Largest Tiki Event in the World Returns to San Diego Next Weekend

Next weekend, the largest tiki convention in the world returns to San Diego.

From Aug. 7-11, Thursday to Sunday, Tiki Oasis — a family-produced, four-day, Polynesian pop-lifestyle convention and party — will be hosted at the Town and Country Resort in Mission Valley.

The five night, four day event features live music, food and craft vendors, fashion shows and costume contests, a Miss Tiki Oasis contest, a car show, kids activities, art exhibits, and educational presentations on topics from cocktails and food, art, architecture, pop culture history, and tiki carving.

Founded in 2001 as a fundraiser to support the rehabilitation of the mid-century Palm Springs Caliente Tropics Motel, a motel known for attracting lovers of tiki culture, the event moved to San Diego in 2006, and has since grown to include two locations, three hotels, more than 28 symposiums, 100 vendors, and thousands of attendees yearly.

Tiki Oasis explores American history and pop culture while promoting, diversity and inclusion, which are reflected in the groups held at the convention, such as “Tiki Oasis’ Diversity & Inclusion Council,” the ‘LGBTiki Meet-Up,” and the “Melanated Tiki Meetup.”

This year’s theme is “Catch the New Wave”, a nod toward the history and cultural reach of surf music. Seminars and activities for this year’s theme include The History of Swimwear; The Marriage of Tiki and Surfing; The Evolution of Surfing Movie Music 1958-1972, and more.

Live music includes performances by Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas, Man or Astroman?, The New Les Baxter Orchestra, Tikiyaki Orchestra, and more, exploring Polyenisian, Hawaiian and African-American-inspired genres such as tiki music, surf music, exotica, jazz, and swing, each day from 5 p.m-10 p.m.. There will also be DJ sets and live poolside entertainment.

The event runs as early as 7:30 a.m. and as late as 2 a.m. each day. You can find more information, including where to buy tickets, at www.tikioasis.com.