Oceans Calling music festival was brand new and highly anticipated in 2022: Jack Johnson and Alanis Morissette set to headline, stages mounted at the Ocean City Inlet, boardwalk eateries stocked, 40,000 tickets sold. But the day before the festival’s launch, a Hurricane Ian-storm crashed down on Maryland, and the event was canceled. Good thing, too. That storm tore up the beachfront stage and flooded downtown Ocean City for almost a week. Don’t worry, this isn’t a Fyre Festival situation. Patrons were bummed, but all refunded. Now, the music festival will attempt its debut once again, with Jack and Alanis back and ready to wail into the ocean, joined by John Mayer, The Lumineers, Sheryl Crow, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and many more.
The lineup has a lot of established musicians for a new festival, in part a credit to the three-day festival’s founders, O.A.R. You might remember them as authors of the exquisitely-2008, yearn-filled rock song “Shattered.” The Maryland-bred band will play at least one “special set.”
Beyond the early 2000’s throwbacks, this festival is all about the beach. You can catch the tail-end of summer, avoiding the height-of-season Ocean City boardwalk crowds but still, weather permitting, relish some sun and heat in front of three stages by the water. The playful among you can follow the ocean’s call into the waves for a quick dip. Local food vendors will have typical Maryland boardwalk cuisine to munch on: crab, shrimp, fries, ice cream.
In addition to the boardwalk snacks available for purchase, Food Network regulars and celeb chefs Robert Irvine and Amanda Freitag will give cooking demos. Their demos, hosted by Jason Biggs — yes, that guy from American Pie — will celebrate “regional cuisine.” More crabs, more shrimp? Go and find out. Maybe you can nibble on gourmet crab cakes to the soundtrack of mid-Atlantic waves and Weezer.
Away from the music are boardwalk festivities: carnival rides, arcade games and funnel cakes all within festival grounds, (there will be a whole Jolly Roger at the Pier amusement park within the festival grounds) so you don’t have to worry about re-entry. You can feel like a kid again with cotton candy and a round of Dance Dance Revolution. If all goes well, Ocean’s Calling will be like one of those sandy, delicious summer beach days we always remember. Hopefully the world’s weather systems comply this year.
The Specs
- Last year, over 40,000 tickets were sold
- If you’re looking to buy tickets, single-day passes only remain for Sunday; one-day GA tickets cost $135; GA+ tickets, which include a lounge and air-conditioned bathrooms, go for $295; VIP tickets, at $475, add on a VIP concierge, a separate entrance, and storage lockers.
- 3-day passes range from $300 to $900.
- While you’re on the Maryland coastline, make a daytrip to Rehobeth Beach. Or head to Baltimore.
FAQs
What is the closest airport to the Oceans Calling festival?
There are a few small airports in the Ocean City area, but your best bet will be Baltimore International Airport. You could also try Ronald Reagan Airport in D.C., or Philadelphia International Airport. Each of these are just under three hour’s drive from Ocean City, with various shuttle or public transit options.
Where is Oceans Calling festival 2023 held?
Ocean City Inlet Beach, 809 South Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD, United States, Maryland.
Do my Oceans Calling festival 2023 passes include food?
No. food and drinks are sold separately at the festival. All ticket tiers include free water fountains.
Is there camping at the fest?
No. but there are many nearby hotels and AirBnbs.
Is Ocean’s Calling accessible?
Yes. the festival has an accessible entrance, and an ADA “Access Center” onsite at the festival entrance to answer questions and provide accessibility wristbands and services.
Which artists are on the Oceans Calling lineup?
Jack Johnson, Alanis Morrisette, John Mayer, The Lumineers, Slightly Stoopid, Third Eye Blind, Michael Franti & Spearhead, O.A.R., Incubus, Noah Kahan, Sheryl Crow, Weezer, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Dirty Heads, Declan McKenna, Peach Pit, Paolo Nutini, Dispatch, Jimmy Eat World, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Fitz and the Tantrums, Grace Potter, The Wallflowers, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Devon Gilfillian, Michigander, Calder Allen, Matt and Kim, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, Gin Blossoms, White Reaper, The New Respects, Virginia Coalition, Pup Punk, The Driver Era, G. Love & Special Sauce, Robert Randolph Band, Alo, Joe P, O.A.R.
2023 Poster
