The highly anticipated 2026 edition of the La Onda Festival, set to dazzle audiences in Napa, California, has been abruptly canceled. Organizers announced the cancellation on Monday, February 23, providing no immediate explanation for the sudden turn of events. This decision comes just weeks after the festival had proudly unveiled a star-studded lineup, featuring prominent acts such as Maná, J Balvin, and Christian Nodal.

Scheduled as a two-day musical extravaganza from May 30 to May 31, the event was slated to take place at the picturesque Napa Valley Expo. Ticket holders who purchased through Front Gate Tickets have been assured a full refund, which is expected to be processed within 30 days. In an official statement addressing the cancellation, the organizers conveyed their sentiments: “Unfortunately, the 2026 Festival La Onda will not be taking place. All ticket buyers who purchased through Front Gate Tickets will receive a full refund in as little as 30 days. We remain hopeful that a future Festival La Onda will be possible. Until then, we are proud of what we created together and deeply grateful to the fans who supported La Onda.” The producers further expressed their optimism, stating that they “remain hopeful” for a future return of Festival La Onda, emphasizing their “incredibly proud of what was built and grateful for the community that supported it.”

The La Onda Festival is a venture from the seasoned team behind the renowned BottleRock Festival, and in its two years of existence, it had already established a reputation for attracting an impressive roster of musical talent. The 2025 edition showcased acts like Banda MS, Pepe Aguilar, Marco Antonio Solís, Carín León, Grupo Firme, and Ángela Aguilar. Its inaugural 2024 run featured major names such as Alejandro Fernández, Junior H, Farruko, Maná, Fuerza Regida, and Café Tacvba, setting a high standard for Latin music festivals.

The now-canceled 2026 lineup promised an equally vibrant experience, with a diverse array of artists including Danny Ocean, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Paulo Londra, La Arrolladora, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Grupo Niche, Molotov, Hermanos Espinoza, Orishas, and Chiquis, among others. While no reason was publicly given for the 2026 cancellation, it's worth noting that a previous anomaly occurred last year when regional Mexican band Grupo Firme had to withdraw from their planned performance at La Onda due to visa complications, with their documents reportedly stuck in an “administrative process” at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. This past issue, however, appears unrelated to the current wholesale cancellation of the festival. Despite the present setback and the unexplained nature of the cancellation, organizers hold onto the hope that Festival La Onda will eventually make a comeback, reinforcing their appreciation for the supportive community it garnered.