Ocean Way Festival Canceled in Santa Monica Over Hurricane Marie
Goldenvoice canceled the Ocean Way festival in Santa Monica on Friday, citing beach erosion caused by Hurricane Marie. The two-day event had been scheduled for Sept. 26-27.
- Tickets ranged from $249 to $2,250; refunds are due within five to seven business days.
- Hurricane Marie damaged coastal areas from Malibu to Long Beach and Dana Point.
- Headliners included The Killers, Jack White, Olivia Dean, Khruangbin, and Sublime.
- Sinkholes opened in Malibu and rising surf prompted home evacuations in Long Beach.
Why it matters: Ocean Way was designed to revive Santa Monica's post-pandemic waterfront economy and establish a transit-oriented festival precedent on the city's beach.
- This is the second inaugural beachside festival canceled in 2026; the LA Jazz Festival on Dockweiler Beach also collapsed on its opening day.
- Bonnaroo announced a full 2027 hiatus for storm damage repairs; Stagecoach shut down mid-festival due to wind.
How 6 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 1 sources: The center focuses on the logistics — the lineup lost, the refund process, and Goldenvoice's stated intent to return in 2027.
Left coverage, 4 sources: The left frames the cancellation within broader concerns about climate change, festival financial fragility, and Santa Monica's economic struggles since the pandemic.
Los Angeles Times6hOcean Way canceled due to offshore hurricane: Santa Monica festival called off
Hollywood Reporter4hOcean Way Festival Canceled Over Impact From Hurricane Marie
Rolling Stone3hOcean Way Festival in Santa Monica Cancels Inaugural Event Due to Hurricane Marie
Variety3hOcean Way Festival Is Canceled; Santa Monica Blames Beach Erosion
What’s next: Goldenvoice says it plans to bring Ocean Way back to Santa Monica in 2027.
- The City of Santa Monica is working to repair the Pico storm drain and shoreline ahead of further weather.
- Whether a 2027 Ocean Way can secure permits and funding after the inaugural cancellation remains unclear.
- How much beach erosion from Hurricane Marie will cost the city and how long repairs will take is not yet known.