What ADA and Accessibility accommodations are available at Darker Waves?

Our Commitment

We are committed to making the Festival experience accessible and enjoyable for all guests. The information below is intended to help you plan ahead and understand the accessibility services available onsite.

If you have questions before then or would like to discuss your individual accessibility needs, our Accessibility Team is happy to help. Please contact us at access@darkerwavesfest.com. 

Click a short-cut or scroll to each topic below:

Do I need a special ADA ticket?

Guests who need accessibility accommodations will not need to purchase a separate ADA ticket. 

Getting There: ADA Parking and Entry

Public Transportation

All OCTA fixed-route OC buses are ADA-compliant with ramps or lifts, securement areas for mobility devices, and priority seating. For more information about accessible transportation options, visit octa.net. 

Accessible Parking

Parking is not available on the Festival grounds.

The following nearby parking facilities offer accessible parking:

  • City Beach Parking
  • Huntington State Beach Parking Lots
  • Main Promenade Parking Structure (Downtown HB)

Accessible Drop-Off, Rideshare & Shuttles

The Festival may offer accessible drop-off, rideshare, or shuttle services depending on venue location.

Please see the Festival Transportation Guide for details.

Accessible Festival Entrances

Accessible entry lanes are available at Festival entrances for guests who may need accommodations.

Look for signage displaying the International Symbol of Access or ask a staff member for assistance locating the accessible entrance.

Accessibility Center (Access Center)

The Access Center is your primary resource for accessibility services during the Festival.

Location:

As you enter through the main entrance, you'll find The Access Center on the right-hand side, just past the lockers, next to the Guest Services Tent. Check out the festival map for reference here.

The Access Center is staffed during Festival operating hours and guests may return at any time throughout the event if their accessibility needs change.

Services available at the Access Center include:

  • Accessibility information and assistance
  • Accessibility wristband requests
  • Accessible viewing area information
  • Deaf Services & ASL (American Sign Language) information and registration
  • Hard of Hearing Services & Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs)
  • Blind & Low Vision Services - Large-print and Braille materials (when available)
  • Charging access for powered mobility devices
  • Answers to any additional accessibility-related questions

If you are unsure where to begin, any Festival staff member can direct you to the Access Center.

Accessibility Wristbands

How Do I Get an Accessibility Wristband?

Guests who require accessibility accommodations should visit the Access Center upon arrival. No medical documentation is required. Guests may self-identify their accessibility needs with Access Center staff.Accessibility wristbands are provided at no cost and are valid for the entire Festival weekend.

Please do not remove your wristband during the Festival. If it becomes damaged or is removed, visit the Access Center for a replacement.

Can I bring an ADA companion?

Yes.

Each guest requiring accessible viewing accommodations may receive one (1) companion wristband when credentialed to the following areas: 

  • ASL Viewing Pit
  • Accessible Viewing Platforms 

Please note:

  • All companions must have a valid Festival ticket.
  • Companion wristbands do not provide Festival admission.
  • One companion wristband is issued per eligible guest.
  • If you need to change companions during the Festival, bring the original companion wristband to the Access Center for exchange.

Guests requiring accommodations beyond the standard companion policy should contact the Festival Accessibility Team in advance.

Accessible Viewing Areas

All Festival tickets are General Admission unless otherwise specified. A separate accessible ticket is not required.

Guests requiring mobility accommodations or ASL accommodations may request an accessibility wristband at the Access Center.

This wristband allows access to designated accessible viewing areas.

Important Viewing Area Information

Please note:

  • All guests must have a valid Festival ticket.
  • Accessible viewing areas are first-come, first-served.
  • An accessibility wristband does not guarantee seating or immediate access.
  • Viewing areas may reach capacity during popular performances.
  • Once a viewing area reaches safe operating capacity, additional guests cannot be admitted until space becomes available.
  • Seats cannot be reserved or held.
  • One companion may accompany each wristbanded guest.

Accessible viewing locations are identified on the Festival map and onsite signage.

Maps are available:

  • In the Festival app
  • Through the Festival Help Center
  • At the Access Center

Premium Ticket Areas

Guests wishing to access accessible seating located within premium ticketed areas must possess the corresponding premium ticket type.

Examples may include:

  • VIP
  • Ultimate VIP
  • Reserved Seating Areas
  • Premium Viewing Platforms
  • Other Upgraded Experiences

Both the guest and companion must have the applicable ticket type for access to these areas.

Wheelchair Accessibility & Mobility Devices

The Festival is wheelchair accessible; however, guests should be aware that the event takes place across a large outdoor site with great distances between activities and attractions. It is outdoors and across city streets and pathways. Some travel is over natural terrain and terrain designed for motor vehicles. If it should rain, there could be mud. 

Guests should plan accordingly based on their personal mobility needs.

Mobility Devices

The following are permitted for guests with mobility disabilities:

  • Manual wheelchairs
  • Power wheelchairs
  • Three-wheeled mobility scooters
  • Four-wheeled mobility scooters

For safety reasons, requests to use other power-driven mobility devices will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please send an email to access@darkerwavesfest.com to make the request. 

Charging Mobility Devices

Power wheelchair and mobility device charging is available at the Access Center. Guests must bring all necessary chargers, cords, and accessories. Charging outlets utilize standard 110-volt, 20-amp circuits.

Services Not Provided

Please plan accordingly. The Festival does not provide:

  • Wheelchair rentals
  • Scooter rentals
  • Personal care attendants
  • Push assistance
  • Golf Cart transportation
  • Personal escort services
  • Device chargers or charging cables

Accessible Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are available throughout the Festival grounds.

Additional accessible restrooms may also be available near designated accessible viewing platforms.

If restroom access within an ADA viewing platform is restricted, an accessibility wristband may be required for entry.

Guests who require an accessibility wristband may obtain one at the Access Center.

American Sign Language (ASL) Services

The Festival offers American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for select performances.

Requesting ASL Interpretation

Guests requesting interpretation for specific performances should submit an Effective Communication Request Form.

Requests should be submitted no later than October 15th, 2026

While every effort will be made to accommodate requests, interpretation availability cannot be guaranteed for requests received after the deadline. 

A schedule of interpreted performances will be posted on the schedule page closer to the date of the festival.

ASL (American Sign Language) Viewing Areas

Guests utilizing ASL (American Sign Language) services should visit the Access Center upon arrival to receive an ASL wristband.

How do I obtain an ASL wristband?

Upon arriving at the Access Center, please let a member of the accessibility team know that you are requesting ASL accommodations. An ASL team member will assist you with a registration process to sign up for your requested accommodation. This registration process requires the use of American Sign Language.

Once the process is completed, you may be issued an ASL wristband, which allows access to designated ASL viewing areas during interpreted performances.

ASL wristbands are valid for the entire Festival weekend. Please do not remove your wristband during the event. If your wristband becomes damaged or is removed, visit the Access Center for assistance.

ASL Viewing Areas

ASL (American Sign Language) viewing areas:

  • Are available only during performances scheduled to have ASL interpretation
  • Operate on a first-come, first-served basis
  • May reach capacity during popular performances
  • Allow one companion per guest with an ASL wristband

Please note:

  • This accommodation is designed only for those guests in need of American Sign Language as an accommodation. 
  • An ASL wristband does not guarantee access to a viewing area if the area has reached capacity.
  • ASL services are generally not provided between scheduled interpreted performances.
  • ASL viewing area is not open when there are no scheduled interpreted performances. 
  • Guests may bring their own interpreter for assistance throughout the Festival; however, interpreters must also possess a valid paid Festival ticket.
  • ASL viewing locations and interpreted performance schedules are available through the Festival app, Festival Help Center, and the Access Center.

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Accommodations

Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs) are available and may be requested at the Access Center.

Please note:

  • Receiver equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Availability may be limited.
  • Compatible personal devices may be used where applicable.

For advance accommodation requests, please complete the Effective Communication Request Form.

The Festival is a large outdoor event featuring professional concert sound systems and amplified music throughout the venue. Guests who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and do not use American Sign Language are welcome to move throughout the Festival grounds (within the access permitted by their ticket type) to find the location and audio experience that best meets their individual needs.

Many guests find that positioning themselves closer to a stage or speaker array provides their preferred listening experience. Due to the size and layout of the Festival, audio levels and sound quality may vary throughout the venue.

Medical, Dietary & Prescription Medicine Needs

Outside food and beverages are generally not permitted inside the festival.

However, guests with medically necessary dietary needs may bring approved food and beverages into the Festival.

For questions regarding medical dietary accommodations, contact: access@darkerwavesfest.com.

Medications & Medical Supplies

Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the Festival, but if a patron has special medical dietary restrictions, items will be allowed. Email access@darkerwavesfest.com for more information. 

Patrons are allowed to bring their medically necessary materials and medications into the Festival, provided that all medicine has a prescription label with the patron’s name. Our personnel at the entry gates will verify the contents of any medically necessary materials. 

Medical waste and sharps should be disposed of at the Medical Tent and never in standard trash receptacles.

Medical Tent locations are identified on the Festival map.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome. In accordance with ADA guidelines, service animals are limited to dogs and miniature horses individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. If accompanied by a service animal, you will be provided a Patron Notice of Responsibility for a Service Animal. 

Please note:

  • Service animals must remain under the handler's control at all times.
  • Emotional support animals, therapy animals, comfort animals, and pets are not permitted.
  • Guests with service animals should use accessible entry lanes when entering the Festival.

Information regarding service animal relief areas and additional assistance is available at the Access Center.

Festival Environment

Guests should be aware that the Festival environment may include:

  • Loud amplified music
  • Dense crowds
  • Flashing lights
  • Strobe lighting effects
  • Pyrotechnics
  • Smoke or haze effects
  • Extended sun exposure
  • Inclement weather conditions

Guests should plan accordingly based on their individual needs and comfort levels.

How can I ask an accessibility or ADA question or make a request?

For any questions, please email access@darkerwavesfest.com.

For effective communication (ASL), guided tours, assisted listening devices (ALD) requests, fill out this request form.

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