The City of Santa Monica has officially canceled the inaugural Ocean Way music festival, which was set to take place on the beachfront on Sept. 26‑27. Organizers cited severe beach erosion caused by storm surf and runoff from Hurricane Marie as the reason the event can no longer be safely held.
Festival details and lineup
Ocean Way was promoted as a two‑day, car‑free celebration of music, with headline performances slated from The Killers and Olivia Dean. Supporting acts included Khruangbin, Sublime, Jack White and several other artists. Ticket holders were notified via email that the city’s decision was driven by public‑safety concerns stemming from the recent storm damage.
City response and future plans
“Due to the impacts of Hurricane Marie, the City of Santa Monica has canceled the inaugural Ocean Way festival,” the city statement read. “Storm surf and runoff has caused significant beach erosion and the festival can no longer be safely held as planned. Plans are already underway to bring the festival back to Santa Monica in 2027.”
The city’s decision aligns with its responsibility to protect residents and visitors from hazardous conditions on the shoreline. Officials emphasized that the safety of concertgoers, staff and nearby residents remains the top priority.
Ticketing and refunds
AXS, the ticketing platform for the event, has updated its listings to reflect the cancellation. Ticket holders are expected to receive refunds automatically through the original purchase method. Organizers have urged fans to stay tuned for announcements regarding the 2027 edition, which will feature the same commitment to sustainable, car‑free transportation options.
Context: other beach festivals affected this year
Ocean Way is the second major beachside music festival in the Los Angeles area to be canceled in 2026. Earlier this summer, the inaugural LA Jazz Festival was called off on Aug. 7 after organizers cited unexpected public‑safety and municipal permitting costs. That event had planned a series of “Jazz on the Beach” concerts at Dockweiler Beach featuring John Legend, Janelle Monáe, Parliament‑Funkadelic with George Clinton, Charlie Wilson, Raphael Saadiq and others.
Both cancellations highlight the challenges of staging large outdoor events in coastal communities prone to extreme weather and shifting regulatory environments. While the setbacks are disappointing for fans, they underscore the importance of resilient planning and close coordination with local authorities.
Looking ahead
Goldenvoice, the promoter behind Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, announced Ocean Way in July as a new beachfront experience for Santa Monica. The company remains optimistic about returning in 2027, with plans to incorporate lessons learned from this year’s weather‑related disruptions.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to keep an eye on city communications for updates on future events, beach restoration efforts, and any new public‑safety measures that may affect coastal gatherings.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
