The Ultimate Outside Lands Festival Guide
Festival season is upon us, and the crown jewel of Bay Area music festivals is back! Outside Lands will return to San Francisco's Golden Gate Park August 8-10. From the music, to the food, to the outfits, Not on Stage is here to bring you all you need to know about attending the festival. With coverage from actual Bay Area residents, we have got you covered on the ins and outs, and how to have the best Outside Lands experience.
The Bands
Outside Lands is known for its massive lineup filled with genre-spanning acts that are sure to keep music lovers of all kinds entertained all weekend. From local DJs like DJ Umami to Grammy winning artists like Doechii and Tyler, the Creator, music lovers will have a chance to see their established favorites and a chance to discover lesser known artists who are sure to win their hearts. For additional Not On Stage coverage of the bands at Outside Lines, check out our Bay Area Artist Watch List, our Daily Lineup Preview, and our Photographer’s Must See Picks.
Getting There
Traffic in the city can be bad any weekend of the year, but with Outside Lands happening, expect major delays. If you’re staying closeby, your best bet is just to walk to the festival. You’ll already be spending the day on your feet, so what’s a few more blocks? If you are too far to walk, public transit is your best bet. BART reaches all over the Bay Area, so BART into the city, and then hop on MUNI to get you as close to Golden Gate Park as possible.
You can enter the festival via the Main Gate (on JFK near 30th Ave) or South Gate (on Middle Dr & Metson Rd), and there is a designated ADA Entrance at 36th Ave & JFK.
Outside Lands will also be offering pre-paid shuttle services that will pick up and drop off at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. This is right by a BART stop, so you can pop over to Bill Graham via BART then take a comfortable ride over to the festival.
If you’re planning to get dropped off or to use rideshare services, expect delays, road closures, and surge pricing to all be in effect.
Most importantly, do NOT plan to drive yourself to the festival. There is no parking at the festival grounds, and parking in the surrounding neighborhoods is extremely limited. It’s just not worth it. Buy a Clipper Card for public transit, or shell out the extra cash for a Shuttle, Lyft or Uber. It will make your travel to the festival so much easier.
The Food
This isn’t your usual festival food. The Bay Area is known for its varied cuisine, and this year, Outside Lands is pulling out all the stops to make sure music lovers from far and wide will get the chance to taste what we’re all about. With 90+ food vendors slated to be in attendance, there is sure to be something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a Bay Area classic like a burrito from Xolo Taqueria, or something more upscale like sashimi from Nobu, Outside Lands has a bit of everything. And the festival didn’t forget about vegan, vegetarian, halal, and gluten free music fans! Gone are the days of sad salads and french fries being the only options for folks with different diets. Outside Lands has tons of options no matter what you eat, and this food lineup will not leave anyone disappointed, or hungry!
Outside Lands | Taste of the Bay Area
While planning your perfect Outside Lands weekend, don’t forget to make your perfect foodie lineup as well. Go with a group for even more chances to grab small plates to share, to try as many of these local restaurants as possible!
What to Wear
San Francisco is known for being a little out there, so don’t be afraid to get wild with your looks! While you can never go wrong with shorts and a fun tee, you can definitely get away with something a little more daring if you’re looking to make a statement. That bright two-piece set you’ve been afraid to wear out, the hand painted hat you bought at a street fair then never wore? Now’s your chance to step out in your most fun fits. That being said, remember that this festival is not in the desert. San Francisco weather is notoriously unpredictable, so make sure to bring an extra layer or be prepared to tough it out when the evening sets get chilly. Those rainbow faux fur jackets aren’t just a fashion statement, they’re keeping everyone warm too!
And most importantly, as with pretty much any festival, your shoes are the most important thing. If you want outfit pictures with cute shoes, take them before you get there. You will be walking all over Golden Gate Park, and you do not want to be making the trek in boots that pinch your toes or heels you can barely balance in. Grab your comfiest sneakers, and just keep the shoes out of the fit pics if they’re ruining your aesthetic.
What to Bring
In a perfect world, attendees would be able to show up to the festival totally unburdened by a bunch of stuff to carry, but Outside Lands knows that’s unrealistic, so their bag policy is pretty generous. Backpacks and bags made of clear plastic, clear vinyl, or clear PVC; small bags, fanny-packs, and purses up to 6” x 8” x 3” (do not have to be clear); and empty dedicated hydration packs with a bladder capacity of under 2.5L/150 in. and no more than one additional pocket are permitted. Standard size backpacks with hydration bladders will not be permitted.
Courtesy: https://sfoutsidelands.com/info/
Once you’ve figured out your bag situation, here is what you’ll want to keep on hand at the festival:
An empty water bottle or hydration bladder - There will be stations all over the festival to refill.
Sunscreen - Even if it is foggy, remember that the rays are still getting to you. Put it on and reapply often.
Hand sanitizer/wipes
Charging packs for your phone
Your ID, Credit Card, and Clipper Card (if taking public transit)
A change of socks - It may seem ridiculous, but if they get damp or dirty, switching to a fresh pair will save your feet.
Ear Plugs - They may not seem cool, but take it from me, a concert photographer with hearing damage… ear protection is a MUST!
While it’s nice to feel prepared for anything, you don’t want to be weighed down by a bunch of stuff you won’t need or use. Try to stick to the essentials to keep your gear light.
Green Initiatives
No one does green like Outside Lands. Each year the festival works with Clean Vibes and San Francisco Department of the Environment to do their part to keep the festival as low-impact as possible when it comes to the environment. Outside Lands only uses 100% compostable single-use products, and has achieved the highest possible waste diversion rates of any festival in the country!
In 2024, Outside Lands diverted 89% of all waste from the landfill.
Total Waste Produced — 320,974 pounds (160.49 tons)
Total Waste Diverted — 284,514 pounds (142.26 tons)
Diversion Breakdown:
Compost - 95,460 pounds (47.73 tons)
Recycling/Reuse 189,054 pounds (94.53 tons)
Landfill 36,460 pounds (18.23 tons)
If you care about your environmental impact, you can feel good about the initiatives in place at Outside Lands.
Looking forward to the Festival
Outside Lands | 2024 Official Recap
Stay tuned in with Not On Stage for all the latest festival news and updates, and check out Outside Lands’ Official Ranger Handbook for how to have an outstanding Outside Lands!
