Sessions Surf Festival returns to Southern California September 12–19, transforming Encinitas and the surrounding coastline into a week-long celebration of surf culture through music, film, art, and community. Formerly known as the Solento Surf Festival, the reimagined event expands on its legacy with seven days of live music, surf films, art exhibitions, community gatherings, and unforgettable experiences inspired by life around the ocean.
Presented in partnership with Outerknown, Solento Organic Tequila, Firewire Surfboards, Sun Bum, Strive, and The Flow Trip, Sessions Surf Festival celebrates the creativity, storytelling, and community that surfing has inspired for generations.
Opening Day: Music Sessions at Seaside Reef
Saturday, September 12 – 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Seaside Reef: 2504 S. Coast Highway 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075
This year’s festival theme celebrates the music of surf films, past and present – the songs and artists that have provided the soundtrack to generations of surf films and the culture they helped shape.
Sessions Surf Festival kicks off with an unforgettable day of live music overlooking one of Southern California’s most iconic surf breaks. Headlined by Osees, the lineup also features Unwritten Law, Bully, Yoke Lore, MT Warning, Jack Shields and the Mojave Rush, and Emily Afton – artists whose music has appeared in, inspired, or captures the spirit of surf films across generations. Together, they’ll create a full day of music, food, drinks, and oceanfront celebration that sets the tone for the week ahead.
Tickets are on sale now through Belly Up’s TicketWeb ticketing platform here
Beach Day at Seaside Reef (Free Community Event)
Sunday, September 13
The celebration continues with Beach Day, a free event open to the public at Seaside Reef. The day features the Count Down Cup, a one-of-a-kind surf competition with multiple divisions designed for both competitors and spectators. After the final heat, the beach transforms into an evening gathering with live music, entertainment, food, and drinks overlooking the Pacific.
Film Sessions at La Paloma Theatre
September 17–19
La Paloma Theatre – 471 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
The historic La Paloma Theatre becomes the heart of the festival, hosting three days of surf film premieres, filmmaker conversations, panel discussions, live music, and special events curated by filmmaker Taylor Steele.
From legendary classics to groundbreaking new releases, the film program celebrates the stories that have inspired generations of surfers and helped define surf culture around the world.
Art Sessions on Highway 101
September 14–19
Outerknown Pop-Up
Hansen Surfboards – 1105 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Fre e Community Event
For the first time, Sessions Surf Festival’s art programming expands into a week-long exhibition.The Outerknown Pop-Up will serve as a creative hub throughout the festival, showcasing work from ten artists while hosting live music, food, drinks, and community gatherings each day. Visitors are invited to experience the intersection of surf, art, photography, and coastal creativity in the heart of Encinitas.
“Sessions has always been about surfing, said Taylor Steele, founder of Sessions Surf Festival. “It’s about the surf films that inspire us, the music that becomes the soundtrack to our lives, the artists who capture our surf culture, and the community that surfing creates. Encinitas has always embodied that spirit, and we’re excited to continue building something that brings people together through creativity.”
For the full schedule, ticket information, and festival updates: SessionsSurfFestival.com
Tickets, the full schedule, and additional information: https://sessionssurffestival.com/encinitas
Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sessionssurffestival/
About Sessions Surf Festival
Sessions Surf Festival is a celebration of surfing and the creative culture it inspires. Through film, music, art, photography, community events, and shared experiences, the festival brings together surfers, filmmakers, musicians, artists, and ocean lovers from around the world. Founded by filmmaker Taylor Steele, the festival takes place annually in Southern California and Australia, celebrating surf culture on a global stage.
More Than a Surf Festival
Surf films have provided the soundtrack to countless surf trips, friendships, and lives. Sessions Surf Festival celebrates that legacy while creating new memories through world-class music, inspiring films, thought-provoking art, and authentic community experiences.
Whether you’re a lifelong surfer, film lover, music fan, artist, or simply someone drawn to the coast, Sessions Surf Festival offers a week unlike anything else on the California calendar.
