OCEAN CITY, Md. — The wait is over. Oceans Calling is officially underway Friday afternoon as the first bands take the stage at the inlet.
The three-day festival is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans to Ocean City’s boardwalk for a packed lineup of acts. Gates open at noon, with music starting at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
Michael and Janice Lund were the first in line Friday morning as Oceans Calling returned to the Ocean City Inlet. For the couple, the festival holds special meaning — it’s where they got engaged in 2023.
“We were just walking the beach, coming down to check out the setup … and you just drop down on a knee in the middle of nowhere,” Janice said, recalling the surprise moment. “People were cheering us on, taking pictures. It was really exciting. A special moment.”
Thousands of fans couldn’t wait to get inside the three-day music festival.
Like the Lunds, thousands of fans couldn’t wait to get inside the three-day music festival. Melissa Dudek, one of the first attendees through the gates, said she plans to make the most of the weekend.
“Going to be here early every day, stay through the last act and just absolutely love every minute of it,” she said. “Tonight it’s Green Day. Absolutely love Green Day.”
The festival, which drew about 55,000 people last year, is expected to bring another surge of visitors to Ocean City — and local businesses are feeling the boost.
Headliner Green Day is set to close out opening night Friday. (Oceans Calling)
The influx has also brought a strong public safety presence. Ocean City police are running what they call “maximum deployment,” with every officer working in some capacity during the weekend, according to deputy communications manager Ashley Miller. Buses are also running to help manage the flow of people in and out of town.
Festival organizers have meteorologists on site to monitor conditions in case of severe weather, but for most fans, a little rain won’t stop the music.
“It is not gonna stop me from having fun. I have a hat, I have a poncho. I’m ready to go,” Dudek said.
With gates open and bands taking the stage, Oceans Calling has once again turned Ocean City into a hub for music lovers from across the region.