It is not acceptable to fake or exaggerate a disability to gain access to disability accommodations. Our Accessibility Department has finite resources and needs to focus these resources on helping those who legitimately require assistance.

There will be an Accessibility Services Hub conveniently located inside the festival grounds to support and address the needs of all attendees with accessibility needs. This location will be labeled on the guest facing map when released. There is no accessibility pre-registration before the event - this is all done onsite at the event.

At an Accessibility Services Hub, you can:

• Learn about accessibility services and receive answers to your questions;
• Receive an accessibility wristband;
• Effective Communication check-in;
• Register service animals

Guests with disabilities wishing to utilize many of the accessibility services at Ocean Way Festival will be required to acquire an accessibility wristband. This wristband is acquired onsite at our Accessibility Service location. There is not an “accessibility ticket” that needs to be purchased in order to utilize accessibility services at Ocean Way Festival.

• Accessibility wristbands are valid for the duration of the festival.
• DO NOT remove your wristband for the duration of the festival.
• One (1) accessibility companion wristband will be issued per guest with a disability.
• Additional wristbands may be issued for families with young children.

If a person with a disability wishes to change their companion, they can obtain a new accessibility companion wristband by returning the formerly used companion wristband to the Accessibility Services Hub, where it will be replaced. We are unable to reissue any accessibility wristbands unless the original wristband is brought back to us to be reissued.

We encourage guests with mobility disabilities to utilize personal forms of transportation, including wheelchairs and scooters. Crutches, walkers and canes are also permitted. Please note that we will not be renting mobility devices onsite.

Accessible Routes

While the festival is held on a sandy beach there are firm accessible pathways connected throughout the venue including entrances, stages, accessible viewing areas, merchandise, and accessible restrooms. VIP areas are also accessible. The venue is navigable for people with mobility disabilities.

Guests will need to traverse throughout the festival grounds independently or with the assistance of a companion as the festival does not provide transportation. If you need assistance finding your most accessible route around the event, please visit us at the Accessibility Services Hub.

Charging

If you need to recharge your motorized mobility device or other medical equipment, you may do so at the Accessibility Services Hub and at the main stage accessible viewing area.

• Bring all cords and accessories needed to charge your devices.
• Chargers must use a 110-volt, 20 amp circuit.
• We will not be providing wheelchair or scooter rentals.

All off site parking lots for the festival will have ADA Parking. Please visit the Parking Webpage for the festival for information and directions for each parking lot. Accessible Shuttles will be available to transport guests with disabilities from these parking lots to the festival and back to the lots at the conclusion of the event.

ADA Loading/Unloading will be located in the festival’s Rideshare Lot. This is located off Baynard Way in between Ocean Park Blvd and Ashland Ave. You will require a valid state issued disabled persons parking placard, plates, or permit to enter this lot if you are not a rideshare vehicle. You can not park in this lot. This lot is exclusively for dropping off and picking up.

The Metro Rail E Line is fully accessible. Exit at the Downtown Santa Monica Station, located less than one mile from the Ocean Way Festival entrance via an accessible route. Please note, for the most accessible entry proceed down Hollister Ave (as opposed to Bicknell Ave) off Ocean Avenue. For rail schedules, routes, times and connections check metro.net.

Please check back 30 days prior to the event for updates.

There will be a designated accessible entry lane located at the main festival entrance, which will be labeled with signage. Guests with disabilities and up to one (1) companion may use this entrance to safely enter the venue. After using the accessible entry, please visit the Accessibility Services Hub immediately to inquire of further accessible services provided at the event.

There will be accessible viewing areas made available to guests with disabilities and their one (1) companion at designated stages. For information on how to gain access to these areas, please visit us at the Accessibility Services Hub.

Rules

• Companions may be asked to stand in the back of the viewing area if capacity is reached.
• Viewing Areas are non-smoking/vaping
• Guests are not allowed to save spots.
• If a guest or companion is not-present for longer than one hour, their spot will be given to another guest with a disability
• Do not block the view of the guests behind you.
• All seating is first come, first served.

Interpreters & Additional Services

• American Sign Language interpreters can be available for select performances, upon request.
• Closed captioning, braille/large font print, guided tours, or other forms of effective communication can be available upon request.

Requests for these services must be emailed to us at least 30 days prior to the event to allow for sufficient preparation. The deadline for this event is August 13th, 2026. To submit a request, please fill out our Effective Communication Request Form.

Once you are onsite, please check-in at the Accessibility Services Hub to be connected with our interpreting team.

Assisted Listening

Assisted Listening Device Systems are available for those with hearing impairments. For more information, please contact ada@oceanwayfestival.com or visit our Accessibility Services Hub at the event.

Service animals are permitted throughout the festival.

Rules

• NO emotional support animals, therapy animals, or companion animals.
• Pets are not allowed and will be turned away.
• Only legitimate service animals that are properly trained and under the proper care of their owners will be provided with the appropriate credentials.
• Service animals must remain by the handler’s side at all times and must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
  • If these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal or other effective controls.
• Service animals must be housebroken and should use the service animal relief area.
• Anyone bringing an animal will be responsible for and liable for any damage or injury caused by the animal.
• All service animals must receive a service animal credential in order to enter the venue.

All concessions are accessible and located throughout the venue. If assistance is required, please confer with the nearest festival staff member.

A fully-equipped medical site staffed by trained personnel will be centrally located within the festival to manage any medical issue. Check the festival map when released for the exact location.

All prescription medications must be in the original manufacturer container with your name on it, which matches your government-issued photo ID. Please only bring a sufficient amount of medication for the duration of the event. Your medications must be cleared by the medical team at the event entry. Upon entry, ask for a crowd management supervisor to connect you with a member of the medical team.

Ocean Way Festival will have food vendors that provide gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free dietary options. For those with special dietary needs beyond the festival food service, please please fill out our Dietary Restriction Form.

Goldenvoice will consider any request by an attendee with a disability for reasonable modification of its policies, practices or procedures or for auxiliary aids and services that will permit the attendee equal enjoyment of the goods and services offered at the Festival. We encourage you to make any such request as far in advance as possible to enhance our ability to evaluate and fulfill the request.

In continually trying to make our festival more accessible, we encourage you to contact us at ada@oceanwayfestival.com for any of your accessibility-related needs. Additionally, if you have any questions about Accessible policies or our services, please reach out to us.

Please note that it may take up to two business days (weekends not included) to receive a response. During the week of the event, you can expect a response within 24 hours. If you are already onsite at the event and require assistance, please visit any of our Accessibility Services Hubs onsite to receive direct assistance.

We welcome and encourage any feedback and suggestions from our attendees. Please email us at ada@oceanwayfestival.com. We will do our best to help you have an unforgettable experience.