Morrissey, Smashing Pumpkins to Headline 2026 Darker Waves Festival

The new wave, goth, punk, and alternative rock festival returns to Huntington Beach, California this November.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:03pm

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Morrissey and Smashing Pumpkins are set to headline the upcoming Darker Waves Festival, scheduled to take place on November 14th in Huntington Beach, California. The festival will feature over 35 artists across three stages, including performances from Simple Minds, Bad Religion, Adam Ant, The Psychedelic Furs, Soft Cell, The Damned, Manic Street Preachers, Gary Numan, Silversun Pickups, Buzzcocks, EMF, Circle Jerks, Spacehog, and Marky Ramone.

Why it matters

The Darker Waves Festival has become a highly anticipated annual event for fans of new wave, goth, punk, and alternative rock music. The lineup of legendary and influential artists is sure to draw large crowds to the Huntington Beach venue, providing a boost to the local economy and entertainment scene.

The details

Tickets for the Darker Waves Festival will go on presale starting on Thursday, April 2nd at 10am PT, with any remaining tickets available to the general public following the presale. Fans can sign up for the festival's SMS list at DarkerWavesFest.com to receive a passcode for the presale.

  • The Darker Waves Festival is scheduled to take place on November 14, 2026.
  • Ticket presale begins on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 10am PT.

The players

Darker Waves Festival

An annual new wave, goth, punk, and alternative rock music festival held in Huntington Beach, California.

Morrissey

An English singer-songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the influential alternative rock band The Smiths.

Smashing Pumpkins

An American alternative rock band formed in Chicago in the late 1980s, known for their distinctive sound and influential albums.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to be headlining the Darker Waves Festival this year. It's always such an amazing event for fans of this genre, and we can't wait to take the stage in Huntington Beach.”

— Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins Frontman

“The Darker Waves Festival has become a must-attend event for anyone who loves this kind of music. The lineup this year is incredible, and I'm honored to be a part of it.”

— Morrissey

What’s next

Fans can sign up for the Darker Waves Festival SMS list at DarkerWavesFest.com to receive a passcode for the ticket presale, which begins on Thursday, April 2nd at 10am PT. Any remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public following the presale.

The takeaway

The Darker Waves Festival has become a must-attend event for fans of new wave, goth, punk, and alternative rock music, with a lineup of legendary and influential artists that is sure to draw large crowds to Huntington Beach. The festival's continued success highlights the enduring popularity of these genres and the demand for live music experiences that celebrate the alternative culture.