Summer in Orange County tends to announce itself early at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. By Memorial Day Weekend, the calm waters of the Back Bay fill with paddleboards and kayaks, families spread across the sand, and live music drifts through the marina as the sun drops behind the bay.
From May 22–25, Newport Dunes officially kicks off the season with four days of waterfront concerts, outdoor movies, food trucks, late sunsets, and one of the largest inflatable aquatic playgrounds in Southern California.Â
The holiday weekend transforms the waterfront resort into a full-scale summer gathering space, where visitors can spend the day climbing floating obstacle courses, cruising the bay in Duffy boats, or settling into beach chairs for live music directly on the sand.
Floating Obstacle Courses and Water Activities Return to the Back Bay
At the center of the weekend is the Inflatable Aquatic Park, a sprawling floating playground built across Newport Dunes’ calm, waveless bay. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the attraction combines slides, climbing walls, obstacle elements, and splash zones designed for guests ages five and older.Â
Beyond the inflatable park, visitors can rent paddleboards, kayaks, pedal boats, and classic electric Duffy boats to explore the Back Bay at a slower pace. The marina and surrounding waterfront paths stay active throughout the day, creating the kind of laid-back coastal energy that defines holiday weekends in Newport Beach.
Tunes at the Dunes Brings Live Music to the Waterfront
As afternoon shifts into evening, the resort’s Tunes at the Dunes concert series becomes the centerpiece of the celebration. The Horseshoe Event Venue transforms into an open-air beach concert setting each night from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with guests gathering on the sand while food trucks and bars line the waterfront.Â
This year’s Memorial Day Weekend lineup includes:
- Friday, May 22:Â Redneck Rodeo brings country hits and dance-floor energy to the waterfront
- Saturday, May 23:Â Upstream delivers reggae and Caribbean rhythms with a relaxed island feel
- Sunday, May 24:Â ShowBiz Guys close the weekend with classic rock favorites and crowd singalongs
Food trucks operate daily from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., while full bars stay open from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., giving the concerts a casual festival atmosphere beside the bay.
After sunset, the energy slows as Movies on the Beach returns with family-friendly screenings shown directly on the sand Friday and Saturday nights at dusk. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and low-back chairs for a more relaxed close to the evening.
Throughout the weekend, Moe B’s Munchies serves pizzas, sandwiches, cocktails, and grab-and-go beach food, while Monday’s holiday menu adds breakfast offerings and morning drinks before the long weekend wraps up.
For more information and to book accommodations, visit:
newportdunes.com
Location: 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach
Dates: May 22–25, 2026
Tunes at the Dunes: 5-8 p.m. nightly
Inflatable Aquatic Park: 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. daily
Movies on the Beach: Friday & Saturday at dusk
Photo credits: Photo courtesy of Newport Dune
