Surf City Ocean Fest Returns! Here’s What to Expect This Year

Celebrate Topsail Island’s surf heritage at the annual Surf City Ocean Fest, held September 20-21. This popular fall event is back for its fourth year with yet another exciting lineup of beach activities. Jam to live music performances at Soundside Park, enjoy the nostalgia of the Vintage Surf Contest, taste the area’s signature Dukes of Topsail oysters, and much more!

This award-winning festival has boomed into one of Topsail Island’s top festivals. It went from the Rising Star Award awarded to North Carolina’s best up-and-coming festival to achieving the Event of the Year award in 2023 by the North Carolina Association Festival and Events. What can we expect from Ocean Fest this year?

Surf City Ocean Fest is approaching, and guests staying in our Topsail Island vacation homes will have the perfect event to add to their travel plans during their stay.

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming event.

Surf City Ocean Fest 2024 Event Schedule

Every year, attendees can expect something new at Surf City Ocean Fest. In just a handful of events, it’s already cycled through various events that bring new excitement to the festival. In prior years, Ocean Fest featured a beer garden and a 5K marathon race. Stay updated with the official event schedule to see what events are happening this year.

Here’s what’s on the schedule for Surf City Ocean Fest 2024:

Oysterpalooza

Oysters are one of the celebrated delicacies found in the salty waters off the coast of North Carolina. Taste the region’s native oyster and enjoy the festival kickoff with day one festivities.

Dukes of Topsail is a locally grown oyster. They’re fun to eat because they’re easy to shuck, and the hint of salty flavor is a tasty bonus. Find local fishermen vendors selling their latest catch and see who has the best Dukes of Topsail on the island.

Let the delicious oysters settle in your belly while enjoying other activities during Oysterpalooza in the Vendor Zone. Browse local vendors like Salty Turtle Beer Co. to sample local craft brew. Meet the artists at art booths showcasing their ocean-inspired artworks.

Benefit Music Festival

Surf City’s biggest music concert happens on day two of Ocean Fest. Soundside Park hosts the main stage for the Benefit Music Festival. It’s a chance to see many of the best artists from the region performing on stage all on the same day. Each year, the music lineup changes to give the music spotlight to the talented artists and bands from the area.

Surf City Ocean Fest 2024 music lineup is stacked with must-see entertainers. Some of the artists to expect at the show are Blue Footed Boobies, Of Good Nature, Will Overman, The Midatlantic, Oceanic, Tyler Mckaig, Justin Cody Fox, The Fontanelles, and Beth Manning.

Vintage Surf Contest

Relive the golden era of surfing in the Vintage Surf Contest. This isn’t your typical surfing competition to see who can ride the biggest waves. This unique contest is all about retro style.

Surfers are outfitted with curated vintage mid-length surfboards from the 60s and 70s eras. Ride the waves alongside Surf City Ocean Pier and show off your retro flair for the crowds watching from Surf City Beach.

The contest is open to all participants, even visitors! Register in advance for the Vintage Surf Contest here.

Ocean Fest Beach Cleanup

Ocean conservation awareness is the primary goal of Ocean Fest. To support their cause, the event will host a beach cleanup on day two. It’s up to us to keep our oceans clean. Everyone is welcome to participate in doing their part.

Volunteers are invited down to Beach Access #19 on Saturday morning. All you need is your enthusiasm—bags and buckets are provided for you! Walk the scenic shoreline, enjoying the morning vista of the ocean. Pick up any bottles, paper, cans, and other waste. Together, we can achieve spotless beaches on Topsail Island to continue bringing tourists to this coastal destination.

Sign up for the Surfrider cleanup here.

Eco Exhibitors Supporting Ocean Preservation

Pair fun and entertainment with education by learning about the festival’s mission of ocean conservation. Eco-exhibitors have booths set up around the festival grounds to promote messages of ocean support.

Each vendor is selected to raise awareness of critical conservation areas in the coastal North Carolina area. Past eco-exhibitors have included the UNCW Plastic Ocean Project for plastic pollution awareness and Save our Sea NC to prevent coastal oil drilling. Stop by each tent and learn about the various local nonprofits, pick up literature, and find out how you can get involved with protecting Topsail Island’s coasts.

Another way to support the festival’s ocean conservancy mission is by participating in the raffle. This year, it presents two one-of-a-kind commemorative surfboards, which attendees can purchase raffle tickets and win! It’s the ultimate souvenir for your vacation to Topsail Island.

Get Tickets for Surf City Ocean Fest 2024

Tickets are required to attend Ocean Fest. Tickets are available for each day of the festival, and you must present a valid ticket for the same day to get into Soundside Park.

While making your travel plans to Topsail Island, purchase your tickets in advance to Ocean Fest before they sell out. Surf City Ocean Fest ticket prices start at $25.00 for a one-day entry. Tickets allow entry to all the events happening on the specified day. Browse the event schedule to determine the best day to attend Ocean Fest or grab tickets for both days to enjoy everything it has planned this year!

Where to Stay for Ocean Fest

Are you excited to attend Surf City Ocean Fest? We’ll be happy to host you and your family in our Topsail Island vacation rentals. Find accommodations minutes away from Soundside Park so you won’t miss any of the exciting festival events!