s in the Esplanade or check out the rotating lineup of food trucks in the West Meadow (menus drop weekly on our socials). And no need to haul in your own cooler, either. Our bars are stocked with beer, wine, and more, with every sip supporting the Festival.
Other
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Absolutely! Volunteering with Stern Grove is a great way to support the Festival and be part of what makes it all happen. From greeting guests to helping with sustainability efforts, volunteers play a key role in keeping the Festival running smoothly. Plus you get two General Admission tickets to a future show! Learn more and sign up here.
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It happens! If you left something behind, fill out this form and we’ll do our best to reunite you with your lost item. Our team reviews submissions regularly and will reach out if it turns up.
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Yes! In fact we encourage it!
We have a Bike Valet located at 21st and Wawona. Come on your 2 wheels and we’ll take care of bike during the show.
Bike valet is open from 11am to 1 hour after the show.
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Now with increased service!
Shuttle service is available for seniors and guests requiring ADA accommodations, plus one (1) companion.
Pickup Locations (Inbound):
Shuttles to the seating area now run from three locations:19th Ave & Sloat Blvd
Vale Ave & Crestlake Dr
20th Ave & Wawona St
All inbound shuttles drop off at the Vale Avenue Entrance.
All outbound shuttles depart from the Vale Avenue Entrance.
Hours of Operation:
11:00 AM – 5:30 PMWhat’s new—and why:
Faster service to reduce wait times
Quicker access away from 19th & Sloat
Improved pre-show experience while waiting for the Concert Meadow to open
Additional restroom access near pickup areas
Better emergency access for medical and fire services in seating areas
Got questions?
Stern Grove Festival is a one-of-a-kind experience, and we want to make sure you’re ready to enjoy every moment. If you don’t see what you’re looking for here, click here for more information.
