Oceans Calling 2026

Oceans Calling

• When is Oceans Calling?

  Oceans Calling returns in late September. Check the official festival site for the exact dates and lineup.

• Bicycle Storage at Oceans Calling

  There will be a bicycle storage area located on the beach between first and 2nd street. Make sure you bring a lock!
• Where does Oceans Calling take place?

  On the beach and Boardwalk in downtown Ocean City, around the Inlet.

• Will there be traffic during Oceans Calling?

  We anticipate a steady flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic throughout the day. The majority of the traffic congestion is anticipated after the festival. We will have an alternate traffic pattern established to allow for additional pedestrian walkways, and the ability to stage multiple Beach Buses along Baltimore Ave for those wishing to take the bus back. To avoid the congestion, take a stroll along the Ocean City Boardwalk or visit a downtown business outside of the festival footprint.
• Can I access the Boardwalk if I am not attending the Oceans Calling Festival?

  The Boardwalk (Atlantic Ave) from 27th Street to North Division Street will be open to the public. The south end of the Boardwalk, as well as the Boardwalk businesses in that area, will be included in the festival grounds. Therefore, the Boardwalk south of North Division Street will not be open to the general public during the festival weekend.
• What items are allowed and prohibited at Oceans Calling?

  Guests and their belongings are subject to search upon entry or re-entry. You can help keep the lines moving quickly by leaving large bags at home. The following items are ALLOWED:

  • CLEAR bags made up of clear plastic, vinyl, or pvc, and no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Small clutch purses and fanny packs with no more than 1 pocket. Clutch purses no larger than 6″ x 9″ (See Full Bag Policy Below)
  • Baby Strollers
  • Frisbees
  • Binoculars
  • Blankets, Sheets, Towels
  • Cameras (basic point and shoot consumer-grade cameras) without detachable lenses and other accessories (monopods, selfie sticks, tripods, GoPro mounts, and other attachments are not allowed)
  • Empty reusable water bottles and hydration packs (See full bag policy), and plastic or aluminum water bottles
  • Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers is allowed in the size of 3.4 ounces or less
  • Personal sized hand sanitizer
  • Factory sealed Naloxone/Narcan kit

  Prescription Medicine Requirements:

  • Anyone needing prescription medicine at the festival must present the pharmacy-labeled container which states the prescription, dosage, and patient name to our medical staff at each entrance gate. Patrons are only allowed a sufficient supply of the prescribed medication for that day.
  • Medicines needing to be inhaled or smoked are prohibited unless in a prescribed inhaler.
  • Over the counter medications are allowed in a sufficient supply for the day. Bottle contents will be verified by medical personnel at the entry gates.

  The following items are PROHIBITED:

  • Any bags that are NOT CLEAR bags made up of clear plastic, vinyl, or pvc, and are larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Any Small clutch purses and fanny packs with more than 1 pocket. Clutch purses that are larger than 6″ x 9″ (See Full Bag Policy Below)
  • Aerosol containers, including sunscreen and personal beauty products. NOTE: Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers is allowed in the size of 3.4 ounces or less
  • Coolers of any kind. (Exceptions may be made for medical use)
  • Framed backpacks, multiple pocket back packs and any pack that is not aligned with the allowed backpacks above. (See Full Bag Policy Below)
  • Any and all professional audio recording equipment
  • Professional cameras and professional recording (photo, video, audio) equipment (NO large professional detachable zoom lenses, stands, monopods, tripods, attachment sticks (selfie sticks) or other commercial equipment.
  • Any and all professional video equipment. No video recording will be allowed
  • Drones or any other remote flying device
  • Hammocks
  • Glass containers of any kind
  • Illegal and Illicit substances of any kind
  • Outside food or beverage (including alcohol) of any kind
  • Umbrellas
  • Pets (except service animals)
  • Selfie sticks
  • Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons, carts or any personal motorized vehicles
  • Tents, canopies, or shade structures of any kind
  • Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors are not allowed. No unauthorized solicitation and materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, give-aways, samples, etc.
  • Weapons or explosives of any kind
  • Fireworks
  • Large chains or spiked jewelry
  • Bicycles inside festival grounds (free parking is available near festival entrance)
  • Carts of any kind (including Red Wagons)
  • Chairs of any kind
  • Smoking of any kind, including vaping

  FULL BAG POLICY:

  • ALL bags will be searched before entry.
  • Small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6″ x 9″ or smaller do not need to be clear, but can have no more than one pocket.
  • All other bags larger than 6″ x 9″ must be smaller than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ and clear.
  • Hydration packs are allowed and do not need to be clear, but must be emptied of all liquid and have no more than two pockets in addition to the one holding the water reservoir.
• What is the bag policy at Oceans Calling?

  FULL BAG POLICY:

  • ALL bags will be searched before entry.
  • Small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6″ x 9″ or smaller do not need to be clear, but can have no more than one pocket.
  • All other bags larger than 6″ x 9″ must be smaller than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ and clear.
  • Hydration packs are allowed and do not need to be clear, but must be emptied of all liquid and have no more than two pockets in addition to the one holding the water reservoir.
• What ADA and Accessibility accommodations are available at Oceans Calling?

  There are two entrances at the festival. One located at the intersection of the Boardwalk and Talbor Street and the other located at the intersection of Boardwalk and S Division Street (next to Dumber’s Dairyland). There are specially designated lanes at each Festival entrance for patrons with disabilities. Look for the accessible signs above the entrance lanes or ask a staff member to direct you to the lanes. The Access Center will be located at the main Guest Services & Information tent located just inside the festival entrance located off of the main Boardwalk and South Division Street. Our Access Center services include, but are not limited to:

  • Answers to questions specific to the accessibility Program
  • Information relevant to our patrons with disabilities
  • Requests for accessibility Wristbands
  • Power outlets for recharging powered mobility devices
  • Programming information in large print and braille for reference

  The Festival is wheelchair accessible but is a large venue with great distances between activities and attractions. It is outdoors and across city streets and pathways. Some travel is over natural terrain and terrain designed for motor vehicles. If it should rain, there could be mud. The Festival does not provide personal care, golf cart rides, or push service of any kind or wheelchairs for rent or loan. Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and three or four-wheeled scooters are allowed only for use by patrons with mobility disabilities. For safety reasons, requests to use other power-driven mobility devices will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Powered wheelchairs may also be charged at the Access Center. Patrons should bring all cords and accessories needed to charge their devices. Chargers must use a 110-volt, 20-amp circuit. Accessible portable toilets are available at the ends of each bank of portable toilets throughout the Festival venue. The Festival provides many American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted music performances for patrons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Please email access@oceanscallingfestival.com to request a specific performance be interpreted. We ask that you make a request as soon as possible to allow adequate time to prepare. We will make every effort to accommodate, but cannot guarantee, requests not timely submitted. A schedule of interpreted sets will be posted to the website closer to the event. Outside food and drink is not allowed inside the Festival, but if a patron has special medical dietary restrictions, items will be allowed. Patrons are allowed to bring their medically necessary materials and medications into the Festival, provided that all medicine has a prescription label with the patron’s name. Our personnel at the entry gates will verify the contents of any medically necessary materials. Out of concern for the Festival staff who handle the trash, please dispose of your medical waste and syringes in the proper disposal, which is located at the medical tent. Please see the official Festival map for the location of the medical tent. Please do not dispose of these items in other trash bins at the Festival. Pets are not allowed within the Festival grounds. However, service animals, which have been trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability, are welcome. If accompanied by a service animal, you will be provided a Patron Notice of Responsibility for a Service Animal or you can request the form in advance from access@oceanscallingfestival.com. Please enter through the accessible lane at either entrance.
• Where is the Box Office?

  The Oceans Calling Box Office is located at 5 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842 Box Office Hours Thursday 9/28: 12PM-6PM Friday 9/29: 10AM-10PM Saturday 9/30: 11AM-10PM Sunday 10/1: 11AM-9:30PM
• Are there lockers for rent?

  There are lockers available for rent. Reserve you locker in advance of the festival here.
• Where is the lost & found at the Oceans Calling Festival?

  If you are looking for a lost or misplaced item visit our Lost & Found services page. If you’re at the festival and want to visit the lost and found in person. The lost & found is located at the Guest Services booth close to the Main Entrance. Check back closer to the festival for an exact location.
• Where can I park during the Oceans Calling Festival?

  Parking in the downtown area will be extremely limited during the festival weekend. If you are driving from outside of Ocean City, parking options are available at the West Ocean City Park and Ride, the Oceans City Convention Center, and the 100th Street Municipal Parking Lot. Public Transportation will be available to and from the festival from these locations. Each of these lots offers ADA parking. Public transportation, walking/biking, and ride-sharing are encouraged.
• Is there a charge to ride the Beach Bus?

  Yes, the standard fare is $4 to Ride-All-Day. Remember to have exact cash or your prepaid photo ID General Bus Pass which can be obtained from City Hall.

  Half Fare ($2.00 Ride-All-Day): Senior Citizens age 65 and over, Disabled Persons, Medicare card holders, and Ocean City Non-Resident Senior Bus Pass holders.

  Free: Children 42 inches in height and under, ADA Certified Disabled card holders, and Ocean City Resident Senior Bus Pass holders. Proof of eligibility may be required.

  In addition, buses from an outside provider will be running the service from the West Ocean City Park and Ride. Tickets for the Park and Ride service may be purchased from OC Transportation Staff at the ticket booth at the OC Bus Terminal buildings. Tickets are required to be presented upon boarding.
• Where can my rideshare/taxi drop me off and pick me up?

  The official passenger drop-off and pick-up location for Oceans Calling is located at the 4th Street Municipal Parking Lot which is located at 409 Baltimore Avenue.
• Is the Beach Bus going to be running its normal schedule?

  The Ocean City Beach Bus will be operating in a REDUCED STOP, EXPRESS SERVICE mode along Coastal Highway. The reduced-stop, express service has about 20 stops each way in hopes that it helps buses flow back and forth a little more quickly. Certain stops will be inactive during the three-day weekend. The affected stops will be marked with signs directing passengers to the nearest available active stop.