Tiki Oasis 2026
- SoCal Travel Blog

- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
If you love tiki culture, tropical cocktails, mid-century style, live music and a little bit of escapism, Tiki Oasis 2026 is ready to transport you to another world. Returning to San Diego August 5–9, 2026, Tiki Oasis once again takes over the Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley for five nights of Polynesian Pop culture, music, cocktails, shopping, seminars and plenty of opportunities to embrace the tiki lifestyle.
This year's theme, Psychedelic Tiki, promises to take the colorful world of tiki in an even more vibrant direction, blending tropical imagery with the sounds, fashion and visual style of the psychedelic 1960s.
And if you've never experienced Tiki Oasis before, 2026 looks like an excellent year to dive in.

What Is Tiki Oasis?
Tiki Oasis is one of the world's largest celebrations of tiki culture and Polynesian Pop, bringing together artists, makers, musicians, mixologists, collectors and fans for an immersive weekend in San Diego.
The event combines many of the things that make tiki culture so fascinating: tropical cocktails, music, vintage fashion, art, design, food, history and community.
The 2026 event features 40+ seminars, a 150+ vendor marketplace, live entertainment, tropical cocktails, poolside activities, late-night parties, art and lamp exhibitions, DJs and the annual Luau.
It is far more than simply a weekend of drinking tiki cocktails. There's an incredible amount to explore, making it possible to create a completely different Tiki Oasis experience depending on your interests.

Tiki Oasis 2026: Psychedelic Tiki
The theme for 2026 is Psychedelic Tiki, and the event's visual concept sounds like a kaleidoscopic trip through tropical pop culture.
Expect vibrant colors, psychedelic patterns, tropical flowers, pop-art influences and plenty of retro flair as Tiki Oasis combines the classic elements of Polynesian Pop with the far-out aesthetic of the 1960s. The theme also makes its way into the educational programming, with seminars exploring psychedelic fashion, music, historic locations and the people who helped shape the era. If you love mid-century design and vintage style, be sure to bring your camera because this year's theme should provide plenty of colorful photo opportunities.

Live Music at Tiki Oasis
Music is always a major part of the Tiki Oasis experience, and the 2026 lineup is packed with artists that fit perfectly into this year's psychedelic and retro-inspired theme.
The lineup includes:
5.6.7.8's
Dengue Fever
Strawberry Alarm Clock
Whatitdo Archive Group
The Woggles
Josie Cotton
The Pandoras
King Kukulele
The event's music programming blends psychedelic rock, exotica, garage rock, surf-inspired sounds and other genres that complement the tiki atmosphere.
One of the biggest musical highlights will be Strawberry Alarm Clock, the psychedelic rock group best known for "Incense and Peppermints."
The band is also celebrating the release of Where's One?, its first completely new studio album since 1969.
The Sunday night Shake! Shout! Shimmy! closing party will feature Strawberry Alarm Clock and The Pandoras, along with DJs, arcade games, record vendors, Go Go dancers and a no-host bar featuring tropical cocktails and Tiki Oasis-branded beer.

Learn Something New at 40+ Tiki Oasis Seminars
One of my favorite things about Tiki Oasis is that there is so much more to the event than shopping and cocktails.
The 2026 schedule includes more than 40 seminars, with topics covering tiki history, design, fashion, cocktails, photography, music and mid-century culture.
Some of the programming this year includes:
California Tiki — A Journey Through History
This seminar explores California's role in the birth and growth of the tiki movement, from its early roots in the 1940s through the expansion of Polynesian Pop in the 1960s and the modern tiki revival.
The Revival Revisited
Ryley Schade explores the first 20 years of the tiki revival, from the late 1980s through the early 2010s, using photographs, home movies, newspaper articles and interviews.
Far Out & Fab: Psychedelic 60s Fashions
This seminar dives into the fashion of the psychedelic '60s, from Pop Art-inspired looks to colorful and eye-catching combinations.
Beyond the Lime: Tropical Cocktails & the Power of Acid
Cocktail lovers can learn about the science behind acidity and how different techniques can add balance, brightness and complexity to tropical drinks. The session includes cocktail samples and is for guests 21 and older.
There's also programming covering topics like underwater photography, Don Blanding, nautical tiki, psychedelic music and more.
Tip: Many seminars require separate tickets, and some sell out, so look over the schedule before arriving.
The Tiki Oasis Marketplace
Bring your shopping list — and perhaps a little extra room in your suitcase.
The Tiki Oasis Marketplace is one of the biggest attractions of the weekend, with 150+ vendors selling tiki mugs, art, clothing, jewelry, home décor, collectibles and other handmade and vintage-inspired treasures.
The marketplace features artists, makers and collectors from around the country, and many vendors create limited-edition pieces specifically for Tiki Oasis.
The marketplace is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while Friday's preview is available to ticket holders. Whether you're looking for a new mug for your home bar, a tropical outfit, original artwork or a unique souvenir from San Diego, this is definitely an area you'll want to spend some time exploring.

Tropical Cocktails Take Center Stage
Of course, no Tiki Oasis experience would be complete without cocktails.
The event brings together mixologists and spirit brands for tastings, seminars, cocktail competitions and plenty of opportunities to explore the world of tropical drinks.
One of the highlights is the Tiki Oasis Bartenders Battle, where San Diego bartenders compete head-to-head to create innovative tiki cocktails. The 2026 battle is co-sponsored by Crossfire Hurricane Rum and Reàl Infused Exotics and is a 21+ event.
The Tropical Tasting sessions also give attendees the opportunity to interact with representatives from classic and newer spirit brands while sampling tropical cocktails. The sessions are 21+ and include spirit samples and a collectible tasting glass.
If cocktails are your thing, I'd recommend looking through the seminar and tasting schedule before arriving because these are some of the experiences that can fill up quickly.
The Tiki Oasis Luau
Tiki Oasis kicks off on Wednesday with its annual Luau at the historic Catamaran Resort Hotel.
The 2026 Luau includes live music, an open buffet and a live performance by Pride of Polynesia. Guests can choose between Kahuna VIP and general Ohana seating options.
The Luau is a separate event from the main Thursday-Sunday Tiki Oasis experience, making it a great way to start your tiki adventure.
Tiki Oasis at Town & Country Resort
After the Luau, the main event moves to Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley, where the festival takes over the property from Thursday through Sunday.
The resort itself becomes part of the experience, with poolside DJs, daytime activities, tropical cocktails, live entertainment and the colorful atmosphere that Tiki Oasis is known for. The resort has also undergone a major renovation, adding a new pool deck, zero-entry pool, hot tub, Tiki Tot pool, four-story Twister waterslide, new dining outlets and a three-acre riverfront park.
For those staying at the resort, it's worth remembering that Tiki Oasis is a private event. Guests staying at Town & Country must have event tickets to remain on the property during the event's restricted hours.

Don't Forget the Art & Lamp Shows
Art is another major component of Tiki Oasis.
The 2026 event features the 17th Annual Art Show and 5th Annual Lamp Show, bringing together artwork and lighting inspired by tiki, mid-century modern design and Polynesian Pop.
This is another great place to find something unique for your home tiki bar — or simply admire the creativity of the artists and makers participating in the event.
Why Tiki Oasis Belongs on Your San Diego Event Calendar
There is something special about Tiki Oasis because it doesn't feel like a traditional convention or festival.
For a few days, San Diego becomes an escape filled with tropical cocktails, vintage fashion, live music, colorful art, tiki mugs, poolside parties and people who genuinely love the culture.
Whether you're a lifelong tiki enthusiast or simply curious about the world of Polynesian Pop, there's plenty to discover.
And for visitors to San Diego, it's another example of why the city has such a strong connection to tiki culture.
Planning Your Tiki Oasis 2026 Visit
Tiki Oasis 2026📅 August 5–9, 2026📍 Town & Country Resort500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA
The Wednesday Luau takes place separately at the Catamaran Resort Hotel, while the primary Tiki Oasis event runs Thursday through Sunday at Town & Country.
Before heading to the event, check the official schedule for the most current information on seminars, entertainment, marketplace hours and individual ticket requirements.
Final Thoughts
Tiki Oasis 2026 is shaping up to be another fantastic San Diego celebration of tiki culture — and this year's Psychedelic Tiki theme makes it particularly intriguing.
From tropical cocktails and the enormous marketplace to seminars, music, art, fashion and the annual Luau, there's enough happening to fill an entire weekend.
If you're heading to Tiki Oasis this year, don't be afraid to lean into the theme. Pack your favorite Hawaiian shirt, dress up in your best psychedelic-inspired look, grab a tiki mug and get ready to tiki out.
Follow along with SoCal Travel Blog to see what this year's Tiki Oasis has in store. Cheers to another colorful weekend in San Diego!
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