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Goldenvoice’s inaugural Ocean Way Festival has been canceled, marking a significant setback for the music industry’s return to Santa Monica’s beaches. The two-day event, scheduled for September 26-27, was forced to call off operations due to severe coastal erosion caused by Hurricane Marie and storm drain runoff during Labor Day weekend. City officials determined that the damage made the venue unsafe for the expected 45,000 daily attendees and rendered the site unsuitable for festival infrastructure.
The hurricane-driven surf stripped sand from the beach south of the pier, forcing organizers to relocate the safety shoreline setback approximately 96 feet inland. Additionally, storm drain discharge carved through the southern portion of the planned site, requiring the festival’s boundary to shift roughly 500 feet northward. Following a comprehensive site assessment evaluating sand conditions, emergency access, construction requirements, and safety protocols, city leadership concluded that cancellation was the only responsible course of action.
Festival organizers have committed to rescheduling the event for 2027, with ticket holders receiving automatic refunds of $249 to $2,250 within five to seven business days. The lineup featured diverse acts including the Killers, Jack White, Olivia Dean, and Khruangbin across the two days. Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis expressed disappointment but emphasized that public safety remained the priority, praising Goldenvoice as a responsible partner throughout the planning process.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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