'Festival Of Whales' Returns To Dana Point: What To Know

DANA POINT, CA — The 53rd Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales is returning to the city this March, and residents were urged to save the date for the three-day celebration.

The festival commemorates the annual migration of California gray whales through Dana Point from March 1 to March 3.

“The Festival of Whales Foundation is excited to welcome visitors back to this beloved annual migration celebration in one of the best locations for year-round whale watching,” event coordinator Vickie McMurchie told Patch. “The Festival of Whales showcases the importance of environmentalism and art and features a weekend filled with whale watching and special events cherished by the Dana Point community.”

The weekend celebration kicks off with the Welcoming of the Whales Ceremony at the Ocean Institute on Friday, March 1. The ceremony starts at 4:45 p.m., with a reception to follow. Residents who join in on the reception will enjoy free non-alcoholic beverages and food-truck cuisine available for purchase.

The weekend events will begin with the Festival of Whales "Magical Migration" Parade on Saturday, March 2. The parade starts at 10 a.m. from the island, over the bridge and into the village of Dana Point Harbor.

"We are delighted to present exciting educational activities and memorable experiences to the public each year," Donna Kalez, owner of Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching and co-chair of the Festival of Whales Foundation, told Patch. "I'm thrilled for the community to see what the 53rd Annual Festival of Whales has in store."

According to Kalez, her father, Don Hansen, started the festival 53 years ago.

Following the parade, the remainder of the weekend is packed with interactive events including the whale walkway painting at Doheny State Beach, where members of the public will have the chance to assist with painting life-size whales on the walkways.

The festival will also include whale excursions, a Dinghy Dash, and a Little Pirates Treasure Hunt.

Residents can learn more about the Festival of Whales by visiting the foundation's website.