Events
Ocean Institute General Admission
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Ocean Institute
Ocean Institute staff and volunteers stand ready to guide visitors through a wide range of experiences, from our horn shark touch tank, intertidal touch tanks, and much more.
Doheny State Beach Whale Walk
Saturday & Sunday
Doheny State Beach
This stunning, life-size display features paintings of the majestic whales that migrate past our shores, offering visitors a unique opportunity to walk alongside these ocean giants. The Whale Walk stretches along the asphalt promenade, nestled between the park’s green lawn and the sandy shoreline, extending from the lifeguard headquarters tower to the Dana Point Harbor breakwater.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center – Booth & Interactive Whale Exhibit
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Island Way
Festival of Whales attendees are in for a whale-sized surprise this year with the arrival of Winston the Whale, a 56-foot-long, anatomically correct inflatable whale. This life-sized exhibit offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the fascinating world of marine mammals up close.
Whale of a Kids’ Art Contest
Submissions Due March 2
The magical migration of the California Gray Whale is the theme for this art contest. To enter take a photo of your creative drawing or painting and email recreation@danapoint.org by March 3, 2025. Please include the child’s name and age on the entry. The winning submission will receive an ocean-themed gift basket and a whale-watching trip for a family of four. Open to children up to 12 years of age.
Whales & Wine: Naturalist Nona Reimer at Frisby Cellars
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Frisby Cellars
Join marine mammal expert Nona Reimer for an engaging talk at Frisby Cellars exploring whales and other cetaceans, blending marine science, storytelling, and wine culture with seasonal insights on California gray whales migrating along our coast.
Harbor Music Series
10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Don Hansen Courtyard/Dana Wharf
Experience live music at the Festival of Whales, presented by Dana Point Harbor Partners, with performances in the Dana Wharf Courtyard showcasing a variety of musical styles all weekend.
Festival of Whales Carnival
5:00 – 9:00 PM
Lantern Bay Park
Enjoy classic carnival fun with rides, games, and food for all ages at the Festival of Whales Carnival, plus live music and a beer garden hosted by the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group throughout the weekend.
Welcoming of the Whales
4:30 – 7:00 PM
Ocean Institute
Experience a sunset Welcoming of the Whales ceremony with the Acjachemen Nation and a Dana Point Surf Club paddle out, followed by a festive reception at the Ocean Institute featuring food, beverages, live music, and interactive ocean-themed activities.
Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Blue Lantern
Join the Dana Point Historical Society’s annual historic town center Walking Tour and explore local landmarks, early home exteriors from S.H. Woodruff’s 1920s planned community, and scenic bluff-top harbor views while learning stories from Dana Point’s early history.
Festival of Whales Carnival
12:00 – 9:00 PM
Lantern Bay Park
Enjoy classic carnival fun with rides, games, and food for all ages at the Festival of Whales Carnival, plus live music and a beer garden hosted by the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group throughout the weekend.