San Francisco Plans Special ‘Homecoming’ Event in Tribute to Bob Weir

San Francisco is preparing to honor one of its most beloved musical icons as San Francisco Plans Special ‘Homecoming’ Event in Tribute to Bob Weir, celebrating the life, legacy, and enduring spirit of the Grateful Dead co-founder.

This weekend, the city where Bob Weir’s journey began will host “Homecoming: Celebrating the Life of Bobby Weir,” a free public gathering set for Saturday, January 17, at Civic Center Plaza. The event is scheduled to begin at 3:45 p.m. ET and is open to fans, friends, and community members who wish to pay their respects.

Organizers describe the gathering as a moment of shared remembrance rather than a traditional performance. According to a statement, the event will honor how Weir’s “music, spirit, and humanity shaped generations,” emphasizing community, gratitude, and collective reflection. “Together, we will celebrate the heartbeat he created,” the statement adds, highlighting the deep connection Weir fostered between his music and his audience.

While there will be no live concerts, the tribute will include special moments designed to reflect on Weir’s impact and legacy. A procession is also planned, traveling approximately three blocks along Market Street between 7th and 9th Streets, beginning around 3:30 p.m. ET.

Bob Weir, a pioneering guitarist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, passed away last week at the age of 78 following complications related to underlying lung issues after a battle with cancer. Widely regarded as one of San Francisco’s most treasured sons, Weir helped define not only a band but an entire musical movement.

Over a career spanning more than six decades, Weir played a central role in transforming the Grateful Dead from their early days as the Warlocks into the godfathers of the jam band genre. His distinctive, syncopated guitar approach—famously inspired by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner’s left hand—became a defining element of the band’s sound, unconventional yet essential.

The Grateful Dead endured changing musical eras, internal struggles, and health challenges, remaining active until Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995. During that time, they performed more than 2,300 concerts and sold over 35 million albums worldwide. After the band’s original run ended, Weir continued carrying the torch through projects like Furthur and Dead & Company, ensuring the music lived on for new generations.

Beyond music, Weir was also deeply committed to environmental causes. In 2017, he was named a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for his work on climate change and served on the board of Tribal Planet. Speaking to Billboard that year, he expressed hope that people would “reflexively consider the good of the planet in the choices they regularly make.”

As San Francisco gathers this weekend, the Homecoming event will stand as a quiet but powerful reminder of Bob Weir’s influence—not just as a musician, but as a cultural force whose legacy continues to resonate far beyond the city he called home.