Buskers are back at Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is officially open to buskers again.

Licensed buskers can now reserve three-hour slots to perform in the park on weekends starting Saturday, Oct. 7, the Recreation and Park Department announced.

“The goal is to create an environment that encourages & supports local artists while adding to the vibrancy of the park,” according to the callout posted Thursday, Oct. 5.

Licensed buskers can sign up to perform between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at seven locations via the Park Department’s website. The agency launched the program in 2022 to offer musicians who previously faced hefty fines for playing in the park a structured signup system that would ensure they could perform without concerns about permits or disruptions.

“We are really excited about Busking in Golden Gate Park,” Phil Ginsburg, the general manager of the park department, said in a statement when the program started last year. “This is a great way to enhance arts and culture for park visitors while giving visibility to emerging performers. There will be loads of talent in the park, with a bit of structure to keep all the other activities running smoothly.”

For the program, busking is defined strictly as playing music in a public area for entertainment and voluntary donations. It does not include personal services, creation of visual art, handcrafts or other activities regulated by the city’s health department.

While amplified sound is not allowed, the park has established designated open mic areas with amplifiers at the 14th Avenue East Picnic Area and along JFK Promenade.

Aspiring buskers can apply for licenses on the Recreation and Park Department website. The fee, waived in the first year the program launched to aid in pandemic recovery, is $76 a year.