BALTIMORE — Oceans Calling canceled the rest of its three-day festival Friday, ending hopes that crews could overcome worsening wind and beach erosion to stage shows Saturday and Sunday at the Ocean City Inlet.

“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,” organizers said in a statement. “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.”

All ticket types purchased directly through Front Gate Tickets will be fully and automatically refunded to the original payment method in as little as 30 days, organizers said.

Organizers canceled Friday concerts on Thursday after rough weather eroded the beach and prevented crews from safely completing the festival buildout. Friday ticket holders were promised refunds, while three-day buyers were to receive one-third of their purchase price.

Dave Matthews Band and Hootie & the Blowfish had been scheduled to headline Friday. Twenty One Pilots and Gwen Stefani were the top-billed Saturday performers, followed Sunday by Mumford & Sons and Matchbox Twenty.

Bad weather has dogged Oceans Calling since its creation. The inaugural 2022 festival was canceled one day before opening as remnants of Hurricane Ian approached Maryland. The festival debuted in 2023 amid rain and clouds. A torrential downpour delayed Blink-182’s 2024 performance by nearly an hour, shortening its headlining set, and showers soaked Saturday’s schedule again in 2025.

The latest forecast offered little relief. A National Weather Service wind advisory covers Worcester County and Ocean City from 5 p.m. Friday through 11 a.m. Saturday, with northerly winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts approaching 50 mph along the immediate coast.

Coastal flood warnings remain in effect through 2 a.m. Sunday in inland Worcester County and along the Maryland beaches, with one to two feet of inundation possible in low-lying areas. Ocean City’s Saturday morning and evening high tides were forecast to reach moderate flood levels. Rain chances increase to 50%-65% from Saturday afternoon into Sunday.

Concertgoers on the Boardwalk Thursday expressed disappointment over Friday’s cancellation. Some had traveled from as far away as California.

Friends Lacey Taylor and Sarah DeSpain traveled from Oklahoma for what would have been their first Oceans Calling festival. Taylor came to see Mumford & Sons and Goo Goo Dolls, while DeSpain wanted to see Dave Matthews Band.

Both said they understood the decision.

“It totally makes sense. We did not expect this type of weather,” DeSpain said.

“We’re just more shocked that this is the weather right now,” Taylor said.

Ocean City attorney Tom Maronick said the city made the right call, pointing to potential lawsuits if someone were injured by loose electrical cords, falling equipment or other storm-related hazards.

“Ocean City could face huge liability risks holding the concert, should it not be possible to do so safely,” he said.

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