Don’t get me wrong, I love a summer country music festival as much as the next person.
After all, the concept is a no-brainer. Country music just hits different on a steamy hot summer day with a cold drink in your hand and an unstoppable carefree attitude that makes you forget every responsibility— until Monday morning rolls around, of course.
And while I’ll forever be a lover of when festival season kicks off as soon as the weather starts to warm up, there’s one time of year that infinitely transcends the game when it comes to enjoying live music: fall. If you’ve yet to experience a music festival in late September or early October, then boy, are you in for a treat.
Combine the gorgeous ease of mid-70-degree weather with crisp evenings that are perfect for the headlining sets, then add a stunning oceanfront backdrop, and you’ve got yourself Country Calling Festival. The Ocean City, Maryland, two-day event is the perfect short weekend getaway, giving you one more excuse to soak up the beach post-Labor Day.
Taking place on October 2-3, some of country music’s staples like Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, and Dierks Bentley will take the stage at night, right on the sandy shoreline connected to OCMD’s iconic boardwalk. Not to mention, throughout the day, there will be performances from Russell Dickerson, Wyatt Flores, Brothers Osborne, Charley Crockett, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Dustin Lynch.
A few classic throwback faces will also take the stage, including “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive,” singer Travis Tritt, Clay Walker, Rodney Atkins, and some newcomers, including Kaitlin Butts, Carter Faith, Tyler Nance, and more. Celebrating its third year in 2026, over 25 artists will play across three stages (two directly on the beach and one bordering the boardwalk), with concertgoers able to freely roam the festival grounds while also exploring a portion of the 2.5-mile-long boardwalk.
Beyond the music, dividing the two main stages is the centrally located “Jolly Roger At The Pier” section, full of amusement rides and games, not to mention every classic beach snack you could think of, from Thrasher’s Fries to Kohr Bros Frozen Custard. Luckily, this is one festival where you won’t be fighting for your life for a blanket of shade and having to wipe the sweat dripping from your forehead 24/7, but if you do need somewhere to escape mid-show, there are plenty of bars, restaurants, shops, and more to pop into.
Both two-day and one-day general admission tickets are currently available, along with the option to take your getaway to the next level with GA+, platinum, and ultimate tickets. The varying packages offer exclusive front-stage (and yes, even on-stage) viewing, access to deluxe lounges/bars, golf cart transportation, and air-conditioned bathrooms. Oh, and if you’re traveling with a big group, go the extra mile and book a private bungalow lounge with wifi, snacks, and complimentary drinks… which basically includes the whole nine yards.
This sister event to OCMD’s Ocean Calling (taking place the weekend prior) has continued to be a whopping success amongst East Coast country music fans, and given the event’s increasingly high demand, do yourself a favor and book your trip now to give yourself something to look forward to after summer is over.
