FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

When is BYOQ?
Saturday, September 9, 2017 from 12PM to 6PM. BYOQ usually takes place in late fall (September/October) during some of the City’s warmest temperatures year-round.

Where is BYOQ?
BYOQ happens in the Bandshell of Golden Gate Park’s Music Concourse located in between the De Young Museum and The Academy of Sciences. The festival area is from the Bandshell to the first fountain.

Is there an entrance fee to BYOQ?
Nope! BYOQ is 100% free to attendees, but donations are welcome and can be made at the information booth, or throw a couple of dollars into our donation collectors’ buckets.

Where does the money collected at BYOQ go?
BYOQ is a fiscally sponsored project of Intersection for the Arts, tax deductible donations will help us to pay artists, staff and expenses related to the event, and help us create an even better BYOQ next year.

How do I get to the Bandshell and BYOQ?
There are a multitude of ways to get to Golden Gate Park’s Music Concourse Bandshell. One of the easiest ways to get to BYOQ is by taking the N-Judah Muni train to 9th & Irving and then walking a half mile to the Bandshell. For specific instructions, we recommend entering Music Concourse as your destination in Google Maps and entering your starting point and preferred mode of transportation, or check out the information below.

Biking
There is ample bike parking behind the Bandshell as well as in front of the de Young Museum and Academy of Sciences.

Public Transportation
The N-Judah Muni Metro streetcar, which is wheelchair-accessible, stops at 9th Avenue and Irving Street. To reach the Bandshell, travel north on 9th Avenue into Golden Gate Park. Ninth Avenue becomes Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.—keep going until you reach Music Concourse Drive, then you will see the Bandshell to your left. This half-mile walk takes approximately 10 minutes; if you prefer not to walk, you may also transfer to the 44-O’Shaughnessy bus at 9th and Irving and ride to the Academy of Sciences or de Young Museum stops on Music Concourse Drive​

The #44-O’Shaughnessy bus stops at the Music Concourse on Tea Garden Drive (southbound) and on Music Concourse Drive (northbound).

The #5-Fulton bus stops at 8th Avenue and Fulton Street, just outside the park. From 8th Avenue, walk into the park and turn right on John F. Kennedy Drive. Then turn left onto Music Concourse Drive.

From the Amtrak Station at the Ferry Building, walk up Market Street away from the waterfront to the Muni Metro Embarcadero Station (approximately 7 minutes). Catch the N-Judah Muni Metro Streetcar to the Irving Street and Ninth Avenue stop.

There is also a Golden Gate Park Shuttle that costs $2/person and makes stops at various locations throughout the Park including the Music Concourse. More information at: http://sfrecpark.org/parks-open-spaces/golden-gate-park-guide/free-golden-gate-park-shuttle/

Driving
Please note that John F. Kennedy Drive is closed to traffic on Saturdays from Tea Garden Drive to Transverse Drive April through September.

From the North Bay/Golden Gate Bridge
From the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza take the 19th Ave/Park Presidio Blvd exit and proceed through the tunnel onto Park Presidio Blvd. Go two miles to Cabrillo St. Turn right on Cabrillo, then right again on 14th Ave. Proceed one block north to Balboa St, turn right. Proceed across Park Presidio Blvd to 8th Ave. For surface access to the de Young, turn right onto 8th Ave across Fulton St to JFK Dr. For direct access to the Music Concourse Parking Facility, turn right on Fulton St and then left on 10th Ave.

From the South Bay/I-280 North
At Daly City, take Route 1 North toward 19th Ave./Golden Gate Bridge. Go five miles on 19th Ave. through Golden Gate Park and make a right onto Fulton St. Turn right on 10th Ave. for access to the Music Concourse Parking Facility, or two blocks to 8th Ave. and turn right into the park.

From the East Bay/I-80 West
Weekdays: Continue on I-80 through San Francisco for about one mile and then bear right, following signs for Golden Gate Bridge/US101 North. Follow signs for Octavia St. and Fell St.; freeway ends at Market St. Cross Market St. and go four blocks and make a left turn onto Fell St. Go 1.5 miles on Fell St. For access to the Music Concourse Parking Facility: Just beyond Shrader St. bear right and make a right turn onto Stanyan St. Go two blocks and make a left turn onto Fulton St. Take Fulton to 10th Ave. and make a left turn into the parking facility. For surface access to the de Young continue on Fell St. then just after Shrader St. bear left onto Kezar Dr. Bear right onto JFK Dr. and follow to the de Young.

Alternate Route Weekends: Take the Fremont St. exit from the Bay Bridge, make a left onto Fremont St. Go 0.3 miles and turn left onto Pine St. Take Pine St. for 2.7 miles past Presidio Ave. and bear left onto Masonic Ave. Follow Masonic Ave. for 0.8 miles and make a right turn onto Fulton St. Follow Fulton for 1.3 miles to 8th Ave. for surface access to the de Young or to 10th Ave. for direct access to the Music Concourse Parking Facility.

Who is performing at BYOQ?
A full artist lineup with photos and bios is available on the BYOQ website.

Can I volunteer at BYOQ?
AB.SO.LUTELY! We need folks to help us pull this off! There are lots of opportunities to get involved in set up, hospitality, security, clean up, green team, information, and donations. Volunteers get access to the shady volunteer area with snacks and beverages AND you get to meet new friends! Sign up on the BYOQ website.

Is BYOQ all ages?
BYOQ is an all ages event that has been designed to include queer families, youth and elders. Families with children and youth are encouraged to come early as the festival will begin to skew toward adult audiences as the day progresses. Openhouse will also host a tent with shade and water designated for queer elders.

Will there be wifi at BYOQ?
Unfortunately, BYOQ cannot offer wifi to attendees.

Will I need cash? Where is the nearest ATM?
You will not need cash to attend BYOQ, but you may want to buy something from the food carts, one of our community vendors or to donate to BYOQ. The nearest ATM is a Bank of America ATM located at 9th & Irving.

Are there bathrooms at BYOQ?
There are men’s and women’s bathrooms located on the back side of the Bandshell to the left and to the right. Unfortunately, San Francisco Recreation and Parks will not let BYOQ post “All Genders Welcome” signs on these restrooms but please feel free to use whatever bathroom you feel most comfortable in.

What should I bring to BYOQ?
As the name alludes, participants are expected to bring what they need with them to BYOQ. This includes water, food, alcohol, blankets, chairs, sunscreen and whatever else you would need for a day in Golden Gate Park. Keep in mind that there is no smoking, no glass and no hard liquor allowed in Golden Gate Park and that there are not secure lockers on site.

Is there seating at BYOQ? What about shade?
There are a multitude of benches facing the Bandshell, many of which get shade from trees. There are also plenty of grassy areas in which you can lay down or lay out a blanket.

Where can I get food at BYOQ?
BYOQ will not be selling any food and while there isn’t much for purchase in the Music Concourse, there are a couple food carts behind the Bandshell that have limited menu options. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food and to make sure to dispose of any compost, recyclables and trash. There are also many dining options south of Golden Gate Park along 9th Street in the Sunset.

Where can I get water at BYOQ?
BYOQ attendees are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to the event. There are water fountains located next to the restrooms located on the backside of the Bandshell.

Where can I get booze at BYOQ?
BYOQ will not be selling any alcohol but if you are over 21 you are legally permitted to have wine or beer (no liquor or glass allowed) in Golden Gate Park as long as it is 100 feet away from a playground (The Bandshell is not near any playgrounds). So be sure to bring a cup or water bottle and to dispose of any compost, recyclables and trash. The nearest liquor store is Judah Ninth Avenue Liquors at 9th & Judah.

Can I smoke at BYOQ?
BYOQ is a smoke-free event as smoking is prohibited in the Music Concourse and in all of Golden Gate Park.

Can I bring my dog to BYOQ?
Service animals assisting people with accessibility needs are more than welcome, and Golden Gate Park allows any four-legged friend to accompany you as long as you both obey the leash laws of California. Keep in mind that the event will be noisy, crowded, and hot, and your pet may be startled by the crowd.