Oceans Calling Festival canceled due to impacts of nor’easter
By Renee Anderson, Bryan Lynn, Caroline Foreback
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OCEAN CITY, Maryland (WJZ) — Maryland’s Oceans Calling Festival announced on Friday it has canceled all days of the music event due to coastal flooding impacting the site in Ocean City.
The full cancellation of the festival came one day after organizers announced they were canceling the first day of the event due to weather concerns.
In a statement issued on Friday, festival organizers said, “The National Weather Service is reporting a stronger and more updated westward track of the Nor’easter storm system. Tides, floods, and high winds have prevented us from safely continuing the build of Oceans Calling Festival.”
“Following the advice of the National Weather Service, and in cooperation with local public officials, we must make the difficult decision to cancel Oceans Calling 2026,” it added.
The cancellation comes as a powerful nor’easter develops off the East Coast. Maryland’s eastern seaboard is expected to see coastal flooding and beach erosion from the storm, as well as gusty winds and some rain showers into the weekend.
The festival site already saw flooding and beach erosion beginning on Thursday.
In nearby Bethany Beach, officials announced on social media that all beaches are closed until Monday because of the high tides and flood risk. The town said it will reassess beach conditions on Monday and decide at that time how to proceed.
The social media post urged visitors to “stay safe and protect your family,” warning people not to attempt to walk or drive through flood waters.
The state’s Department of Emergency Management raised its activation level to “enhanced” on Friday, as it monitors potential impacts from the storm.
Oceans Calling ticket refunds Among the artists who were scheduled to perform at the festival were Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish, Ludacris, Twenty One Pilots, Gwen Stefani, Mumford & Sons, Matchbox Twenty and O.A.R.
With the weekend of music now called off, tens of thousands of festival goers are left disappointed.
“We were kind of prepared for the worst, hoping for the best kind of thing,” said one festival goer from Annapolis.
“I literally just started crying,” said another from New York.
A bartender, named Jake, said he traveled all the way from Michigan to work the festival. He said the last-minute cancellation means a “very substantial” loss of income.
“If it’s safety precaution reasons why we’re not doing this, you’ve got to just roll with the punches,” he said, adding, “It’s very disappointing to not be able to hear the artists that were supposed to be here.”
Organizers say all ticket types purchased directly through Front Gate Tickets will be fully and automatically refunded in as little as 30 days to the original method of payment.
“Thank you to the Oceans Calling fans. We know how far you have travelled, and the time and energy you have put into being here,” the latest statement said. “If you are in town already and staying through the weekend; please enjoy Ocean City and be safe.”
Nor’easter also impacting boaters in Annapolis The developing nor’easter will stay safely off of Maryland’s coast, but some impacts are still likely due to its size and intensity.
Coastal flood warnings are in effect for many areas of central and southern Chesapeake Bay, as well as the back bays near Ocean City and for the Ocean City inlet. Up to 2.5 feet of water above dry ground is expected during the early morning high tides.
A coastal flood warning is also in effect for Anne Arundel County, where officials in Annapolis handed out free sandbags Wednesday. The waters around the city were under a small craft advisory through at least Friday morning.
Tom Vanderpool and his dog, Foxy, have been boating from Canada down to the Bahamas, but their voyage is now interrupted as the developing nor’easter forces them inland.
“I’ve gone about 5,000 miles,” said Vanderpool. “Trying to find some place that’s a safe shelter.”
He said he’ll stay docked at Ego Alley for the week to avoid the dangerous conditions at sea.
“The waves are 15 feet out in the ocean right now. They’re 5 to 7 feet out in the bay,” he said.
Even safely docked, he’s still feeling the impact.
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