Organizers of the annual Outside Lands Music Festival have revealed the lineup for the festival’s return to Golden Gate Park in 2026. Headliners include Charli XCX, Rufus Du Sol and The Strokes, but queer fans already know where to look.
The festival will run for three days from August 7th to August 9th and will mark its 18th edition in San Francisco. Nearly 90 artists are scheduled to perform, but organizers say the lineup is subject to change. Loyalty Presale and Chase Cardmember Presale tickets will go on sale at noon on March 3rd, followed by general sale on March 5th.
Beyond the big-name names, this year’s bill includes names you’ll definitely see on Gay’s mandatory pregame playlist. Here are the queer and LGBTQ-friendly artists who are making Outside Lands 2026 one of the best editions yet.
Charli XCX
Fresh from a cultural change era that blurred the lines between club-kid grunge and pop supremacy, Charli XCX arrives at Outside Lands with sustained momentum. After turning “Brat” into shorthand for summer brands and headlines, she has continued to expand her influence through organizing global festivals and, most recently, a successful mockumentary called “The Moment.”
Charlie has a deep connection with LGBTQ viewers. She’s always been a fierce advocate and friend of the community, frequently collaborating with queer talent like Christine and the Queens and Troye Sivan (have you ever lived under a rock? You should know!).
Trixie Mattel
When Trixie Mattel steps behind the DJ booth at Outside Lands, she won’t just be filling a slot, she’ll be introducing the gayest party Golden Gate Park has ever seen. What started as a pandemic-era livestream mix has evolved into a global dance event, complete with costume changes, pre-recorded visuals, and carefully selected pop edits. The show is structured, but the goal is simple. It’s about giving people a few hours to unplug and move their bodies.
She proved she can scale that energy when she opened for Chapel Lawn on their “Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things” tour in Pasadena in October 2025. Her high-impact DJ sets, often featuring local drag performers, set the tone for the sold-out LA-area crowd and quickly became the highlight of the night. If this run is any indication, San Francisco can expect some frenetic performances, part spectacle, part dance marathon, and head-to-toe pink, built for the festival grounds.
Tinashe
Since bursting onto the scene with “2 On” in 2014, Tinashe has continued to make an impressive mark in the R&B music field. Since then, she has quietly built one of the most consistent catalogs in modern R&B pop. Independent and autonomous, she has refined her sound over the past few years, with direct control over visuals and touring.
Her recent projects lean toward slick production and sharp choreography, the kind of performances built for festival stages (you better get ready to gyrate to “Nasty!”). Tinashe has long embraced a queer fan base, and that loyalty tends to resonate louder when the bass hits. With Disco Lines also included in the lineup, could we see a surprise performance of Disco Lines’ iconic remix of ‘No Broke Boys’? Only time will tell!
ethel kane
Some are festival sets, some are experiences. Ethel Caine made a cultural impact in 2022 preacher’s daughtera Southern Gothic epic that weaves religious trauma, doomed romance, and American mythology with operatic intensity. This album lingers long after it’s over (if you’ve never driven to PCH with the windows wide open and listening to “American Teenager”, I highly recommend doing so; it’ll breathe new life into your veins). As a transgender artist and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Kane’s stage presence brings added weight and expression, making her performance in Golden Gate Park a beautiful expression of love and allyship.
Her recent prequel project, Willoughby Tucker, I love you forever.has only deepened their legend, bringing fan favorites like “Dust Bowl” and “Nettles” to stages across the country with official releases. Live, those songs extend beyond the recording. Backlit in the haze, Kane often seems more like a ghost of her own mythology than a frontwoman, her vocals cutting through the darkness with startling clarity. Already setting records as the first openly transgender musician to have a Top 10 album on the Billboard charts, Kane’s presence on Outside Lands promises a spectacular and essential performance for LGBTQ+ fans.
jade
JADE is also bringing his energetic pop skills to Golden Gate Park, and he’s doing so with a clear sense of purpose. After her departure from the iconic pop group Little Mix, she ventured into solo stardom. That’s showbiz babya perfect blend of Motown, disco, synthpop, hyperpop, and Y2K-era hooks (seriously, you need to hear the full album. Don’t fall asleep on JADE!). Beneath the shine lies a sharp critique of predatory contracts, impossible standards for women, and the music industry’s relentless pressure. Outside Lands allows JADE to showcase the full extent of her artistry, and hopefully she can begin to get the recognition and praise she deserves within the United States.
But she brings more than just spectacle. JADE has long used her platform as a pop icon to uplift the LGBTQ+ community. From celebrating trans life in her solo debut on BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend wearing a custom tartan outfit featuring trans pride colors to calling out anti-LGBTQ+ behavior in the industry, she has consistently combined her art with advocacy. Whether she’s leading pro-trans chants at festivals or challenging the silence of fellow pop stars, Jade’s commitment to queer visibility is as impactful as her live shows. Combining her signature choreography with her flawless vocals, her Outside Lands set promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Durand Bernard
After a milestone year that solidified his status as an emerging force in R&B, Durand Bernhardt brings his electrifying vocals and infectious energy to Outside Lands. He just won his first Grammy Award. bloom (Check out his iconic icon Award speechit will bring a smile to your face), Bernard has proven that his artistry is as charming as he is technically brilliant. Born and raised in Cleveland, he honed his craft in church choirs, on stage at the Cullum House Theater, and at open mic nights, cultivating a blend of gospel-infused soul and contemporary R&B that feels both intimate and grandiose.
Bernard’s performances are rooted in authenticity and joy, and he is committed to uplifting the Black and LGBTQ+ communities at the center of his stories. Critics celebrated his Grammy win as an explosion of black queer pride, and fellow artists and fans alike hailed it as a collective victory. Expect the same charisma from Outside Lands. Their set combines flawless vocals, gospel energy, and frenetic showmanship to leave a lasting impression beyond the Golden Gate Park stage.
Destin Conrad
After taking 2025 by storm, Destin Conrad brings his heartfelt, genre-blurring R&B to Outside Lands. Just a few months after the release of their debut album digital lovefollowed by Conrad. capriciousa jazz-infused project that proved his versatility and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album. Known for his smooth vocals and straightforward lyricism, his artistry has proven far beyond his early viral fame on Vine. On Vine, his playful sketches and singing clips first introduced him to millions of followers.
Expression is what drives Conrad’s music. From videos like “Kissing In Public” to full-length releases, he’s brought queer love and authentic storytelling to the forefront, filling an often-vacant space in pop and R&B. “I want to put my true self forward as much as possible,” he said. new wave magazine.
Lucy Dacus
Lucy Dacus brings her signature introspective indie rock to Outside Lands, blending stripped-down textures and emotionally resonant storytelling. Known for his acoustic-heavy songwriting, Dacus has carved out a space for intimate, vulnerable performances that explore love, connection, and self-discovery. including her solo album, Eternity is a feelingand her work with Voisinius alongside Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker showcases her talent for creating rich harmonies and straightforward lyrics with lingering final notes.
Dacus’ artistry is inseparable from her identity as a queer musician. Openly gay and passionate about authentic storytelling, she brings love and vulnerability to the forefront in ways that resonate with LGBTQ+ audiences. In 2025, she confirmed her relationship with bandmate Julien Baker, and currently the couple lives together in Los Angeles, sharing both their personal life and creative inspiration. Her songs are often born from reflective moments on the road or at home, and that intimacy continues in her live performances. On Outside Lands, fans can expect a set that balances acoustic warmth with emotional intensity, celebrating queer love and connection as powerfully as Dacus’ songwriting itself.
wide range of festivals
Outside Lands 2026 will also feature The xx, Baby Keem, Turnstile, Empire of the Sun, Dijon, and many more. Death Cab for Cutie will perform both early afternoon and evening sets.
Organizers expect to announce the daily schedule near August. Attending more than 200,000 people each year, the festival is a cornerstone of San Francisco’s live music calendar.
Golden Gate Park may be known for its fog, but it can shine in August.
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
