When are the 2026 dates and gate hours?

Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27, 2026. Entrances open at 12 PM and close at 11 PM each day (subject to change—confirm on the official Help Center before you travel).

Where is Oceans 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 Dave Matthews Band and Hootie & the Blowfish (Friday); Twenty One Pilots and Gwen Stefani (Saturday); Mumford & Sons and Matchbox Twenty (Sunday). Open the Lineup guide on this site for every billed act with stage, published set time, and a short known-for note—then verify on oceanscallingfestival.com/lineup and /schedule.

How much do tickets cost?

Prices are inventory tiers that rise as each tier sells out; many Friday/Saturday and premium 3-day options have already hit waitlist. Recent published “starting at” examples include 1-day GA from about $179, 3-day GA from about $420, plus GA+/VIP/Platinum/Ultimate tiers. Confirm live pricing and waitlists 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 and Bungalow packages require 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 payments. There is no on-site camping—book nearby lodging.

Is this the same weekend as Country Calling?

No—Oceans Calling is the three-day late-September rock/pop beach festival. Country Calling is a separate two-day country festival the following weekend on the same Inlet footprint. Policies, hours, and tickets are not interchangeable.

Does OCEANCITY.MD sell tickets?

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

What about weather or safety stops?

Oceanfront shows can halt for lightning and severe weather. Follow PA instructions, staff in yellow, and Festiverse / Help Center safety guidance; pick a meet-up point off the sand (Main Guest Services is the designated lost-person meeting point).

Headline & seasonal festivals

Oceans Calling Festival FAQs

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

Friday–Sunday, September 25–27, 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, September 25 through Sunday, September 27, 2026. Entrances open at 12 PM and close at 11 PM each day (subject to change—confirm on the official Help Center before you travel).
Where is Oceans 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 Dave Matthews Band and Hootie & the Blowfish (Friday); Twenty One Pilots and Gwen Stefani (Saturday); Mumford & Sons and Matchbox Twenty (Sunday). Open the Lineup guide on this site for every billed act with stage, published set time, and a short known-for note—then verify on oceanscallingfestival.com/lineup and /schedule.
How much do tickets cost?: Prices are inventory tiers that rise as each tier sells out; many Friday/Saturday and premium 3-day options have already hit waitlist. Recent published “starting at” examples include 1-day GA from about $179, 3-day GA from about $420, plus GA+/VIP/Platinum/Ultimate tiers. Confirm live pricing and waitlists 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 and Bungalow packages require 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 payments. There is no on-site camping—book nearby lodging.
Is this the same weekend as Country Calling?: No—Oceans Calling is the three-day late-September rock/pop beach festival. Country Calling is a separate two-day country festival the following weekend on the same Inlet footprint. Policies, hours, and tickets are not interchangeable.
Does OCEANCITY.MD sell tickets?: No—purchase only from official Oceans Calling / Front Gate channels. We summarize planning context; gate operations, maps, and ADA details live on the festival Help Center (access@oceanscallingfestival.com for accessibility questions).
What about weather or safety stops?: Oceanfront shows can halt for lightning and severe weather. Follow PA instructions, staff in yellow, and Festiverse / Help Center safety guidance; pick a meet-up point off the sand (Main Guest Services is the designated lost-person meeting point).