SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco leaders are calling the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead at Golden Gate Park a big win for the city. The concerts gave a boost to hotels and businesses, and the city is already looking ahead to the next weekend of music.
The back-to-back concert weekends are expected to generate more than $150 million for the city’s economy.
“I still feel like I’m riding the high from the last three days,” said Matt Schweikert who’s visiting from New Jersey.
Three nights of concerts by Dead & Company turned San Francisco into a music mecca for tie-died deadheads.
“It was amazing; absolutely amazing,” said Drymalski.
Steve Drymalski flew out from Minneapolis for a one-of-a kind experience.
MORE: ‘Streets are packed’: SF businesses ride groovy economic vibe from thousands of Deadheads
“I’ve seen over 100 Dead shows from back in the 80s on,” said Drymalski.
This weekend, thousands more people are turning out for Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival.
Piedmont Boutique on Haight Street is seeing festival-goers stock up on fringe and feathers, cowboy hats and more.
“We’re known for glitz and glamour. So, they will glitz and glamour themselves up,” said Uti, the owner of Piedmont Boutique.
Music festivals are making a big impact on San Francisco and Golden Gate Park. With Dead and Company, the mayor posted this on Instagram.
“What an epic weekend here in San Francisco,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Hotels saw their capacity go from 40% on an august weekend up to 80% in some cases.”
MORE: SF preps for 3 weekends of Golden Gate Park music events, starting with Dead & Co. series
This past weekend, Hotel Nikko in Union Square saw a big boom in business.
“Seventy-five-percent of our guests were part of the Dead and Company,” said Casey Neuburger, the general manager of Hotel Nikko.
One-hundred-fifty people showed up for the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead, according to Mayor Lurie.
This next weekend, he expects more than 200,000 people to turn out for Outside Lands.
This summer is shaping up to be extraordinary for San Francisco, says SF Travel.
“We’re already seeing a 12% increase year over year the same time last year,” said Anna Marie Presutti, president and CEO of SF Travel. “It’s good for hotels. Occupancies were up. It’s great for restaurants. It’s wonderful for retail.”
MORE: SF hopes upcoming Dead & Company concert, Outside Lands festival provide economic boost for city
Uti at Piedmont Boutique says the music-filled weekend boosted their bottom line and they can’t wait for more.
“It boosted it tremendously. Maybe five to six times what it normally would have been,” said Uti.
The hope, that more people will enjoy San Francisco and its fun-filled music scene.
“Stay longer, play longer. It’s going to be a great summer,” said Presutti.
At Golden Gate Park, even bigger crowds are expected for Outside Lands this weekend.
There will be more stages and more musical acts — 110 total.
The big names include Tyler the Creator, Doja Cat, and Hozier.
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