Ocean Way Music Festival Canceled Due to Hurricane Marie
The inaugural Ocean Way music festival, scheduled to take place at Santa Monica Beach on September 26-27, has been canceled just two weeks before its debut. The decision was made by Goldenvoice, the promoter also behind the famous Coachella festival, citing significant beach erosion caused by Hurricane Marie’s impact as the primary reason.
In an announcement made via the ticketing platform AXS, organizers stated, “Due to the impacts of Hurricane Marie, the City of Santa Monica has canceled the inaugural Ocean Way festival. Storm surf and runoff have caused significant beach erosion, and the festival can no longer be safely held as planned. Plans are underway to bring the festival back to Santa Monica in 2027.”
Ticket holders, who paid between $249 and $2,250, will receive refunds within five to seven business days.
Hurricane Marie, influenced by the “Super El Niño” weather pattern related to warmer waters in the eastern Pacific, has severely affected coastal areas from Malibu to Long Beach. The damage includes sinkholes in Malibu and home evacuations due to rising surf in Long Beach, prompting safety concerns for potential festival-goers.
Santa Monica City Council member Dan Hall expressed his disappointment over the cancellation but emphasized the importance of safety. He noted that conditions have deteriorated rapidly near the planned festival space, and the city is working to repair the shoreline in anticipation of future weather events. Hall remains hopeful about the festival’s return next summer.
The festival promised headline performances from artists such as The Killers, Olivia Dean, Khruangbin, Sublime, and Jack White. Introduced in July, Ocean Way was intended to revitalize Santa Monica’s retail and nightlife scenes post-COVID and promote a car-free concert experience, aligning with transit-oriented initiatives.
This cancellation marks a significant setback for Santa Monica, which has long sought a major music festival to showcase its beach as a cultural asset. The Ocean Way festival is the second major beachside concert to be canceled this year, following the LA Jazz Festival.
As climate-related incidents continue to impact the festival scene, other major events like Bonnaroo in Tennessee have also announced plans to pause for repairs in response to severe weather disruptions.
