Every year, Dana Point hosts the Festival of Whales – a beloved event that honors the incredible migration of the Gray Whales. Held March 7-9, 2025, the festival draws visitors from near and far to celebrate the beauty and majesty of these marine giants while offering immersive events, educational activities, and entertainment. As the official Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World®, Dana Point is positioned as a natural migratory route for whales, making it a prime location to see these majestic creatures. Check out the happenings at the 54th Annual Festival of Whales!

Whale Watching Adventures

Festival-goers can hop aboard whale watching tours, where expert guides share fascinating insights about the whales’ behavior, biology, and more! There’s nothing quite like seeing a whale breach the surface of the water or witnessing the playful spouts of these gentle giants. Visit DanaPointWhaleWatching.com to book your whale watching adventure. Guests can also check out Dana Wharf Whale Watching, Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari, or Ocean Institute.

A Big Splash for a New Event

The City of Dana Point is thrilled to invite festival-goers to a brand new event – a three day carnival at Lantern Bay Park! Bring your family and friends to enjoy an array of exciting carnival rides, games, and delicious food. The carnival will take place on Friday, March 7 from 6-10pm; Saturday, March 8 from 3-10pm; and Sunday, March 9 from 3-9pm. This fun-filled event is perfect for all ages. The Pet Project Foundation will host a beer garden Friday – Sunday until 8:00 pm with a DJ for live music and announcements. A free shuttle will run from Dana Hills High School to Lantern Bay Park. Purchase ride tickets

Fins Up! Events & Happenings at the Festival

The Festival of Whales has a full calendar of weekend festivities fit for families and friends of all ages. On Friday, join the community and welcome our deep sea neighbors at the Welcoming of the Whales Kickoff Ceremony & Reception at the Ocean Institute followed by an evening at the Carnival at Lantern Bay Park.

Continue the celebrations on Saturday at the Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash – a cardboard boat building contest and race at Baby Beach. Kids adults and groups are encouraged to sign-up and compete. After the Dash, guests can walk the Harbor boardwalk areas to shop from a selection of handmade goods and unique items at Art in the Park and Modern Makers Mart. While on your stroll, listen to musical styles and sounds by live performers. Getting hungry yet? The beloved Clam Chowder Cook-off, held at Baby Beach, provides a vibrant atmosphere with live music, beer and spirit gardens, and of course – chowder! With the purchase of a tasting ticket, guests get to taste all chowders from over a dozen local restaurants and vote for their favorite. Additional action-packed fun for the day includes the Carnival, classic car displays, Marine Mammal Lecture Series, Wyland Art Lessons, and more.

Round out the weekend with these fun-filled events on Sunday. The kiddos can start their morning at the Little Pirates Treasure Hunt digging for buried treasure at Baby Beach. After the treasure hunt, Dana Wharf Sportfishing invites children to come to their dockside fishing clinic and learn hands-on techniques on fishing from the experts. Bring your beach chairs and blankets to enjoy an afternoon of live music, food, and spirits at the Concert on the Water & BBQ. This free concert is held at Baby Beach in the Dana Point Harbor allowing guests to lounge or dance in the sand while listening to the bands playing on a specially designed floating dock. Continue the fun at the Carnival, Art in the Park, Modern Makers Mart, Marine Mammal Lecture Series, live music pop-ups, classic car displays and more.

The Festival is not only a celebration but also a reminder of the importance of protecting the ocean and the creatures that call it home. Join Stand Up To Trash for a beach cleanup on Sunday from 9-10:30am at Ocean Institute. The “BYOB” philosophy (bring your own bucket or reusable bag, reusable gloves, water bottle or coffee cup) to help reduce any additional waste, but collection supplies will be available at check-in.

Migrating to the Event

Locals and guests alike can choose from a variety of transportation and parking options. The Dana Point Trolley will run from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, and run from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday with a route from Dana Hills High School and City Hall to Del Prado to Park Lantern to Ocean Institute. Festival stops along Dana Point Harbor Drive include Baby Beach, Island Way, and Golden Lantern. The Dana Point Harbor Shuttle is available daily from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. running the standard route from the East Island Lot to Mariner’s Village and Dana Wharf. For more details on parking at the harbor, visit danapointharbor.com/plan-your-visit/parking. Biking and walking are highly encouraged with pedestrian entry points located along Dana Point Harbor Drive at Embarcadero Place, Golden Lantern, Casitas Place and Island Way.

View a full schedule of events