OC BikeFest 2026: Ocean City Rally Info

Sep 3, 2026

Ocean City trades its beach-town quiet for the sound of 100,000 motorcycles the second week of every September. That's OC BikeFest, the largest motorcycle rally on the East Coast, and in 2026 it runs as OC Rock & Ride from September 9 through 13 across the Ocean City Inlet and the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

The nights belong to national headliners like Saliva, Fuel, and Hinder. The days run free, from stunt shows and vendor villages to a boardwalk parade and a Friday-night 9/11 tribute over the water. Pick your days, sort your ride, and read on for the full lineup, ticket prices, and everything you'll want set before you go.

When is OC BikeFest 2026?

OC BikeFest 2026, officially OC Rock & Ride, runs Wednesday, September 9 through Saturday, September 13, 2026 in Ocean City, Maryland. Vendors at the Convention Center stay open through Sunday, September 14. Here's when each venue is open:

• Ocean City Inlet: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday. Live music starts daily at noon.
• Convention Center: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday, plus 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday.

Where is Ocean City Bikefest 2026 held?

OC BikeFest 2026 takes place at two spots in Ocean City, Maryland: the Ocean City Inlet and the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. You'll spend most of your time at the Inlet, and the Convention Center gives you a second round of vendors a few miles up Coastal Highway.

The Inlet sits at the southern tip of the boardwalk, Atlantic on one side and bay on the other. Both venues are on the same island, so you can ride between them in a few minutes.

OC BikeFest 2026 Schedule and Concert Lineup

OC Rock & Ride runs two stages, with free local acts on the daytime stage and national headliners on the main stage at night behind a concert pass. Gavin Hades opens each day with the National Anthem before the music starts. Here's the full lineup:

Wednesday, September 9 (Free Admission)

Jasmine Cain, Little Ozzy, Billy Fisher and the DIRT, Sketchbook, Rock the Mic Finals, and Margo Macero. Wednesday is free all day and night, which makes it the easiest day to come see the rally without paying for admission.

Thursday, September 10

Saliva, Saving Abel, and Crack the Sky headline, with Six Whiskey Revival, The Dunehounds, and Faith Noel rounding out the day.

Friday, September 11

Crossfade and Fuel take the main stage, alongside Cecilia's Fall, Wavy Gravy, and Lime Green. Friday night also holds the 9/11 tribute, fireworks, and drone show over the skyline after sunset, one of the most moving nights of the week.

Saturday, September 12

Hinder and Trapt headline, with Saint Gabriel, Voodoo Tribe, and Johnny Cardo also on the bill. Saturday is the busiest day of the rally, with the boardwalk parade at 10:00 AM and the bikini contest at 4:00 PM at the Royal Plus stage.

Want full details on each event? Check out the official event page HERE. 

Is OC BikeFest free?

OC BikeFest is free to attend except for the national headliner concerts Thursday through Saturday, which need a $99 pass. Every daytime event is open to everyone at no charge: the free bands on the Royal Plus stage, the vendor villages, the motorcycle stunt shows, and the custom bike displays. Wednesday goes further with free general admission all day and into the evening, opening concerts included. If you're here for the bikes, the vendors, and the crowd, you can put together a full week around the free events and skip the concert pass.

OC BikeFest 2026 Tickets Info

The $99 concert pass covers all three ticketed headliner nights, Thursday through Saturday, at the Inlet main stage. It's sold through the official OC Rock & Ride ticket page on Tixr, and buying direct means you pay the event's own price instead of a resale markup. Popular headliner nights can sell out, so book the pass ahead of rally week.

What Else is Happening at OC BikeFest 2026?

Four daytime events pull the biggest crowds outside the concerts: the boardwalk parade, the vendor villages, the bike shows, and the stunt shows. Here's what each one involves and when to catch it.

Boardwalk Motorcycle Parade

The boardwalk parade is the signature ride of the week. On Saturday, September 12 at 10:00 AM, 400 riders cruise the Ocean City boardwalk from 27th Street down to the Inlet, where the vendors are already open. Here's what to know if you want to ride in it:

• Lineup: Starts at 9:00 AM at 27th Street, in the eastern lane of North Baltimore Avenue
• Cost: $20 cash, paid at lineup
• Cap: First 400 riders only, first come first served
• Speed: It's a low-speed parade with crowds along the boards, so keep it slow and leave room around you

Vendor Villages

Two vendor areas run all week, one on the water at the Inlet and one indoors at the Convention Center. Between them you'll find gear, parts, accessories, apparel, and custom builders. The Convention Center is a good midday stop when you want out of the sun.

Bike Shows and Contests

Want to put your build in front of the crowd? The Baker Act Customs contests take in-person registration on Friday, September 11, and the first-ever OC Rock & Ride Bike Contest runs Saturday, September 12. Both happen at the Baker Act Customs booth at the Inlet, and you register your own bike on site to compete for prizes.

Stunt Shows and the 9/11 Tribute

Free motorcycle stunt shows run throughout the day at the Inlet. On Friday night, the rally holds its 9/11 tribute followed by a fireworks and drone show over the water. No concert ticket needed, and it's the night most riders remember.

Parking a Trailer at OC BikeFest

If you're hauling your bike in, Ocean City has three trailer parking options during the rally, and they fill up fast:

• Jolly Roger Amusement Park rear lot (enter from 32nd Street): $100, cash or check. Valid Monday, September 7 through noon Monday, September 14. Permit pickup runs September 7 through 11 at the lot.
• Town of Ocean City street permit: $50, cash or check. Valid September 9 through 13, and it lets you park in any legal city street space except Baltimore Avenue. Pick it up at the Convention Center South Lot info booth.
• Ocean City lots and private property: The town sets availability and rules for municipal lots, and they change year to year. Plenty of hotels and rentals allow trailer parking if you ask ahead, so check with your property first.

See the full permit details and download the forms HERE.

Where to Stay for OC BikeFest 2026

Ocean City books up fast for rally week, and the closer a place sits to the Inlet, the sooner it's gone. You've got a few ways to go:

• Boardwalk and Inlet-area hotels: Walking distance to the main stage, highest price, first to sell out.
• Coastal Highway hotels near the Convention Center: Lower price, still a short ride from everything.
• Vacation rentals and condos: Best for groups who want a kitchen and space to park bikes.
• Campgrounds and RV parks outside town: Suited to riders bringing bigger setups.

This year’s event partners with local hotel groups through OCMD Hotels and OC Rooms if you need a starting point for your search. 

Rent a Motorcycle in Ocean City for OC BikeFest 2026

Riders Share connects you with local owners in Ocean City renting their motorcycles by the day, so you can fly or drive in light and pick up your ride when you land.

You can choose from more than 10 bike types, including Harley-Davidson cruisers, Honda touring bikes, and BMW adventure models. With 286,000+ completed rides on the platform, owners often deliver to your hotel or the Inlet, and most listings include a helmet and gear so you don't have to pack your own. Start your search for a motorcycle rental in OCMD today!

Coming From Out of Town? Browse Motorcycle Rentals Near You

If you'd rather make the trip to the coast part of the ride, pick up a bike in your own city and take it out to Ocean City yourself. Riders Share has local owners in 2,000+ cities nationwide, including the biggest Mid-Atlantic markets near the rally:

• Motorcycle rentals in Baltimore, MD
• Motorcycle rentals in Washington, DC
• Motorcycle rentals in Philadelphia, PA

Get Ready for OC BikeFest 2026!

September 9 is almost here, and OC Rock & Ride only gets bigger each year. Five days of bikes, bands, and beach sit between you and the largest rally on the East Coast, and the riders who show up ready are the ones who sorted the details early. Get your plans set now, and all that's left is the ride into Ocean City.