Sessions Surf Festival: A Week of Surf Culture, Music, and Film on the North County Coast

Overview

Surf culture is the heartbeat of North County, and the Sessions Surf Festival turns it into a full week of celebration. Formerly the Solento Surf Festival, Sessions returns to the Encinitas and Solana Beach coastline from September 12 through 19, 2026, weaving together music, film, art, and community into one immersive tribute to Southern California's surf scene.

It's really three experiences in one: a beachfront music day headlined by rock favorites, a free community surf contest and beach day at Seaside Reef, and a week of surf film premieres and conversations at the historic La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas. Whether you want to catch a band with your toes in the sand, watch local surfers compete for free, or dig into surf cinema, there's a way in for everyone.

What You Actually Need to Know

• Event: Sessions Surf Festival 2026 (formerly the Solento Surf Festival)
• When: Roughly September 12–19, 2026 (a week of events) [CONFIRM full schedule]
• Where: The Encinitas/Solana Beach coast — Seaside Reef (2504 S. Coast Hwy 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075) and the La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas
• Ages: All ages
• Cost: Varies by event — the music day is ticketed; the community beach day is free
• Info & tickets: sandiego.org or the festival's official site

The Festival's Three Parts

1. The Music Session — Saturday, September 12 (ticketed)

The festival kicks off with a full-day beachfront concert at Seaside Reef, from noon to 10 p.m., headlined by the Osees, with Unwritten Law, Bully, Yoke Lore, Mt Warning, Jack Shields & The Mojave Rush, and Emily Afton. Presented with the Belly Up, it's an all-ages, toes-in-the-sand music day with food and drinks, bars, band and festival merch, vendor stalls, partner activations, and art installations. VIP upgrades add perks like a sauna and cold plunge plus VIP viewing and deck access. Tickets run roughly $85 and up by tier. [CONFIRM current pricing]

2. The Beach Day & Surf Contest — Sunday, September 13 (free)

The next day is for the community: a free, open-to-everyone Beach Day at Seaside Reef with a surf contest featuring multiple categories for surfers and spectators alike, plus live music and entertainment at the beach bar and stage into the evening. It's the heart of the festival's community spirit — and a great free day at the beach.

3. Surf Film & Art — Through the Week at La Paloma

Throughout the week, the historic La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas hosts surf film premieres, filmmaker conversations, and panel discussions, rounding out the festival with the art-and-storytelling side of surf culture. [CONFIRM film schedule and tickets]

Good to Know

• It's all ages — a genuinely family-friendly festival, especially the free beach day
• Buy music-day tickets ahead — the Sept 12 concert is ticketed and tiered, so lock in early for the best price
• The Sunday beach day is free — no ticket needed to watch the surf contest and enjoy the beach
• Plan for coastal parking — Seaside Reef and the 101 corridor get busy; arrive early or consider rideshare
• Dress for the beach — sunscreen, a hat, water, and a layer for the evening ocean breeze
• Check the full schedule — with a week of events across two towns, the festival site is the place to map out which sessions you want to catch

However you ride it, Sessions Surf Festival is North County surf culture at its fullest — music, film, community, and the coast. For more happening around the county, browse our full event calendar, or explore more of Encinitas.