Although damage to the Santa Monica shoreline from Hurricane Marie forced Goldenvoice to postpone its inaugural Ocean Way Festival until 2027, the company is moving ahead with community benefits promised as part of the festival agreement with the California Coastal Commission.
In his weekly newsletter, Councilmember Dan Hall outlined what Golden Voice is funding:
- Continuum: Honoring the History of Belmar and Black Santa Monica, a free, all-ages cultural event presented by the City and GV Black at Historic Belmar Park on October 11 from noon to 5 p.m.
- Free youth water safety workshops with the Surf Bus Foundation on October 11 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Annenberg Community Beach House.
- Community garden improvements, including fencing, drip irrigation and storm-proofing at Reed Park, compost bin lids at the Ishihara Learning Garden, and café lighting at the 19th Street Community Farm.
- $15,000 for youth programs at the Santa Monica Pier Corporation and another $15,000 for LA Surfrider’s One Watershed program.
The Ocean Way Festival was originally scheduled for this year as a new Goldenvoice music festival on the Santa Monica waterfront. Damage from Hurricane Marie led organizers to postpone the event rather than hold it in 2026.
The city said it is now working with Goldenvoice and the Coastal Commission to determine community benefits for the festival when it takes place in 2027.
