Oceans Calling returns to Ocean City Inlet Beach in Maryland from September 25 through 27, 2026, with Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots and Mumford & Sons closing its three nights. For rock fans, though, the weekend takes shape much earlier in the day, with Dishwalla, Everclear, Liz Phair, Violent Femmes and Fastball spread across a bill that reaches well beyond the headliners.
The festival, presented in partnership with O.A.R., uses the Sea Bright, Rockville and Carousel stages along the beach and boardwalk. Its published schedule rewards a little advance planning. Several of the strongest rock pairings happen at the same time, and a late arrival means missing entire stretches of the lineup. All times below are Eastern.
Friday’s first big choice is Hootie or Yellowcard
Friday’s afternoon run includes KT Tunstall at 1:45 p.m. and Better Than Ezra at 3:15 p.m. on Sea Bright. Liz Phair takes Carousel at 5 p.m., giving fans a route through those three sets before O.A.R. plays Rockville at 6 p.m.
The first major evening decision arrives at 7 p.m. Hootie & the Blowfish and Yellowcard have simultaneous hourlong sets on Sea Bright and Carousel, respectively. That choice puts two different eras of radio rock in direct competition. Ludacris follows on Rockville at 8 p.m., before Dave Matthews Band takes Sea Bright for a two hour closing set beginning at 9 p.m.
Saturday runs from Everclear to Twenty One Pilots
Dishwalla opens its Sea Bright set at 2 p.m., opposite American Authors on Carousel. Everclear follows on Sea Bright at 3:30 p.m., with Violent Femmes starting on Rockville at 4:15 p.m. The afternoon offers a substantial run of guitar music before the festival reaches its biggest names.
Third Eye Blind and Dashboard Confessional both begin at 5:15 p.m., another split that will force some decisions. After 311’s Rockville set at 6:15 p.m., Gwen Stefani and All Time Low take separate stages at 7:15 p.m. Goo Goo Dolls then has a 75 minute slot on Rockville starting at 8:15 p.m. Twenty One Pilots closes Sea Bright from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Fans can catch those final two sets in sequence, provided they allow time to move between stages.
Sunday gives O.A.R. a second act
Fastball starts on Sea Bright at 1:15 p.m., followed by Jet at 3 p.m. Susanna Hoffs plays Carousel during Jet’s slot, and Hanson and OK Go share the 5 p.m. start time on those same two stages. Sunday keeps the choices coming well before its closing stretch.
O.A.R. returns for a separate O.A.R. and Friends set on Rockville from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Caamp and My Morning Jacket follow at 7:15 p.m. on Sea Bright and Carousel. Matchbox Twenty takes Rockville at 8:15 p.m., with Mumford & Sons closing the festival on Sea Bright from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Boardwalk bites and what to know before you go
The boardwalk remains part of the festival experience, with local food vendors and Jolly Roger at the Pier inside the grounds. Cooking demonstrations add another reason to arrive early: Robert Irvine is scheduled for Friday, Alex Guarnaschelli for Saturday and Antonia Lofaso for Sunday. Jason Biggs is the festival’s host.
Gates are scheduled to open at noon and close at 11 p.m. each day. The official festival guide gathers the map, wristband activation, bag policies and transportation information, while Festiverse is the event’s official mobile app. Set times and artists remain subject to change.
As of September 17, the festival listed Sunday tickets as available, with Friday, Saturday and three day passes on waitlist. Current availability and verified resale options are listed on the official ticket page.
Rock Documented will be on site for photography and coverage throughout the weekend.
