Darker Waves Festival has officially announced its 2026 return, marking a comeback for the one-day event set to take place on 14th November, 2026 at Huntington City Beach in California. After a successful debut in 2023, the festival re-emerges with a renewed focus on new wave, punk and alternative nostalgia.

Leading the lineup are Morrissey and Smashing Pumpkins, bringing two of alternative music’s most iconic names to the beachfront stage. The announcement signals a strong return for the festival, blending legendary acts with a carefully curated selection of artists spanning multiple generations of the scene.

The wider bill features a stacked mix of punk and new wave pioneers including Bad Religion, Soft Cell, The Damned, Gary Numan, Buzzcocks and Circle Jerks. Alongside these established names, emerging acts such as Purest Form add a contemporary edge, reinforcing the festival’s balance between nostalgia and new talent.

Presale tickets go live on 2nd April at 10am PST, with general sale following shortly after. With multiple ticket tiers available and demand expected to be high, Darker Waves Festival 2026 is shaping up to be a standout return for fans of alternative, punk and new wave music.