Three years after its impressive debut, Darker Waves is coming back to Huntington Beach and the 2026 edition of the festival looks like it was worth the wait.
The fest is set for Saturday, November 14th at Huntington Beach City Beach — right where Huntington Street meets Pacific Coast Highway. If you’ve never been, it’s hard to beat that setting: ocean air, open sky, and a stage setup that makes the whole thing feel bigger than your average one-day festival.
Over 35 artists are slated across three stages, so there will be plenty to keep you busy all day.
This time around, Morrissey and The Smashing Pumpkins are headlining, which alone should get plenty of people’s attention. But the lineup stretches well beyond those two names; Simple Minds, Adam Ant, The Psychedelic Furs, Soft Cell, Gary Numan, The Damned, and more are all on the bill, giving the festival a strong classic new wave and post-punk backbone. Add in Bad Religion, Circle Jerks, and Buzzcocks and you’ve also got a serious punk contingent showing up, as well.
Rounding things out are Manic Street Preachers, Silversun Pickups, EMF, Spacehog, Marky Ramone, Mariachi El Bronx, Cold Cave, Missing Persons, Modern English, The Motels, Christian Death, The Sounds, and a handful of newer acts including Choir Boy and others drawing from goth and darkwave arenas.
Ticket options range from general admission all the way up to Ultimate VIP, which includes elevated views of both main stages, a complimentary meal, three drinks, locker storage, and a dedicated concierge. GA+ is a solid middle-ground option, offering shaded seating, air-conditioned restrooms, and a dedicated entry lane. Layaway plans start at $19.99 down, which makes it much easier to lock in a spot without paying everything upfront.
If you’d rather make a weekend of it, Jampack is offering official vacation packages that bundle tickets with stays at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach or The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton property. Packages include dedicated entrance, re-entry access, and commemorative merch. The presale kicks off today, Thursday, April 2nd at 10am PT — so don’t wait! Secure your entry today. Fall festival season just got a lot more interesting and you don’t want to miss this one.
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