OCEAN CITY, Md. - Fans of Boardwalk Rock will have to wait an extra year before the music returns to the beach, as organizers announced the festival will not be held in 2026.
The Town of Ocean City said that despite strong efforts, “a variety of challenges” made it difficult to produce the same high-quality experience fans have come to expect.
“Boardwalk Rock quickly became a highlight of Ocean City’s spring event calendar,” said Ocean City Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo. “While we are disappointed to take a pause in 2026, we are fully committed to working with C3 Presents to bring the festival back stronger than ever in 2027.”
Organizers of the festival say on social media that they are already looking ahead to the next edition and are focused on delivering another “incredible lineup” in 2027. (Boardwalk Rock Facebook)
Perlozzo said a pair of headliners dropped out of next year’s event, making it difficult to fill the lineup in time.
“We had two headliners drop out, and we couldn’t find a replacement,” he said. “We want to make sure the product exceeds expectations for fans who come here to enjoy that kind of music.”
The decision comes after what many considered a successful first year for the Boardwalk Rock music festival. Thousands of visitors filled the Ocean City Inlet area, local businesses saw a boost in sales, and hotels reported strong bookings throughout the weekend.
“It was a phenomenal event for us this year, so it’s going to be greatly missed next year,” said Erin Soriano, manager of Fisher’s Popcorn on the Boardwalk.
Local hotels and boardwalk businesses say they’re disappointed to see the festival pause. Perlozzo says other major events, including Ocean’s Calling and Country Calling, remain on the calendar for next year.
Organizers of the festival say on social media that they are already looking ahead to the next edition and are focused on delivering another “incredible lineup” in 2027.
Boardwalk Rock, which debuted this year, is one of many music festivals that take place on the Ocean City boardwalk. The 2025 lineup featured Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Nickelback and Def Leppard.
