Ocean Way Festival in Santa Monica Canceled Weeks Before Planned Debut

Goldenvoice has canceled its inaugural Ocean Way festival in California.

With just two weeks until the festival on the beach, the Los Angeles Times reported first that ticketing service AXS sent messages to ticketholders stating the event was canceled due to the impacts of Hurricane Marie.

The message explains that storm surf and runoff caused significant beach erosion, meaning the festival can no longer be safely held as planned. The hurricane swept through Southern California earlier in the week and caused extensive damage and erosion to coastal areas.

Organizers wrote on social media that plans are already underway to bring the festival to Santa Monica in 2027.

The debut Ocean Way festival was scheduled for Sept. 26-27 on the beach in Santa Monica, California. Headliners included The Killers, Olivia Dean, Jack White and Khruangbin. Southern California acts Sublime and Durand Jones and the Indications were also set to perform at the event, which is put on by the promoters behind Coachella and Stagecoach. Alvvays, SG Lewis, 54 Ultra, Hiatus Kaiyote, BLOND:ISH, Poolside and a Hot Chip DJ set were also listed on the lineup announced in July.

Nic Adler, Goldenvoice vice president of regional festivals, said in a statement in July that Santa Monica has an incredible music history and Goldenvoice has been fortunate to be part of that story. He noted that from legendary shows at the Civic Auditorium to the origins of Ocean Way Recording just steps from the beach, the creative legacy there is unlike anywhere else, adding that the festival is an opportunity to celebrate that history while building something authentically Santa Monica for years to come.

The message from AXS states that fans will receive refunds for the price of their tickets, which ranged from single-day four-packs for $189 to premium weekend passes exceeding $700. Organizers stated that refunds will arrive in a few business days.