Ohana Festival Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary in Dana Point
Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion Bad Religion
Billy Idol Billy Idol Billy Idol Billy Idol Billy Idol Billy Idol Billy Idol Billy Idol
Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends Eddie Vedder and Friends
Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná Maná
Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam
The three-day oceanfront event, Ohana Festival, celebrated its 10 year anniversary on September 25–27, 2026, at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California. I grew up learning to surf/boogie board on this beach. If you were to tell that little girl that she’d be seeing those bands that she watches on MTV performing live on that beach she’d think you were crazy!
Ohana Fest was founded in 2016 by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder in partnership with the band's manager, Mark Smith, and Live Nation, Ohana Festival was created to combine live music with ocean conservation and environmental activism. I hate to admit that I was unaware of how much Eddie Vedder is involved in social activism. Ohana Festival features storytelling in the cove which is a collection of exhibits & panels with leading conservationists, environmentalists, researchers, and professional surfers. There were storytellers throughout the day dedicated to the core pillars of Ohana Fest: Oceans, Activism, Environmental Justice, Art, Community, and Indigenous voice. Right next to it was the art gallery with amazing work from different artists all available for purchase.
We’ve been to a lot of festivals, different genres, different cities, and the one thing we noticed right away about Ohana fest was the people from the parking attendants to the fans brought the ohana vibes that you instantly were among friends. Everyone was not just polite, they were kind, helpful, engaging, offering to take photos for strangers, sharing body glitter (yes we partook in that!), exchanging fun trinkets, just sharing the good vibes.
Walking through the gates was a tunnel of surfboards commemorating the past ten years of Ohana. There were plenty of photo ops with the logo, signs, sand sculptures, and cool things in random places. I thought we stumbled into the VIP section because there were couches, chairs and umbrellas across from the booths, but that was just for GA! We started out at Tequila Corralejo, where they had sample shots and margaritas for purchase. They were giving away hats where you could choose your own patch and they put it on the hat and made it right there! The place was popping! Next to it was Celsius energy drink, giving away full size cans and they had a fun photo booth with a surfboard backdrop. Tito’s vodka was giving away all kinds of swag. Cayman Jack had a Plinko prize giveaway (we won cool sunglasses, still wearing them) and a photo op with the gator.
The stages are set up side by side so no time is wasted between sets. You could see both stages from either side. People brought their blankets, and just kicked it on the hill or in the sand soaking in the good vibes and music. The sunsets Saturday and Sunday were spectacular!
A few of my highlights from this weekend:
The theme of conservation, environment, and activism was definitely a highlight. It gave me hope that people care and are out there educating, sharing, and doing something to stop the destruction.
Billy Idol! I grew up 'Dancing With Myself' when I was 12 years old watching this man blow up on MTV. He played all the favorites “Rebel Yell”, “White Wedding”, “Eyes Without a Face” and many more MTV video hits. Then I lost my mind when Steve Stevens played the Top Gun Anthem, my all time favorite movie and to hear it live was beautiful!
Eddie Vedder and Friends - I haven’t seen Pearl Jam or Eddie Vedder since 1992 when he was climbing scaffolding up to the balcony and monkey bar hanging off it to the other side. He’s mellowed out a little since those days. The set started with a few acoustic songs and different friends. I was in awe and a few tears fell when Billy Idol sat down with Eddie for a song. Two MTV icons! I know I keep bringing up MTV, but that is where Gen X discovered bands at that time.
The legendary four time Grammy award, eight time Latin America Grammy and multiple award winning Maná from Mexico! Eddie Vedder came out to introduce and said it was an honor that they accepted.
We had an amazing time and will definitely be back next year!
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