Oceans Calling Festival

About this event

Oceans Calling 2026 runs Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27 at Ocean City Inlet Beach (809 South Atlantic Ave). Gates open at 12 PM and close at 11 PM each day (subject to change). It is a three-day beach-and-boardwalk festival in partnership with musicians O.A.R., with over 40 performances on three stages (Sea Bright, Rockville, Carousel). See the lineup guide for every billed act, stage, and published set time—or the plan guide for tickets, parking, and bag rules.

Beyond the stages: east-coast bites from local food vendors, Boardwalk businesses inside the festival perimeter, and Jolly Roger at the Pier between sets. Culinary demos (Robert Irvine, Antonia Lofaso, and more) run on Carousel. Host Jason Biggs is billed on the official poster. Boardwalk shops take cash or card—not festival wristband balance—and alcohol generally does not cross between shops and festival areas. Festival vendors are 100% cashless (card / debit / mobile).

Ticket types include 1-day and 3-day General Admission, GA+, VIP, Platinum, and Ultimate, plus bungalows and limited GOVX discounts. Inventory moves fast—Friday/Saturday and many 3-day premium tiers have already hit waitlist / sold-out states on the official tickets page. Published “starting at” examples have included 1-day GA from about $179, 3-day GA from about $420, GA+ from about $385/$579, VIP from about $599/$959, Platinum from about $1,129/$2,850, and Ultimate from about $7,500. Buy only through official tickets. VIP/Platinum/Ultimate often use a dedicated Caroline Street entrance when published.

Logistics shape the weekend as much as the bill. Organizers list remote parking at the West Ocean City Park & Ride, Convention Center, and 100th Street municipal lot with public transportation toward the Inlet—and note no festival parking from N. Division Street south to the inlet. Same-day re-entry is allowed until 7 PM (wristband scan + security each return). There is no on-site camping. Book early for lodging, plan transportation, and expect nightlife spillover into bars. Mix festival days with calmer meals via takeout when walk-in waits explode. Country fans often stay for the following weekend’s Country Calling.

Pack for airport-style screening on sand and boardwalk: clear-bag rules, empty reusable bottles (hydration stations on site), blankets/towels allowed, no chairs, no umbrellas/tents/shade structures, no outside food or drink, and no smoking/vaping on grounds. Pets are not allowed (service animals only). Download the Festiverse app for maps and updates; reserve lockers and hotel blocks from the official site when your group wants less pocket clutter. If you fish or boat the same weekend, dawn meet times can still work, but afternoon bridge traffic may delay returns—communicate with captains and crews.

Quick planning tips

• Screenshot wristband activation steps before you hit Coastal Highway—cell data stalls in dense crowds.
• Wear shoes that handle sand and boardwalk planks; nights can cool off even when afternoon sun is strong.
• Bring an empty water bottle, hearing protection, non-aerosol sunscreen (≤3.4 oz), and a small clear bag—skip chairs and umbrellas entirely.

Full plan guide Official tickets

Map (approximate)

Sources we used

• Oceans Calling — official site
• Oceans Calling — tickets
• Oceans Calling — lineup
• Oceans Calling — schedule

OCEANCITY.MD does not operate these events. Organizer websites, OceanCity.com, the Town of Ocean City (OC Ocean), OC Visitor, and regional tourism calendars are starting points—verify every time-sensitive detail directly.

Related guide on this site: older editorial page (may overlap topics).