Dead & Company closed out an unforgettable three-night run at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park this weekend, marking 60 years of the Grateful Dead with music, memories, and a citywide celebration.
The band, which features Dead veterans Bob Weir and Mickey Hart alongside John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti, and Jay Lane, brought thousands of Deadheads together for what many are calling the final full chapter in the band’s live legacy.
One of the weekend’s most powerful moments came when Grahame Lesh, son of late Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, joined the band on stage—playing his father’s legendary instrument, “Big Brown.” Grahame’s performance of “Box of Rain,” a track deeply associated with his father and rarely played in recent years, brought emotional weight to the set. He also appeared during “Playing in the Band” and “Cumberland Blues,” helping honor his father’s impact on the band’s story.
The celebration kicked off on what would have been Jerry Garcia’s 83rd birthday and closed with a moving encore of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” a nod to Garcia’s spirit and legacy. Each night delivered a totally unique setlist and surprise guests, including Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson (as Johnny Blue Skies), and Phish’s Trey Anastasio, keeping fans on their toes and hearts full.
After two foggy nights, Sunday’s clear skies seemed symbolic as the final show lit up the Polo Field. Outside the park, the entire city embraced the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary with banners lining the streets, Dead-themed art installations, and an influx of tie-dye in the Haight-Ashbury, Sunset, and Richmond districts.
Local officials say the weekend generated a major tourism boom, with hotel bookings jumping 50% compared to the same time last year. It’s estimated the celebration could surpass the $31 million economic impact seen during Dead & Company’s 2023 stop at Oracle Park.
Though the music may quiet down, the spirit lives on. San Francisco’s tribute to the Grateful Dead will continue into the fall with more concerts, exhibits, and special events, ensuring that the legacy of the Dead—like the music itself—never truly ends.