Short Strange
Trip
From Radical Origins: Episode 5
The Christmas Happening of 1970 was meant to be a cultural gathering full of music, spiritual awakening and holiday celebration.
From Radical Origins: Podcast 5
Listen to real stories about The Happening from those who were there with extended stories, bonus interviews, and more.
Listen to the Full PodcastWatch Short Strange Trip
"What actually happened is 20,000 people invaded Laguna Beach and we had a good time."
- Star Shields
An Unprecedented Gathering
On Christmas Day 1970, 20,000 visitors arrived in Laguna Canyon for a celebration of love, music, spiritual awakening and orange sunshine falling from the sky.
A Permanent Legacy
While OC law enforcement dispersed The Happening and buried what remained, the festival has retained its historical and social significance decades after the fact.
From
Radical
Origins
Even after three days, “The Christmas Happening” never quite reached its full potential. Despite the weather, the lack of marquis names and the road blocks - plenty of “Happening” attendees came away with their own unique perspective of how amazing, life-changing or disappointing of an event it was.
Discover More Stories
01
Reef
Madness
The world’s longest running surf contest and the feral surfers who started it all.
02
Trails
Unbound
The trailblazing story of Laguna’s extraordinary network of trails.
03
The Birth
Of Skim
The story of a true Laguna Original and its growth around the world.
04
Protect And
Conserve
When unchecked development collides with art and activism.
05
Short
Strange Trip
The short-lived Woodstock of the West Coast and its permanent legacy.
06
Innovation
At The Source
How a small town stirs up big inspiration for culture and innovation.
07
Long Live
The Rejects
The indomitable and authentic soul of a creative culture.
01
Reef
Madness
The world’s longest running surf contest and the feral surfers who started it all.
02
Trails
Unbound
The trailblazing story of Laguna’s extraordinary network of trails.
03
The Birth
Of Skim
The story of a true Laguna Original and its growth around the world.
04
Protect And
Conserve
When unchecked development collides with art and activism.
05
Short
Strange Trip
The short-lived Woodstock of the West Coast and its permanent legacy.
06
Innovation
At The Source
How a small town stirs up big inspiration for culture and innovation.
07
Long Live
The Rejects
The indomitable and authentic soul of a creative culture.
01
Reef
Madness
The world’s longest running surf contest and the feral surfers who started it all.
02
Trails
Unbound
The trailblazing story of Laguna’s extraordinary network of trails.
03
The Birth
Of Skim
The story of a true Laguna Original and its growth around the world.
04
Protect And
Conserve
When unchecked development collides with art and activism.
05
Short
Strange Trip
The short-lived Woodstock of the West Coast and its permanent legacy.
06
Innovation
At The Source
How a small town stirs up big inspiration for culture and innovation.
07
Long Live
The Rejects
The indomitable and authentic soul of a creative culture.
Presented By Visit
Laguna Beach
Visit Laguna Beach is more than just a warm welcome. We’re curators of Laguna’s culture and storytellers revealing how it became an extraordinary destination in the first place.
Visit Laguna Beach
