Standing on one of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California. Tropical like weather and lush green surroundings frame this award winning festival. A place where surf culture has its roots. The philosophy was simple, leave ordinary life behind, follow waves, live simply, and belong to an informal tribe defined by skill, local knowledge, and respect for the ocean. These were the ideals that helped form the Ohana Fest in August of 2016. A collaboration of stardom and promotion made possible through the generosity of the time spent by State Parks and Recreation. The festival is closely identified with Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, who co-founded the event with Pearl Jam manager Mark Smith and Live Nation promoter Rich Best. Today it is produced by C3 Presents, the major festival producer behind events including Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival. Ohana Fest is a four-time Pollstar Music Festival of the Year winner in the global under-30,000-attendance category, including three consecutive wins from 2024 through 2026. Pollstar is one of the major trade publications covering the international live-entertainment business. Its awards are industry awards rather than consumer popularity contests. Pollstar describes them as the only peer-voted awards in the live-entertainment industry. Nominees are selected through a committee drawn from agents, promoters, managers, producers, production professionals, venues, Pollstar box-office reporters and other touring professionals; subscribers vote, with ticketing and box-office data weighted in some categories. Ohana Fest went on to receive a more local accolade in 2023 when Modern Luxury Orange County named it Best Local Music Festival in its Best of Orange County awards. Considering that Ohana is up against mega festivals, the recognition is a testament to the hard work of the people involved. I can tell you from first hand experience that you will be unable to avoid core memories being built. When the sun sets over the ocean behind you and bands like Black Pumas or Lord Huron give you emotionally charged performances from the stage you will lose yourself in the experience. You will begin to sway as part of the crowd, for a point in time becoming part of a group consciousness. We are all connected in those moments. Everyday life melts in the raw emotions that times like this encompass. Goose bumps are common. This is more than just a festival to work for staff. This is a coveted invitation to celebrate Ohana with many familiar faces from prior years. Ohana is the Hawaiian word for family, and no word could define the atmosphere of this festival more accurately. There are staff and attendees that have joined this extended family for every celebration, and will be at this 10th anniversary. You might even look out at the ocean, and find the Coast Guard anchored in the distance keeping a watchful eye on the coastline. If that doesn't sell this experience, consider that a substantial portion of the festival is devoted to The Cove, which combines educational programming, exhibits, speakers, conservation groups and visual art. For 2026, Ohana identifies six core Storytellers themes: Oceans, Activism, Environmental Justice, Art, Community and Indigenous Voices.