Festivals / USA
What to wear to Outside Lands
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Outside Lands is San Francisco's three-day August festival in Golden Gate Park, with indie, pop, rock, hip-hop and electronic acts and a big food and wine programme. It's the cool-weather festival of the US summer: August days in the city average under 70°F, so plan layers and a jacket. The festival bans headdresses and spiked jewellery and clothing, and prefers small or clear bags.
- Dates
- 6–8 August 2027
- Where
- San Francisco, California
- Gate rules
- 7 listed
- Outfits
- 3
When and where
- 6–8 August 2027 at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California. sfoutsidelands.com
- Start planning your outfit by 25 Jun 2027, six weeks out. Searches for this festival peak in the last two weeks before it opens.
- Last edition: 7–9 August 2026 (headliners Charli XCX, The Strokes and Rüfüs Du Sol; sold out). Wikipedia: Outside Lands
- The 2027 line-up has not been announced. sfoutsidelands.com
- 225,000 in 2026 (209,000 in 2025) Wikipedia: Outside Lands
- Music: Indie, pop, rock, hip-hop and electronic, with a strong food and wine programme.
- Official site
Weather and ground
- Downtown San Francisco in August averages a high of 67.9°F and a low of 55.5°F, with 0.06 in of rain (1991–2020). There's no site-specific figure for Golden Gate Park. Wikipedia: San Francisco weatherbox
- "Sandy pathways, uneven dirt roads, paved roads, and grassy fields", with "some distances to be covered". Outside Lands accessibility
The dress code
We haven’t found solid fashion-press coverage of this festival’s style yet, so this section sticks to what the rules, weather and music tell us.
We haven't sourced press coverage of the Outside Lands crowd's style. The official pages give the practical frame: cool August temperatures, a long walk over sand, dirt, pavement and grass, a ban on headdresses and spikes, and a preference for no bag, or a small or clear one. The outfits below are built from those.
- Native American or "American Indian" headdresses are prohibited, as are spiked jewellery and clothing. Outside Lands FAQ
- The grounds mix sandy paths, uneven dirt roads, paved roads and grass, with real distances between areas. Outside Lands accessibility
- August in San Francisco averages 67.9°F by day and 55.5°F at night. Wikipedia: San Francisco weatherbox
What people wore recently
- 2026: Pinterest's "Shoegaze Aesthetic" festival trend, which suits an indie and rock line-up and cool weather: thrifted band tees and flannel, "2000s rock outfits" searches up 60% and "windbreaker jacket outfit" up 40%. This was a general festival report, not an Outside Lands one. Pinterest Newsroom, 31 Mar 2026
Leave these at home
- Headdresses of any Native American style. Outside Lands FAQ
- Spiked jewellery or spiked clothing. Outside Lands FAQ
- A non-clear drawstring backpack. Outside Lands FAQ
On the ground
Outfits that work here
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Layers for a cool August
Daytime highs average under 70°F and nights drop to the mid-50s°F, so this is the one big US summer festival where a jacket is essential.
- Hoodie or fleece
- Light jacket or windbreaker on topEasy to tie round your waist when the sun comes out.
- Jeans or cargo pants
- Comfortable boots or sneakersFor sand, dirt, pavement and grass.
Indie park layers
The line-up leans indie and rock, and Pinterest's 2026 "Shoegaze" trend of band tees and flannel suits cool weather.
- Band teeShop at Hot Topic
- Flannel shirt worn open
- Straight or wide jeans
- Lace-up boots
- SunglassesShop at Le SpecsShop at Crap Eyewear
Travel light
The festival prefers no bag at all, and only clear backpacks or bags up to 6 x 8 x 3 in are allowed.
- Fanny pack, 6 x 8 x 3 in or smallerCheck the measurements before you buy.Shop at Herschel
- Jacket with deep zip pocketsCarries what the small bag can't.
- Clear PVC backpack, if you need more spaceThe only allowed backpack besides a hydration pack.
Quick answers
When is Outside Lands 2027?
Outside Lands runs 6–8 August 2027 in San Francisco, California, USA.
What are the bag and item rules at Outside Lands?
Bags: "While we would prefer that fans come bag free, we realize that is not always possible." Allowed: clear plastic, vinyl or PVC backpacks, and small bags or fanny packs up to 6 x 8 x 3 in. Hydration packs: Under 2.5 litres, with one extra pocket. Drawstring backpacks: Non-clear drawstring backpacks are banned. Headdresses: Native American or "American Indian" headdresses are prohibited. Rules change each year, so check the festival's own page before you pack.
What should I wear to Outside Lands?
Outside Lands is San Francisco's three-day August festival in Golden Gate Park, with indie, pop, rock, hip-hop and electronic acts and a big food and wine programme. It's the cool-weather festival of the US summer: August days in the city average under 70°F, so plan layers and a jacket. The festival bans headdresses and spiked jewellery and clothing, and prefers small or clear bags. One outfit that works: layers…
What is the weather like at Outside Lands?
Downtown San Francisco in August averages a high of 67.9°F and a low of 55.5°F, with 0.06 in of rain (1991–2020). There's no site-specific figure for Golden Gate Park.
See it before you go
Scenes you’ll see here
- Boho
Floaty skirts, suede and fringe, now in a more grown-up cut.
- Indie sleaze and shoegaze
Skinny jeans, a biker jacket and last night's eyeliner.
- Western
Boots, hats and denim, now with more leather and grit.
