PLEASE NOTE: This 2021 Events Schedule is still in the works. Please check back often for new additions to the lineup.
Select a date below to jump to that day’s event schedule:
Click here to view our corresponding map for event locations, as well as shuttle stops, routes and parking options.
*PURPLE numbers next to each listing below coincide with map locations
SATURDAY, MARCH 6
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The annual Sand Sculpting Competition at Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor is a day of fun, sun and creativity for families, friends and sand sculpting enthusiasts. Contestants may choose to make sand creations including whales, ocean creatures, pirates and ships, surfing and tropical island themed creations. The sculpting begins at 8 a.m. and judging will start at 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the first through third place contestant finalists. Walk-up entries will be accepted the day of the event on a first come, first served basis. Pre-registration is not required. Contestants please check in at the Festival of Whales merchandise and info booth on the grass at Baby Beach.
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Dana Wharf and The Wyland Foundation have entered into a partnership to offer the most unique and creative experience on the water. Learn from one of the masters of marine art by joining us for a dockside presentation and art lesson aboard the “Ocean Adventure” Catamaran, via video feed, by renowned environmental artist, Wyland! Guests will learn how Wyland has created some of the most well known marine wildlife paintings and sculptures of our era. Children can enter their art in an end-of-season contest for the most accurate portrayal of marine mammals to be judged by Wyland. The winning child will receive a framed limited edition signed and numbered giclee on paper of “Celebrate The Sun” – Grand Prize Valued at over $3,000. Other prizes will be awarded!
The price of the art lesson is $5 per child, with all proceeds going to the Wyland Foundation. The mission of Wyland’s foundation is to give both children and adults alike, the tools they need to become more creative, positive and solution-oriented through art. Whale watching excursions are available at an additional cost, and the children who participate are given a free Whale Watching trip to be used on the same day as the art lesson at any time with a reservation and with a paid $45 adult ticket, trips will be departing Dana Wharf every hour on the hour during the Festival of Whales. To purchase tickets, visit www.danawharf.com.
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This special lecture series is perfect for those who want a one-on-one educational experience, marine biologists and guests present recent findings on local whales, dolphins and other marine mammals.
Speaker/topic line up TBD.
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Runners will be notified via email of drive-thru packet pickup date and time.
The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce is proud to present our inaugural Festival of Whales Splash Dash virtual run.
To participate in Splash Dash:
- Register online for the 5K, 10K or Kids’ Fun Run
- Custom shirts and medals can be picked up at the drive-thru packet pickup at the Dana Point Harbor (date/time TBD), or mailed to your home.
- Pick your route and run, walk or bike your course.
Proceeds from Splash Dash benefit the nonprofit Dana Point Chamber of Commerce and the nonprofit Dana Point Festival of Whales Foundation.
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Event specifics:
Event specifics TBD.
Tickets:
Ticket prices TBD.
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From classic woodie cars, American muscle cars and Corvettes, to British classics and hotrods, the Festival’s annual car club participants will display the best in automobile history.
More information to follow.
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The Southern California Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society will display a variety of vessels in the East Marina Parking Lot adjacent to the walkway between Dana Wharf and Harpoon Henry’s on Golden Lantern. ACBS is the largest society in the world dedicated to the preservation, restoration and enjoyment of historic, antique and classic boats, as well as providing education about the vessels’ heritage.
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Local artists display and sell a variety of works 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.
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Weather permitting. If cancelled, no make-up date will be arranged. However, the next scheduled art show will be Mother’s Day Weekend on the Boardwalk.
Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale – The Dana Point Fine Arts Association, a nonprofit organization, will host an art show and sale from 10 M to 5 PM. 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. For more info on this exhibit visit their website http://danapointfinearts.org.
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Presented by the Dana Point Festival of Whales Foundation in the Dana Wharf Courtyard, Mariner’s Village plaza area in front of Harpoon Henry’s and El Torito, and along the Harbor Walkway in front of Coffee Importers from 12 Noon – 3 PM. Enjoy a variety of musical styles and sounds.
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Meet the guide online for the Dana Point Historical Society’s annual historic town center Walking Tour. See and hear the stories of historic landmarks, S. H. Woodruff’s 1920s planned community and Bluff Top harbor views, c. 1818 to 1939, that represent the area’s early history. A free Walking Tour brochure of Dana Point is included.
More information to follow shortly.
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Join Captain Dave Anderson for an informative presentation about whale entanglement and rescue. Entanglement in fishing gear is a problem that claims the lives of nearly 1,000 dolphins and whales every day worldwide.
You’ll learn about disentanglements that Captain Dave and other trained volunteers were hands-on involved with. You will discover more about what is being done to help whales, including the latest updates about innovative new technology, and also what you can to do to make a difference. Throughout the presentation, you’ll enjoy amazing whale rescue footage and drone video, and have the opportunity to look at and touch the special equipment used to help entangled whales.
Captain Dave organized Orange County’s first whale disentanglement group in 2008. As part of a network of NOAA trained disentanglement teams, he has been hands-on involved with multiple disentanglement efforts in coordination with NOAA. Captain Dave is also a marine naturalist, award-winning wildlife filmmaker and author, conservationist, and whale watching captain.
Captain Dave has been able to raise awareness of whale entanglement through many of the television shows he has been featured on such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, CBS This Morning, National Geographic, Today Show and many others, and through his book and his videos which have reached over 25 million views on YouTube.
More information to follow shortly.
SUNDAY, MARCH 7
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This special lecture series is perfect for those who want a one-on-one educational experience, marine biologists and guests present recent findings on local whales, dolphins and other marine mammals.
Speaker/topic line up TBD.
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Weather permitting. If cancelled, no make-up date will be arranged. However, the next scheduled art show will be Mother’s Day Weekend on the Boardwalk.
Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale – The Dana Point Fine Arts Association, a nonprofit organization, will host an art show and sale from 10 M to 5 PM. 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. For more info on this exhibit visit their website http://danapointfinearts.org.
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From classic woodie cars, American muscle cars and Corvettes, to British classics and hotrods, the Festival’s annual car club participants will display the best in automobile history.
More information to follow.
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Dana Wharf Sportfishing invites all children to come to their dockside fishing clinic and learn hands-on techniques on fishing from the experts. Prizes will be raffled off at the end of the clinic. After the clinic Dana Wharf will be running a fishing trip from 12:45 – 5:15 pm, adults are $46 plus license and equipment, children 12 and under fish for FREE. An extra bonus is the chance of spotting whales, dolphins and other marine life! This trip includes equipment! More information and reservations call Dana Wharf 949-496-5794.
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Presented by the Dana Point Festival of Whales Foundation in the Dana Wharf Courtyard, Harpoon Henry Grassy Area near Mariner’s Village and at Art in the Park near Island Way from 12 Noon – 3 PM. Enjoy a variety of musical styles and sounds.
WHALE WATCHING (EVERY DAY OF THE EVENT)
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Click here for more information.
Use promo code Fow20 save $10 off all tickets excludes special 8am and 4pm trips. For reservations call 888-224-0603 or check out our schedule and purchase online.
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Click here for more information.
Reservations, schedule, and information:949-488-2828 or visit www.dolphinsafari.com
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Click here for more information.
For more information or reservations, please visit www.ocean-institute.org or call 949- 496-2274.
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The incredible 5000-mile migration of the majestic California Gray Whale from Alaska to Mexico begins in December and continues through March. During this peak season, 40 – 50 whales pass by Dana Point each day, using the Dana Point Headland’s 200-foot cliffs near the harbor as a landmark to check their migration path. Dana Point offers the BEST whale watching along the California Coast – don’t miss it! There’s a whale watching excursion for everyone. If you’re interested in getting a glimpse of these majestic leviathans from land, be sure to visit the Headlands Conservation Park. The Park includes a public trail system, over three miles in length, and links all the parks and open space areas of the Headlands. The system includes pedestrian trails, coastal and beach access, scenic overlooks and the Nature Interpretive Center. The parks and trails can be reached either off of Green Lantern or at Dana Strand Rd., limited parking is available along these streets or at the Nature Interpretive Center parking lot. The trails are open from 7 AM to sunset daily. The Nature Interpretive Center is located adjacent to the Headlands Conservation Park, at the terminus of Street of the Green Lantern. Center Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM. From Dana Point Harbor visitors may take the FREE shuttle to the Ocean Institute and then proceed up Cove Road to the Park. It’s a good work out for those looking for a little adventure and some spectacular views!