entertainment
New Ocean Way Festival to Bring Major Acts to Santa Monica Beach This September
Santa Monica is set to host a significant new music event, the Ocean Way Festival, this September. This marks a renewed focus on live music for the coastal city, featuring a diverse lineup of popular artists.
8/19/2026, 1:45:44 AM
Santa Monica's shoreline is poised for a major musical resurgence with the introduction of the Ocean Way Festival, scheduled to debut this September. This fresh event aims to establish the city as a prominent destination for live music, a role it hasn't held significantly in over a decade.
Prominent concert promoter Goldenvoice is behind the inaugural festival, which will feature a compelling roster of artists. According to Variety, the lineup includes acclaimed acts such as Olivia Dean, The Killers, Jack White, and Khruangbin, promising a diverse musical experience for attendees.
The announcement comes as a significant development for Santa Monica, which has not regularly hosted large-scale music concerts on its beach in recent years. Historically, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium was a key venue for performances, and the popular Twilight Series on the pier drew crowds until its conclusion approximately twelve years ago. The new festival seeks to fill this void and re-establish the area's reputation as a vibrant cultural hub.
Organizers are anticipating a substantial turnout, with expectations of attracting tens of thousands of music enthusiasts to the coastal location. The festival aims to offer a broad appeal, catering to various musical tastes with its eclectic mix of headliners and supporting acts. Further details regarding specific dates, additional performers, and ticketing information are expected to be released in the coming months.
This initiative by Goldenvoice underscores a strategic effort to capitalize on Santa Monica's scenic beachfront and its potential to draw large audiences for major events. The return of significant music programming is likely to be welcomed by both local residents and visitors, promising to invigorate the city's entertainment landscape.