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Bob Dylan at The Rady Shell: Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour, Sunday, June 21, 2026

William Routt·Jun 6, 2026·5 min.

Bob Dylan plays The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM. Joined by Lucinda Williams and The John Doe Folk Trio. Tickets from $96.

Overview

Bob Dylan brings his Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM — a rare San Diego appearance from one of the most influential American songwriters of all time. The 85-year-old Nobel Prize-winning artist is joined by Lucinda Williams and Her Band and The John Doe Folk Trio for one of the most anticipated Rady Shell bookings of the year.

It's Dylan's first billed appearance at The Rady Shell, and his only San Diego stop on the 2026 tour.

What You Actually Need to Know

  • Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026
  • Time: 6:30 PM (event runs 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM)
  • Where: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, downtown San Diego, CA 92101
  • Supporting acts: Lucinda Williams and Her Band + The John Doe Folk Trio
  • Tickets: Starting around $96 via Ticketmaster
  • Presented by: AEG Presents (rental event of The Rady Shell — the San Diego Symphony does not perform)

Why This Show Matters

Bob Dylan's career has now lasted the better part of sixty years, with a body of work that fundamentally shaped American songwriting, folk, rock, and blues. The 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate is the only songwriter ever to receive the honor — and he's still actively touring and recording at 85.

A few things make the June 21 show particularly worth showing up for:

1. The Rough and Rowdy Ways tour is a real moment. Dylan's been rolling out this tour in stages since 2021, building it around his 2020 album of the same name — which earned widespread critical acclaim as one of the best late-career albums of any major artist. Expect tracks like "I Contain Multitudes," "False Prophet," and "My Own Version of You," mixed with reworked classics like "All Along The Watchtower" and "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right."

2. He's still reshaping his songs. As Broadway World put it in a recent review: "He's still reshaping these songs, sometimes to the point where they barely resemble the originals" — which is either thrilling or frustrating depending on your relationship with the catalog, but undeniably alive.

3. Lucinda Williams is a major bonus. Three-time Grammy winner, Americana royalty, and Time's "America's Best Songwriter" in 2002. She's worth the ticket price on her own.

4. The John Doe Folk Trio. John Doe (of legendary LA punk band X) brings his folk-trio project to open the night.

5. He turned 85 in May. Dylan turned 85 on May 24, 2026 — meaning this tour leg is the kind of show fans don't take for granted anymore.

When and Where

Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Location: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park — 222 Marina Park Way, downtown San Diego, CA 92101

The Rady Shell sits on a 3.7-acre waterfront peninsula behind the San Diego Convention Center, across the bay from Coronado. It's San Diego's premier outdoor concert venue — and the bay views, ocean breeze, and California sunsets are as much a part of the experience as the music itself.

Tickets

Starting around $96 via official ticketing through Ticketmaster or The Rady Shell box office.

Pricing varies significantly by seating section. Buy direct through The Rady Shell or Ticketmaster to avoid inflated resale prices.

For box office assistance, call (619) 235-0804.

Buy Bob Dylan tickets →

What to Expect from the Setlist

Recent Rough and Rowdy Ways tour setlists have leaned heavily on the 2020 album, with a mix of reimagined classics. Recently performed songs include:

  • I Contain Multitudes
  • False Prophet
  • My Own Version of You
  • Key West (Philosopher Pirate)
  • Crossing the Rubicon
  • Black Rider
  • Gotta Serve Somebody
  • I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
  • Watching the River Flow
  • All Along the Watchtower (reworked)

Setlists vary night to night. Dylan typically does not engage with the crowd or take requests — this is a pure performance show.

Other 2026 California Dates

San Diego is the final California stop on Dylan's 2026 tour leg. The California run includes:

  • June 12 — The Venue at Thunder Valley, Lincoln, CA
  • June 13–14 — Greek Theatre, Berkeley
  • June 17 — Santa Barbara Bowl
  • June 18 — Yaamava' Theater, Highland
  • June 20 — Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert
  • June 21 — The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego (tour finale before Wolf Trap in late July)

Getting to The Rady Shell

Driving to The Rady Shell is brutal on event nights. The smart play is the MTS Trolley.

  • MTS Green Line → Convention Center Station. Cross Harbor Drive, take the footpath between the Convention Center and the Marriott Hotel, and walk to The Rady Shell entrance. Avoids parking entirely.
  • Driving: Limited paid parking nearby; expect heavy congestion and inflated event-day rates
  • Rideshare is also a smart option — designated zones around the venue

What to Bring

  • Photo ID
  • Your ticket (printed or mobile)
  • Layers — the bayside cools off fast after sunset, even in June
  • Cash and cards for drinks and merch (The Rady Shell allows alcohol purchase at the venue)
  • Note the venue's bag policy — check theshell.org for current restrictions

Good to Know

  • Doors typically open 60–90 minutes before showtime — plan to arrive by 5:00–5:30 PM
  • All ages welcome
  • No cameras or recording devices — this is consistently enforced at Dylan shows
  • The Rady Shell is an open-air venue — check the forecast (June Gloom is possible, but unlikely to fully cancel the show)
  • This is Dylan's only San Diego date on the 2026 tour — there's no makeup show if you miss it

For more events happening in San Diego this June, check out our full June events calendar or browse our downtown San Diego neighborhood guide.

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