When are the 2026 dates and gate hours?

Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3, 2026. Entrances open at 12 PM and close at 11 PM each day (confirm on the official Help Center before you travel).

Where is Country Calling held?

Ocean City Inlet Beach, 809 South Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842—southern Boardwalk / Inlet footprint with stages on the beach and boardwalk.

Who is on the 2026 lineup?

Headliners include Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts, and Dierks Bentley (Friday) plus Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert (Saturday). Open the Lineup guide on this site for all 25+ billed artists with short research blurbs—then verify the current poster on countrycallingfestival.com/lineup (set times publish closer to the weekend).

How much do tickets cost?

Prices are inventory tiers that rise as each tier sells out. Recent published “starting at” examples include 2-day GA from about $279, GA+ from about $419, VIP from about $805, plus 1-day options and premium Platinum/Ultimate tiers. Confirm live pricing only on the official tickets page.

Do kids need tickets?

The festival is all-ages. For GA, GA+, and VIP, children 8 and under are free with a ticketed adult. Platinum: ages 2 and under free; ages 3–8 need a kids Platinum ticket; 9+ need full Platinum. Ultimate requires a paid ticket for every guest regardless of age.

What is the bag policy?

Clutch/fanny packs 6"×9" or smaller need not be clear (one pocket max). Larger bags must be clear and under 12"×6"×12". Hydration packs are allowed if empty on entry (compartment limits apply). All bags are searched; leaving the bag behind is fastest.

Can I bring chairs, coolers, or outside food?

No chairs, coolers, umbrellas, tents/shade structures, or outside food and beverages (including alcohol). Empty reusable bottles and hydration packs are allowed; refill at free hydration stations. Blankets, sheets, and towels are allowed.

Yes—leave and re-enter as often as you like until 7 PM local time. Scan your wristband and go through security on each return.

Festival guidance points drivers to West Ocean City Park & Ride (12848 Ocean Gateway), the Convention Center lot (4001 Coastal Highway), and the 100th Street municipal lot (10267 Coastal Highway), with public transportation toward the festival. There are no parking options from N. Division Street south to the Inlet.

Is the festival cashless? Is there camping?

Festival vendors are 100% cashless (card/debit/mobile). Boardwalk businesses inside the footprint take cash or card but not wristband Fest Cash. There is no on-site camping—book nearby lodging.

Is this the same weekend as Oceans Calling?

No—Country Calling is the following weekend’s country festival on the Inlet. Oceans Calling is a separate multi-day rock/pop beach festival typically the prior weekend. Policies, hours, and tickets are not interchangeable.

Does OCEANCITY.MD sell tickets?

No—purchase only from official Country Calling / Front Gate channels. We summarize planning context; gate operations, maps, and ADA details live on the festival Help Center (access@countrycallingfestival.com for accessibility questions).

Headline & seasonal festivals

Country Calling Festival FAQs

Visitor questions about tickets, kids, parking, weather, and logistics. Confirm anything time-sensitive with organizers.

Friday–Saturday, October 2–3, 2026 · gates noon–11 PM each day

Status (Eastern US date): Loading…

Dates and prices change—confirm with official sources before you book travel. Status uses US Eastern calendar dates for “today.”

When are the 2026 dates and gate hours?: Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3, 2026. Entrances open at 12 PM and close at 11 PM each day (confirm on the official Help Center before you travel).
Where is Country Calling held?: Ocean City Inlet Beach, 809 South Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842—southern Boardwalk / Inlet footprint with stages on the beach and boardwalk.
Who is on the 2026 lineup?: Headliners include Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts, and Dierks Bentley (Friday) plus Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert (Saturday). Open the Lineup guide on this site for all 25+ billed artists with short research blurbs—then verify the current poster on countrycallingfestival.com/lineup (set times publish closer to the weekend).
How much do tickets cost?: Prices are inventory tiers that rise as each tier sells out. Recent published “starting at” examples include 2-day GA from about $279, GA+ from about $419, VIP from about $805, plus 1-day options and premium Platinum/Ultimate tiers. Confirm live pricing only on the official tickets page.
Do kids need tickets?: The festival is all-ages. For GA, GA+, and VIP, children 8 and under are free with a ticketed adult. Platinum: ages 2 and under free; ages 3–8 need a kids Platinum ticket; 9+ need full Platinum. Ultimate requires a paid ticket for every guest regardless of age.
What is the bag policy?: Clutch/fanny packs 6"×9" or smaller need not be clear (one pocket max). Larger bags must be clear and under 12"×6"×12". Hydration packs are allowed if empty on entry (compartment limits apply). All bags are searched; leaving the bag behind is fastest.
Can I bring chairs, coolers, or outside food?: No chairs, coolers, umbrellas, tents/shade structures, or outside food and beverages (including alcohol). Empty reusable bottles and hydration packs are allowed; refill at free hydration stations. Blankets, sheets, and towels are allowed.
Is re-entry allowed?: Yes—leave and re-enter as often as you like until 7 PM local time. Scan your wristband and go through security on each return.
Where should I park?: Festival guidance points drivers to West Ocean City Park & Ride (12848 Ocean Gateway), the Convention Center lot (4001 Coastal Highway), and the 100th Street municipal lot (10267 Coastal Highway), with public transportation toward the festival. There are no parking options from N. Division Street south to the Inlet.
Is the festival cashless? Is there camping?: Festival vendors are 100% cashless (card/debit/mobile). Boardwalk businesses inside the footprint take cash or card but not wristband Fest Cash. There is no on-site camping—book nearby lodging.
Is this the same weekend as Oceans Calling?: No—Country Calling is the following weekend’s country festival on the Inlet. Oceans Calling is a separate multi-day rock/pop beach festival typically the prior weekend. Policies, hours, and tickets are not interchangeable.
Does OCEANCITY.MD sell tickets?: No—purchase only from official Country Calling / Front Gate channels. We summarize planning context; gate operations, maps, and ADA details live on the festival Help Center (access@countrycallingfestival.com for accessibility questions).