Fans of Latin music were left stunned this week after organizers announced the sudden cancellation of the 2026 La Onda Festival in Napa, California. The two-day event, scheduled for May 30–31 at the Napa Valley Expo, was set to feature a star-studded lineup including J Balvin, Maná, and Christian Nodal.
Cancellation Announcement
On February 23, festival producers released a statement confirming the event would not take place. “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 statement read. No specific reason was given for the cancellation, leaving fans and industry insiders speculating about what led to the abrupt decision.
A Growing Festival Cut Short
La Onda was launched in 2024 by the team behind BottleRock Festival and quickly became a major showcase for Latin music. Its inaugural edition featured Alejandro Fernández, Junior H, Farruko, Maná, Fuerza Regida, and Café Tacuba. In 2025, the lineup included Banda MS, Pepe Aguilar, Marco Antonio Solís, Carin León, Grupo Firme, and Ángela Aguilar.
This year’s lineup promised another powerhouse roster, with 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 also slated to perform.
Past Challenges
La Onda has faced challenges before. In 2025, Grupo Firme had to cancel their performance due to visa issues, with members stuck in “administrative process” at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. Still, the festival had managed to build momentum and attract major acts, making this year’s cancellation particularly surprising.
Looking Ahead
Organizers emphasized their hope that La Onda will return in the future. Fans who purchased tickets will receive full refunds, but disappointment remains high among those who had anticipated another vibrant celebration of Latin music in Napa Valley. For now, the cancellation leaves a gap in the festival calendar and raises questions about the sustainability of large-scale Latin music events in the U.S.
