Located in the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World®, Dana Point Harbor celebrates the annual migration of California gray whales through our coastal waters with the 54th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales, March 7 – 9.
“This festival highlights the beauty of marine life, the value of environmental stewardship and the vibrant culture of Dana Point with a weekend full of unforgettable experiences,” said Dana Point Harbor Partners Partner Bryon Ward. “We are thrilled to continue to support the Festival of Whales Foundation and to invite visitors to join us for this cherished annual tradition, celebrating the majestic migration of whales in the premier whale-watching destination, Dana Point Harbor.”
Classic Festival of Whales Line Up:
The weekend festivities kick off with the Welcoming of the Whales Ceremony at the Ocean Institute on Friday, March 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. The celebration features a sunset ceremony followed by a reception. The remainder of the weekend is packed with interactive events including Wyland Art Lessons In The Wild, where members of the public can create works of art aboard one of Dana Wharf Vessels that will be judged by Wyland himself.
Whale excursions, the classic Dinghy Dash, the Little Pirates Treasure Hunt and Marine Mammal Lecture Series also return this year. The Concert on the Water & BBQ will take place on March 9 at Baby Beach, headlined by Upstream and Surf’s Up performing atop a floating stage. Whether you’d like to stroll the Classic Car Display, participate in a beach cleanup, vote on your favorite chowder in the Clam Chowder Cook-Off or experience Art in the Park, Festival of Whales has entertainment and activities for all ages. Many events benefit local non-profits including Fish for Life, Ocean Institute, Marine Corps League South Coast Detachment and Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club.
“We’re honored to bring the community together for the 54th Annual Festival of Whales, celebrating the migration of California gray whales as they pass Dana Point. Each year, we aim to offer new experiences, educational opportunities and local favorite events. We cannot wait for everyone to see what’s in store,” said Donna Kalez, Chair of the Festival of Whales Foundation and owner of Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching, whose father, Don Hansen, launched the festival 54 years ago. “And, of course, this is one of our favorite weekends of the year to get everyone out on the water to see these magnificent creatures up close.”
New Additions to Festival of Whales 2025:
Camera-ready visitors can discover three brand-new installations including the fun-loving FESTIVAL OF WHALES photo op at Bump Out Park, the stunning Jeffro Uitto driftwood whale sculpture at Don Hansen Memorial Plaza, and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center’s Winston the Whale, a 56-foot, anatomically correct, inflatable walkable whale on the lawn at Island Way.
Shop local across harbor-favorite stores sidewalk sale for weekend-long exclusives, plus support Modern Makers Mart, popping up on Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 4 p.m. along the East Basin boardwalk.
Singalong with Victoria Bailey’s Little Folk Club, Saturday, March 8 from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at Don Hansen Memorial Plaza. Additional musical performances will take place both Saturday and Sunday at Dana Wharf and near Coffee Importers from 12 – 4 p.m.
Offsite this year, the Festival of Whales Carnival will take place at nearby Lantern Bay Park beginning Friday, March 7 from 6 to 10 p.m., as well as Saturday, March 8 from 3 to 10 p.m and Sunday, March 9 from 3 to 9 p.m. The event will feature carnival rides, games, food, music, a beer garden and more. While the beloved Festival of Whales Parade will take a hiatus in 2025, this three-day evening carnival brings a new level of entertainment to the classic community event and will provide a seamless transition from daytime harborside festivities.
Getting to Festival of Whales:
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.
For more information and to view the full list of events, visit festivalofwhales.com and DanaPointHarbor.com.
About Dana Point Harbor: Dana Point Harbor invites you to enjoy fun, sun, ocean activities, delicious dining, shopping and more. From migratory gray whales that frequent the coastline to stunning sunsets and harbor views, there’s seaside beauty and unforgettable adventure at Dana Point Harbor. For more information visit DanaPointHarbor.com or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
About Dana Point Harbor Partners: Dana Point Harbor Partners, LLC (DPHP), a collaboration created to operate and redevelop Dana Point Harbor in a P-3 partnership with the County of Orange, is made up of three “best in class” real estate development firms, each specializing in a unique product type. Burnham Ward Properties is responsible for stewarding the harbor’s Commercial Core activities featuring the retail, restaurants, offices and other landside buildings, as well as all parkscape areas. Bellwether Financial Group guides the marina operations including the boat slips, boater facilities, dry boat storage, day-boat parking, guest slips, and launch ramp areas. R.D. Olson Development leads the hotel redevelopment and hospitality components of the harbor and currently operates the Dana Point Marina Inn.
The partnership is developing a master plan that connects the harbor’s landside and waterside to become a singular cohesive waterfront experience. United by a love of the water and dedicated to preserving Dana Point Harbor’s historical significance, the partnership is applying all areas of respective expertise to ensure every element of the harbor will be thoughtfully designed, redeveloped and managed to be reimagined into a world-class destination with historic roots and local charm.
Photos courtesy of Dana Point Harbor Partners
