The Ocean Way Festival, a new event that was set for Sept. 26-27 at the Beach in Santa Monica put on by Los Angeles promoter Goldenvoice, has been canceled due to the impacts of Hurricane Maria.
According to a post on Friday, Sept. 11 on the festival's Instagram page, the City of Santa Monica decided to cancel the festival after the storm caused significant beach erosion, and it cannot be held safely as planned.
The cancelation comes as Southern California prepares for a potentially wetter and stormier season.
A strong El Niño is developing in the Pacific Ocean, a climate pattern that can influence the track and strength of storms reaching the West Coast.
"We were excited to spend a weekend together at The Beach, but can share that plans are underway
to bring the festival to Santa Monica in 2027," organizers said in the post.
Refunds for Ocean Way festival
Refunds will be processed automatically to the original form of payment, requiring no action from festivalgoers. According to the Ocean Way Festival website, refunds will take a few business days to process.
Ocean Way festival headliners
The Killers and Olivia Dean were scheduled to headline, and it also included Jack White, Khruangbin, Sublime, Durand Jones & The Indications, Blond:ish, 54 Ultra, Carlita, and more.
Hurricane Marie caused a massive sinkhole in Malibu
Over Labor Day weekend, Southern California experienced the remnants of Hurricane Marie, which brought rain and hazardous surf to the area. Even though the storm did not make landfall, the National Weather Service indicated that swells generated by Marie would continue to impact parts of Southern California for several days.
A massive sinkhole that opened near a Malibu home reportedly owned by actor Nicolas Cage has prompted evacuations, as officials warn that rain, high surf, and coastal erosion could worsen conditions. The sinkhole emerged Tuesday, Sept. 8, near a beachfront property on Sea Level Drive. By Tuesday evening, it had grown to roughly 25 to 30 feet deep and measured about 30 feet by 60 feet, according to the city of Malibu.
The city declared a local emergency and ordered evacuations for properties along Sea Level Drive after the expanding sinkhole restricted access for residents and emergency crews.
Officials have pointed to coastal erosion as a major factor behind the collapse. According to SF Gate, some Malibu beaches lost about 3.6 feet of coastline per year.
The sinkhole formed along a beachfront road as powerful surf and high tides battered the Southern California coastline. The city said it is monitoring coastal erosion in several parts of Malibu as strong waves and tides affect the shoreline.
Previous reporting by USA TODAY was included in this report.
Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Ocean Way Festival in California canceled due beach erosion from storm
