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Ocean City

Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean City, MD

9/27-9/29, 2024

What to Know if You Are Attending the Oceans Calling Festival

Music Line-up, Transportation, Parking, & More

The 2024 Oceans Calling Festival is a huge three day music festival running from September 27 through September 29, 2024.  It will be located just off the Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland. The Box Office is located at 5 N. Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, MD 21842.

Oceans Calling 2024 sold out very rapidly, but there is still hope if you want tickets.. For all of you coming for the festival who already have tickets, here is the ALL the information you need:  the music line-up with the stages, where to park, how to get around, and how to find what you are looking for inside the grounds for Oceans Calling 2024. For those who don’t have tickets, but want them, you can get verified re-sale tickets on the ticket exchange by Ticket Master site.

Download the 2024 Oceans Calling Information Toolkit
Click to Download the 2024 Oceans Calling Information Toolkit and print or save to your phone.

Oceans Calling Festival Map

Locate stages, bathrooms, lounges, food, beer, charging stations and more on this newly released map for the Oceans Calling 2024!

oceans calling 2024 map of concerts and services
Download the Oceans Calling Festival Map to your Phone

Important Information About Oceans Calling Festival

The Oceans Calling Festival is the biggest music festival in the region.  The 3 day festival in partnership with musicians O.A.R., is on the beach in downtown Ocean City.

If you are attending the festival we recommended downloading the Oceans Calling toolkit and print it or save it to your phone. 

Download The Oceans Calling Tool Kit

When is the Oceans Calling Festival?

  • September 27 – 29, 2024 from 12pm – 11:30pm
  • Doors Open: 12:00 PM daily
  • Music Starts: 12:30 PM

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • Enter at: North & South Division Street
  • Box Office: 5 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, MD 21842
  • Re-Entry: Allowed until 7:00 PM
  • Bag Check: Required – check the bag policy!
  • Features over 30 performances on 3 stages, all on the classic Ocean City Boardwalk.
  • Beach Bus Pick Up and Drop Off is on S Baltimore Street between Wicomico Street and Talbot Street
  • Entrance is on S Division Street and the Beach.
  • There are emergency exits all along the Boardwalk, one by the Sea Bright Stage and one by the Rockville Stage.

Tickets for Oceans Calling

Oceans Calling Festival 2024 is SOLD-OUT.  An official ticket waiting list is available.

Original Face value for Oceans Calling tickets with fees: 1-Day Tickets

  • GA $164.80
  • GA+ $355.35
  • VIP $551
  • Platinum $1050

3-Day Tickets

  • GA $328
  • GA+ $535
  • VIP $901
  • Platinum $2353

We do not recommend buying tickets through any Facebook or social media posts unless you can meet in person before exchanging any money.  These are extremely common for scams.    1-Day and 3-day Tickets are available through 3rd Party Ticket resellers, though you may pay over face value. 

Oceans Calling Merchandise

  • Official Merch Locations:
    • Inside: Near the pier
    • Outside: Pop-up between 1st & 2nd Streets

Wristbands

Reminder: If you tighten your wristband or put it on too soon and need a replacement, bring your wristband, order confirmation, and government-issued ID to the Box Office for a wristband replacement. Please refer to the Wristband Policy for information on wristband replacements as there is a fee. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES

CULINARY DEMOS hosted by Jason Biggs with top chefs:

  • ROBERT IRVINE,
  • AMANDA FREITAG, AND
  • MARC MURPHY 

Locally Curated Food Vendors

Access to the Ocean City Boardwalk & Jolly Roger Amusement Park

  • (admission included with your Oceans Calling Festival Ticket

LAND TRANSPORTATION & PARKING

Tips from George Peake, the Transportation Manager for the Town of Ocean City about his bus service:

“Using our bus system:

  • Due to major residential developments surrounding our north bus station parking is VERY limited in the area
  • Public Parking at 100th Street near the library fills up fast
  • Convention Center parking is free, and we will be focusing on transporting people from these lots until they are full
  • The Coastal Highway bus service runs 6AM to 3AM next day; on a daily basis
  • We are running a shuttle service from/to Park “N’ Ride in west OC and it has free parking.  This shuttle will operate during the hours of 6AM to 1AM next day during the concerts
  • Many will use the outlet mall parking as an overflow
  • We will be selling bus tickets, including multi-day tickets at the Park ‘N’ Ride facility
  • For Oceans Calling I have 165 bus deployments scheduled during the three day event; and for Country’s Calling, (a two day event), 100″
  • Three Main Lots:

    All with public transportation options:

  • Buses

    • OC Buses:
      • Run all weekend (6:00 AM – 2:00 AM)
      • $4 Ride-All-Day pass (exact change only!)
    • Shuttles:
      • West OC Park & Ride shuttle: To/from festival (11:00 AM – 12:00 AM)
      • OC Beach Bus: From 144th Street (limited stops, check the map!)

Water Taxi – OC Bay Hopper

Shuttle by the OC Bay Hopper

  • Operating from 10:45am until midnight on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Pricing will vary by location, as low as $15 per person one way for the shortest rides from West OC.

  • Book a specific trip on a shuttle which has limited capacity.
  • Ticket is for a specific departure time and location and cannot be easily exchanged for another time/location if you miss the scheduled departure
    • The boats are likely to sell out.
  • They will refund any/all money for the shuttle in the event that the concert is cancelled OR the weather on the bay is unsafe/miserable for water transportation.

How to Book a Boat Shuttle

  • Launch the OC Bay Hopper app and navigate to their Shuttle Service.
  • Choose the date you’d like transportation tickets, the number of adults/children, and type (one-way vs. round-trip).
  • For “Hop On Location” you can choose 
      1. OC Bay Hopper- West OC Harbor
      2. Ocean Pines Yacht Club
      3. OC Bay Hopper- 118th Street in North OC, or
      4. OC Convention Center
      5. For “Hop Off Location” choose Oceans/Country Calling Festival, which is a short walk to the boardwalk and festival area.
oc bay hopper water taxi route for oceans calling festival

Oceans Calling 2024 Line-Up

graphic of oceans calling music line up 2024

Line-Up by Day

OCEANS CALLING FRIDAY, Sept 27th SCHEDULE

Sea Bright Stage
12:30-1:00 Stolen Gin
1:45 – 2:30 Winona Fighter
3:15-4:15 Larkin Poe
5:15-6:15 O.A.R.
7:15-8:15 Cage the Elephant
9:30-11:00 Blink-182 (Headliner)

Rockville Stage
1:00-1:45 Vincent Lima
2:30-3:15 Phillip Phillips
4:15-5:15 The Darkness
6:15 – 7:15 311
8:15-9:30  Sublime 

Carousel Stage
1:45-2:30 Chef Marc Murphy
3:15-4:15 Tonic
5:15-6:15 Sugar Ray
7:15-8:15 The Revivalists

OCEANS CALLING SATURDAY, Sept 28th SCHEDULE

Sea Bright Stage
12:30-1:15 Glom
2:00 – 2:45 Trevor Hall
3:30-4:15 The Beaches
5:15-6:15 Young the Giant
7:15-8:15 The Beach Boys
9:30-11:00 The Killers (Headliner)

Rockville Stage
1:15-2:00 Katelyn Tarver
2:45-3:30 Switchfoot
4:15-5:15 The Hives
6:15 – 7:15 Rebelution
8:15-9:30  The Offspring

Carousel Stage
12:30-1:15 Chef Robert Irvine
2:00-2:45 The Samples
3:30-4:15 Brett Dennen
5:15-6:15 Grouplove
7:15-8:15 The All American Rejects

OCEANS CALLING SUNDAY, Sept 29th SCHEDULE

Sea Bright Stage
1:15-2:00 Jade Bird
2:45-3:45 Guster
4:45-5:45 Barenaked Ladies
6:45-7:45 Mt. Joy
9:00-11:00 Dave Matthews Band (Headliner)

Rockville Stage
12:30-1:15 Stephen Kellogg
2:00-3:00 Big Head Tod and the Monsters
3:45-4:45 Blues Traveler
5:45-6:45 O.A.R. & Friends
7:45-9  Counting Crowes

Carousel Stage
1:15-2:00 Chef Amanda Freitag
2:45-3:45 Lisa Loeb
4:45-5:45 Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
6:45-7:45 Boyz II Men

Click on the image above to make your reservations for a water shuttle during Oceans Calling. Avoid the crowds!
Click on image above to make your reservations for the OC Bay Hopper shuttle during the Oceans Calling 2024 concert weekend. Avoid the crowds, travel by water.
food vendors for oceans calling 2024
Check out the food vendors coming in for Oceans Calling 2024. You can also enjoy the same great food from the Boardwalk from N. Division St. south.

Quick aerial video of the set-up of Oceans Calling 2023.  The inlet parking lot has been closed and the set-up for Bike Week and Oceans Calling will commence.  Watch for more current videos.

Blogs & Articles on Oceans Calling

Find out what to do and how to do it during the Oceans Calling Festival.  If you didn’t get tickets, we will add some great ideas on ways to enjoy Ocean City and the live music scene anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions for Oceans Calling

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.
 
Category: 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.
Category: 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.
Category: Oceans Calling
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
Category: Oceans Calling
There are lockers available for rent.  Reserve you locker in advance of the festival here. 
Category: Oceans Calling
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.
Category: Oceans Calling
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.
Category: Oceans Calling
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.
Category: Oceans Calling
There will be a bicycle storage area located on the beach between first and 2nd street. Make sure you bring a lock!
Category: Oceans Calling
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.
Category: Oceans Calling
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.
Category: Oceans Calling
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.
Category: 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.
Category: Oceans Calling
Events during Oceans Calling

Hotels for the Oceans Calling Festival

If you haven’t booked your stay yet in Ocean City for the weekend of 9/27-9/29, then you better get going.  Rooms are going fast.  Let OceanCity.com help you find the perfect room or vacation rental.  Check for Hotels here.

Oceanfront Hotels

Top Choice! 360°

Grand Hotel Oceanfront

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Ocean City Hotel Group

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OC MD Hotels – 14 Unique Hotels

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Staff Pick 360°

Hilton Oceanfront Suites

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Park Place Hotel

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Princess Royale Hotel

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