Dana Point Festival of Whales & Parade

March 1-3, 2024

Dana Wharf
34675 Golden Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
festivalofwhales.com

Dana Point, Calif.--Whale watching season never really ends on the California coast, according to many tour guides and boat operators. But there's one special time of year when visitors get to explore the wonders of whales, the sea and all that Dana Point has to offer -- it's the Festival of Whales each year in March.

Saturday  (past schedule)

9 a.m. - Noon Whale of a Beach Cleanup (Doheny State Beach)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale (Harbor walkway near Mariners Village)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cardboard Classic Dinghy Dash & Expo (Baby Beach)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Kids' Fun Fair (East Marina Parking Lot)
10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild (Ocean Adventure Catamaran, Dana Wharf Dock)
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Marine Mammal Lecture Series (Harpoon Henry's)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ocean Institute Education Center (Ocean Institute)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. British Invasion (Harbor walkway)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Art in the Park (Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dana Hills High School Young Artists Show and Sale (Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive)
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 6th Annual Clam Chowder Cook Off (Baby Beach Park)
Noon - 2 p.m. Captain Dave's Under Sea Eco Carnival (Capt. Dave's Dolphin Deck near Baby Beach)
Noon - 3 p.m. Harbor Music Series (Dana Wharf, Mariners Village)
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Drone and Go Pro Demo (Dana Wharf Whale Watching)
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Capt. Dave's Presents 'Entangled Whales: What Can We Do?' (OC Sailing & Event Center)
6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Free Movie Screening: 'Finding Dory' (Dana Point Community Center)

Sunday

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale (Harbor Walkway near Mariners Village)
10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild (Ocean Adventure Catamaran, Dana Wharf Dock)
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Marine Mammal Lecture Series (Harpoon Henry's)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Kids' Fun Fair (East Marina Parking Lot)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ocean Institute Education Center (Ocean Institute)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. British Invasion (Harbor walkway)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sailing & Stand-up Paddling Clinic (Westwind Sailing, OC Sailing & Event Center)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Art in the Park (Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dana Hills High School Young Artists Show and Sale (Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive)
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Mobile Marine Mammal Museum (Doheny State Beach Visitor Center)
Noon - 3 p.m. Harbor Music Series (Dana Wharf, Mariners Village)
Noon - 5 p.m. Whale of a Concert on the Water (Baby Beach)
Noon - 5 p.m. Whale of a Concert BBQ and Spirits Garden (Baby Beach)
Noon - 12:30 p.m.; 12:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Kids Fishing Clinic and Trip (Dana Wharf Docks)
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Drone and Go Pro Demo (Dana Wharf Whale Watching)
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Whale Watching (Dana Wharf Whale Watching)
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Whale Watching (Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari)
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Whale Watching (Ocean Institute)
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Whale Watch from Land - bluff top viewing (Headlands Nature Interpretive Center)

Kids' Fun Fair

The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce hosts a fun zone for kids and families on the second weekend of the Festival in the East Marina Parking Lot adjacent to the walkway between Dana Wharf and Harpoon Henry's on Golden Lantern. Dozens of games and activities for children and families. Admission to this event is FREE but ticket purchases will be required for most attractions.

Arts & Culture

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Daily throughout festival, enjoy Art in the Park. Local artists display a variety of works, utilizing unique mediums on the grassy areas at the corner of Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive. The Dana Point Historical Society will provide free information on local history and display historic photos, books and gifts for purchase. The Festival's FREE shuttle has a stop in front of 'Herb' the topiary whale, adjacent to the display areas.

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale

Daily throughout event, weather permitting. The Dana Point Fine Arts Association, a nonprofit organization hosts an art show and sale from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.. The art will be on display at the Harbor Boardwalk along the boat docks in Mariner's Village on the east side of the Coffee Importers Espresso Bar and Harpoon Henry's restaurant. Watercolor, oil, acrylic, colored pencil, pastels and photography by many award-winning local artists will be available for purchase. Dana Point Fine Arts annually donates a portion of the proceeds from the show to Dana Hills High School Art Department. danapointfinearts.org

 Dana Hills High School Young Artists Show and Sale

High school art students will displaying a variety of artwork on the Harbor walkway just east of Island Way. Works will include paintings, photography, graphic design, ceramics and sculpture. Cookies created by the school's culinary arts classes will also be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit arts education at DHHS.

 Cardboard Classic Dinghy Dash & Expo
Westwind Sailing 2nd annual Cardboard Classic / Dinghy Dash includes a cardboard boat building contest and race (the Dinghy Dash), exhibition booths, food, event emcee - Jim Taylor, music and awards. Cost to enter the Dinghy Dash is $30 per team. All building materials are supplied and include: cardboard, duct tape, box cutter knife, sharpie pens. Up to five people may participate on any team to build a boat but only one person per team may race in any given race. Adult supervision is required for any team with members under 13 years old.

CLASSIC CAR DISPLAYS 
The Austin Healey Association of Southern California, along with the Jaguar Owners club of LA present the British Invasion. This is a must-see display of one-of-a-kind cars! FREE shuttle service available at Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive for easy access to the Harbor walkway area. Also joining the Austin Healeys and Jaguars will be other British cars, including Triumphs, Morgans and MGs.

DANA WHARF WHALE WATCHING AND MORE
(800) 979-3370 or (800) 590-9994 | www.danawharf.com
The Original 2-Hour Whale Watching Trip
Excursions depart every hour, on the hour, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Festival weekends and every trip is approx. 2 hours. Prices: Adults $45, Senior and Military $35, Children 3-12 years $29, Children 2 and under are always FREE. For reservations call 888-224-0603 or check out our schedule and purchase online
8 a.m. Trip Special call 888-224-0603
4 p.m. Sunset Whale Watch Trip

The 2 1/2 Hour Deluxe Catamaran Adventure - Join Dana Wharf on a special 2 1/2 hour Whale Watching adventure both weekends at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. For reservations call 888-224-0603 or check out our schedule and purchase online

 

Whale of a Clam Chowder Cook-Off
Baby Beach grassy area.
Sample a variety of tasty chowders from local restaurants and organizations and then vote for your favorite from at Tasting packets include taste sampling tickets, tasting cups and spoons $10, fishforlife.org

Whale of a Concert BBQ Noon to 5 p.m.
Baby Beach
Spirits Garden for those over 21 years old with a valid driver's license.

Free Movie
FREE Movie at the Community Center
Disney-Pixar's 'Finding Dory.' Presented indoors by the City of Dana Point Community Services and Parks Department. Location: Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo Street. Bring a low back lawn chair or blanket for floor seating. Bleacher seating will also be available. Bring your own picnic dinner or enjoy free popcorn and snacks! 949-248-3530.

Harbor Music Series 12 Noon - 3 p.m.
Presented by the Dana Point Harbor Association in the Dana Wharf Courtyard, Harpoon Henry Grassy Area near Mariner's Village and at Art in the Park near Island Way. danapointharbor.com

Concert on the Water Noon-5 p.m.

This event is weather permitting. If canceled, no make-up date will be arranged. - In honor of the whales migrating by Dana Point Headlands 'singing their song' the Festival of Whales festivities will include a FREE outdoor concert at Baby Beach with bands performing on the water atop a specially designed floating stage. The concert will feature 3 bands, with music starting at noon and going until 5 p.m.

OCEAN INSTITUTE WHALE WATCHING
Ocean Institute - Ocean Education Center 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - During the festival weekends, a hands-on journey into the mysterious and captivating world of whales will allow visitors to explore a variety of fascinating phenomena unique to these magnificent animals. Guests follow the migration of the gray whale as they move through the facility, starting in Baja, moving on to the California Coast, and ending up in Alaska.

Along the way there will be opportunities to investigate how whales communicate and eat, to see how changes to the marine environment affects them, and to learn about ongoing research.

Additional activities include hands-on dissections, animal feedings, driving a remotely operated vehicle, and touch tanks in which guests touch live sea stars and other tidepool animals. Guests may also explore the underwater world and participate in pop-up experiments in our Headlands and Beyond exhibit.
For more information or reservations, please go to www.ocean-institute.org or call (949) 496-2274.

Ocean Institute Parking information: The Ocean Institute offers free parking for our guests. During this busy festival weekend, there is a FREE trolley service that offers drop off at and pick up service near the Ocean Institute approximately every 15 minutes to multiple parking lots throughout the Harbor and Doheny State Beach.

Gray Whale Adventure Cruise
Join the R/V Sea Explorer crew on a whale watching cruise to view the whales and dolphins that make the coastal waters of Dana Point their home. Each cruise provides passengers with a one of kind experience in assisting our Marine Scientists with collecting samples from the ocean habitat. Our adventures also include hands on activities for the kids onboard! Weekend admission to the Institute is included with the cruise ticket purchase. Pricing: Adults:$45; Seniors 55 and up: $35; Active Duty Military: $35; Children (4-17): $25; toddlers (3 & under): free. Ocean Institute members receive at 10% discount. For more information or reservations, please visit ocean-institute.org or call 949- 496-2274.

RUBBER DUCKY DERBY
Whale of a Rubber Ducky Derby Hosted by the Dana Point Woman's Club, this fun spin on a traditional 'Rubber Ducky Race' will be held from 11a.m. - 2p.m. at Baby Beach. Duckies may be purchased in advance by contacting Joan Marie Kerr at 949-859-5706 or the day of the event at the DPWC station at Baby Beach. Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. $6 per Rubber Duck or 2 for $10. You do not need to be present to win. Funds raised through this event will be donated to the Dana Point Library's Children's Summer Reading Program.

Sailing & Paddling
Sailing Rides 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Take a sailing ride and learn how to steer and sail a Capri 14! Ages 5 and up. $15 per boat, three people maximum (half-hour session). Weather and conditions dependent. Lifejackets provided. Find our booth at the OC Sailing & Event Center. Contact Westwind Sailing for details: (949) 492-3035. All proceeds are donated to the Dana Point Aquatic Foundation for educational boating scholarships benefiting At-Risk Youth and Adaptive Boating programs.

Stand-Up Paddling Clinics - Join the SUP craze and learn first hand why it's the fastest growing water sport today! 45 min on the water clinics held each hour on the hour - weather and conditions dependent. Ages 12 and up, (12- to 14-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult) 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.. $10 per person. Lifejackets provided. Find our booth at the OC Sailing & Event Center. Contact Westwind Sailing for details: (949) 492-3035. All proceeds are donated to the Dana Point Aquatic Foundation for educational boating scholarships benefiting at-risk youth and adaptive boating programs.

Saturday

PARADE March 4 The Festival of Whales Parade 10 a.m. - The Festival of Whales Parade kicks off the two weekend celebration of the California Grey Whale migration. Route along Pacific Coast Highway beginning at Selva Road and ending at Golden Lantern in Dana Point, approximately 1 mile.

8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Whale of a Sand Sculpting Competition (Baby Beach)
10 a.m. Festival of Whales Parade (Pacific Coast Highway)
10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild (Ocean Adventure Catamaran, Dana Wharf Dock)
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Marine Mammal Lecture Series (Harpoon Henry's)
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Street Fair (La Plaza Park)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ocean Institute Education Center (Ocean Institute)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sailing & Stand-up Paddling Clinic (Westwind Sailing, OC Sailing & Event Center)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. So Cal Woodies (Harbor walkway)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Legendary Corvette (Harbor walkway)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Art in the Park (Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale (Harbor walkway near Mariners Village)
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Whale's Tale Tallship Sailing Adventure (Ocean Institute)
11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Whale of a Pizza Party (Baby Beach)
Noon - 3 p.m. Harbor Music Series (Mariners Village)
2 p.m. Walking Tour of Town Center (Blue Lantern Street/Pacific Coast Highway)
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Drone and Go Pro Demo (Dana Wharf Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour of Town Center danapointhistorical.org
March 4 Whale of a Sand Sculpting Competition 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Baby Beach
March 4, 5 Whale's Tale Tallship Sailing Adventure
March 4, 5 So Cal Woodies - socalwoodies.com
March 4 Eric Austin Yee - Biologist and Dana Wharf Whale Watching manager Talking about rare and unusual marine wildlife sightings we saw in 2016
March 4 Whale of a Pizza Party

Sunday

8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Whale of a Pancake Breakfast (Baby Beach Park)
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Whale Walk Painting (Doheny State Beach)
10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild (Ocean Adventure Catamaran - Dana Wharf Dock)
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Art & the Sea: Paint Class (Ocean Institute)
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Marine Mammal Lecture Series (Harpoon Henry's)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ocean Institute Education Center (Ocean Institute)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sailing & Stand-up Paddling Clinic (Westwind Sailing, OC Sailing & Event Center)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. So Cal Woodies (Harbor walkway)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Legendary Corvette (Harbor walkway)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Art in the Park (Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale (Harbor walkway near Mariners Village)
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ocean Awareness Day (Baby Beach Park)
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Whale's Tale Tallship Sailing Adventure (Ocean Institute)
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Whale of a Rubber Ducky Derby (Baby Beach)
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Diamond Dig (Baby Beach)
11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Whale of a BBQ (Baby Beach Park)
Noon - 12:30 p.m.; 12:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Kids Fishing Clinic and Trip (Dana Wharf Docks)
Noon - 3 p.m. Harbor Music Series (Dana Wharf, Mariners Village)
2 p.m. Walking Tour of Town Center (Blue Lantern Street/Pacific Coast Highway)
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Drone and Go Pro Demo (Dana Wharf Whale Watching)
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Movie Screening: 'Humpback Whales' (Ocean Institute)
Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour of Town Center danapointhistorical.org
March 5 Art & the Sea: Paint Class
March 5 Ocean Awareness Day
March 5 Whale of a BBQ - A hamburger and hotdog barbecue
March 5 Doheny State Beach Whale Walk Painting
March 5 Festival of Whales Movie Screening: 'Humpback Whales' a MacGillivray Freeman film
March 4, 5 Whale's Tale Tallship Sailing Adventure
March 4, 5 So Cal Woodies - socalwoodies.com
March 4 - Eric Austin Yee - Biologist and Dana Wharf Whale Watching manager Talking about rare and unusual marine wildlife sightings we saw in 2016
March 5 - Alisa Schulman-Janiger - California Orcas/Gray Whale Census from the California Killer Whale Project and the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Cetacean Society.
March 5 Diamond Dig 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Baby Beach
March 5 Whale of a Pancake Breakfast

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.