Official site of Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

Free outdoor performing arts in downtown San Francisco

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Thursday Lunchtime

Photo of Anita Lofton at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

Held outdoors on Thursday afternoons, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival’s Thursday Lunchtime Concerts are the perfect mid-week refresher.

Jump tp Thursday Lunchtime Calendar

From May to October, the Thursday Lunchtime series features artists carving out their own niches in the world of music and dance. While international and touring artists perform in the Lunchtime Series, many homegrown Bay Area artists view Yerba Buena Gardens as the perfect venue for new works. These fantastic performers are exploring new depths in jazz, blues, soul, classical, world, swing, salsa, modern dance and more!

Always free, fresh and outdoors, Thursday Lunchtime programs are a great way to reinvigorate the day. Downtown office workers, neighborhood groups, students and even out-of-towners needing a break from the city’s hustle and bustle come down to the Gardens with lunch in hand. Then, stroll through Yerba Buena Gardens for a jolt of fresh air, art and inspiration.

Past Thursday Lunchtime artists include:

  • Community Music Center for Older Adult Choirs
  • Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco
  • LINES Dance Center
  • The Jenny Lind Concert from Sweden

Credit: www.kelseyogdenfilmandphoto.com

What people are saying about the Thursday Lunchtime Series…

  • I loved it! Such a beautiful way to spend the day – outdoors in the community with live music. So healing.
  • Great opportunity to hear international talent.
  • This series is part of what makes San Francisco great!
Credit: www.kelseyogdenfilmandphoto.com

Check out all of the incredible artists performing at upcoming Thursday Lunchtime Concerts listed below.

Mark your calendars and make your Thursdays FREE, OUTDOORS and FRESH!

What to expect at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival…

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival occurs each year from May through October in Downtown San Francisco. As always, these excellent performances are FREE, outdoors, and ADA-accessible to be enjoyed by all. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival features open-air lawn seating. Please be dressed for San Francisco weather – chair seating is limited, but picnics and low-lawn chairs are welcome. For Park Rules and Regulations, please refer to Yerba Buena Gardens Management’s website.

Thursday Lunchtime Concerts performances begin promptly at 12:30pm (unless noted otherwise), so plan ahead and arrive early! Performances are approximately 60 minutes long, at Yerba Buena Gardens on Mission Street between Third and Fourth Streets, San Francisco. Yerba Buena Gardens is conveniently located near Montgomery & Powell BART stations, and several MUNI lines. See detailed information on the Visitor Map.

Looking for a yummy place to eat or a museum to explore? Find out more on the Visitor Information page.

Thursday Lunchtime Calendar

13 programs found.

Programs

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  • May 2026

  • Thu 21
    Larry (left), in a blue button down shirt and a cowboy hat. Standing beside him is, Joe (right), wearing a white and blue western button down shirt, blue jeans and glasses
    Thu, May 21, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    Larry & Joe

    Thu 28
    Seven adult choir members performing in front of a seated crowd
    Thu, May 28, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    Community Music Center Neighborhood Choirs

  • June 2026

  • Thu 11
    Camellia Boutros looking down, playing red and white electric oud, along with other band members playing on dimly light indoor stage.
    Thu, Jun 11, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    Camellia Boutros

    Thu 25
    Members of Orquesta La Moderna Tradición playing instruments and singing into microphones on a stage.
    Thu, Jun 25, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    Orquesta La Moderna Tradición

  • July 2026

  • Thu 2
    Destiny in a Victorian Era dress, sitting beside her brown floor harp
    Thu, Jul 2, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    Destiny Muhammad Trio

    Thu 9
    Mae in a white top under a tan blazer, holding up a bunch of white flowers on each side of her head
    Thu, Jul 9, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    Mae Powell

    Thu 16
    a group of 6 musicians wearing white, smiling shoulder to shoulder with a crowd in the background
    Thu, Jul 16, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    LA GENTE SF

    Thu 23
    four taiko drummers performing on stage
    Thu, Jul 23, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    Iwa Daiko

    Thu 30
    Musical band Mare performing on an outdoor cement stage, covered by a white tent that says "Yerba Buena Gardens Festival"
    Thu, Jul 30, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    WAM Presents: Local Sirens

  • August 2026

  • Thu 6
    Fely in a white gown posing in front of the Palace of Fine Arts
    Thu, Aug 6, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    AfroSolo Presents: Fely Tchaco

    Thu 13
    A collage of the musician's portraits: to the left, Allesandro playing his 7-string guitar; to the right, Alexandre posing with his clarinet
    Thu, Aug 13, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    Brazil in the Gardens: Alexandre Ribeiro and Alessandro Penezzi

  • October 2026

  • Thu 8
    5 members of Quinteto Latino, front-facing, each smiling, some holding an instrument, standing in front of a white backdrop
    Thu, Oct 8, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    Quinteto Latino

    Thu 15
    a close-up of Richard playing his saxophone
    Thu, Oct 15, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    Richard Howell’s John Coltrane Tribute

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A guest on traditional, unceded Ramaytush Ohlone Land.
VENUE: Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between 3rd and 4th Sts., San Francisco
OFFICE: Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, 760 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94103
PHONE: (415) 543-1718

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