Orange County Real Estate and Events Information.

The Festival of Whales is returning again this year, making it the 49th anniversary of this family fun event. The Festival celebrates the return of the migratory gray whale to our coastal waters. Spring brings many other types of marine life to our waters, making it the perfect time to see nature’s splendor on the sea. The Festival takes place during the first two weekends in March every year, and here's a highlight of the most famous events that are fun for the whole family.

• When: March 7-8th and 14-15th
• Where: several locations in Dana Point - mostly the Harbor

Our First weekend favorites activities include:

• Annual Parade:

The Parade kicks off the two-weekend celebration of the California Grey Whale migration. The parade embraces the Festival’s theme of Magical Migration with parade floats and entries decorating in an ocean/whale theme and costumes. Giant helium parade balloons of a Blue Whale, Orca, and many other sea life creatures fill the air overhead during the parade. The parade promptly begins at 10 AM with a new route beginning at the island side of Island Way and then proceeding over the Island Way bridge, then right on Dana Point Harbor Drive and ending at Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive. Come early and enjoy breakfast in the harbor.

• Street Fair:

From 10 AM to 4 PM –Pet Project Foundation is proud to present our inaugural Whales, Tails and Ales Street Fair at Dana Point Harbor in the parking lot at Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern. Craft beer, local artisan vendors, food, live music, kids activities and a dog costume contest are part of the fun!

• Sand Sculpting Competition

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.

Other activities: Socal woodies exhibition, boats exhibition,Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center, pizza party, ocean awareness lectures, live music and more!

For more information visit the official site:

https://festivalofwhales.com/dana-point-festival-of-whales-event-listing/