Santa Monica cancels Ocean Way Festival due to Hurricane Marie erosion

The inaugural Ocean Way Festival, scheduled for September 26-27 in Santa Monica, California, has been canceled due to severe beach erosion. City officials and promoter Goldenvoice stated that storm surf from Hurricane Marie, combined with runoff from the Pico-Kenter Storm Drain, significantly damaged the festival site south of the Santa Monica Pier.

The erosion has rendered the shoreline unsafe for the planned production and audience capacity. Officials noted that the damage would have required moving the safe shoreline setback 96 feet inland and shifting the southern boundary 500 feet north, leaving an insufficient footprint for the event. The festival was set to feature headliners The Killers and Olivia Dean, alongside artists such as Jack White, Sublime, and Khruangbin.

Ticket holders, who purchased passes ranging from $249 to $2,250, will receive automatic refunds within several business days. While this year's event is canceled, organizers have expressed intentions to bring the festival back to Santa Monica in 2027. The storm-driven erosion has also impacted other coastal areas, including Malibu and Dana Point, causing property damage and home evacuations.