Permanent sea lion sculpture overlooking the Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach Summer Festivals 2026

Tickets, Dates & Final Weeks

Updated August 11, 2026: There are only a few weeks left to experience Laguna Beach’s celebrated summer art festivals. The Festival of Arts closes September 3, the Pageant of the Masters ends September 4, and both the Sawdust Art Festival and Laguna Art-A-Fair run through September 6.

Whether you are looking for Festival of Arts tickets, deciding between the Sawdust Festival and Art-A-Fair, or planning an evening at the Pageant of the Masters, this independent guide covers the 2026 dates, hours, admission prices, locations, parking and free trolley options.

Laguna Beach summer festivals: quick answer

Four major Laguna Beach art experiences remain open in August 2026:

  • Festival of Arts: Through September 3
  • Pageant of the Masters: Through September 4
  • Sawdust Art Festival: Through September 6
  • Laguna Art-A-Fair: Through September 6
  • Best value: The $29 Passport to the Arts includes one visit to Festival of Arts, Sawdust and Art-A-Fair.
  • Best parking option: Park outside the busiest areas and use Laguna Beach’s free summer trolley.

Laguna Beach Summer Festivals 2026 at a Glance

Festival Final Date Adult Admission Best For Tickets
Festival of Arts September 3 $10 weekdays; $15 weekends Juried fine art and collecting Admission details
Pageant of the Masters September 4 Varies by date and seat Unique nighttime performance Buy Pageant tickets
Sawdust Art Festival September 6 $12.50 single day Local artists, demonstrations and families Buy Sawdust tickets
Laguna Art-A-Fair September 6 $10 single day Browsing, meeting artists and workshops Buy Art-A-Fair tickets

Ticket availability, prices and event details can change. Follow the official links before traveling.

How this guide was prepared

SolAguna is a Laguna Beach community organization. We reviewed the official 2026 festival ticket pages, published schedules and City of Laguna Beach parking and transportation information to prepare this independent visitor guide. Information was last verified on August 11, 2026. Ticket availability, participating artists, hours and transportation schedules may change, so official sources are linked throughout the article.

The Best Deal: $29 Passport to the Arts

If you want to visit all three daytime art festivals, the $29 Passport to the Arts is generally the best value. It includes one-time admission to:

  • Festival of Arts Fine Art Show
  • Sawdust Art Festival
  • Laguna Art-A-Fair
The Passport also includes one-time parking at the Act V parking lot and use of Laguna Beach’s free trolley service. According to the participating festivals, the Passport can be purchased on-site at any of the three festival box offices. Restrictions may apply.

Important: The Passport does not include admission to the Pageant of the Masters. Pageant tickets must be purchased separately.

Festival of Arts Fine Art Show

The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show is Laguna Beach’s prestigious juried outdoor art exhibition. More than 100 Orange County artists display paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, glass and other original work in an open-air setting.

This is the strongest choice for serious art buyers and visitors who want a polished gallery experience. Visitors can speak directly with exhibiting artists, attend scheduled demonstrations, enjoy live entertainment and dine inside the festival grounds.

Festival of Arts 2026 details

  • Dates: July 7–September 3, 2026
  • Monday–Friday: 4:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m.
  • Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
  • Weekday general admission: $10
  • Weekend general admission: $15
  • Students and seniors 65+: $7 weekdays; $11 weekends
  • Children ages 6–12: $5
  • Free: Children 5 and under, military members, Festival members and Laguna Beach residents with qualifying identification

Location: 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

A Festival of Arts ticket does not include the Pageant of the Masters. However, a Pageant ticket includes admission to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and unlimited Festival of Arts admission during the 2026 summer season, subject to the official ticket terms.

Pageant of the Masters: “The Greatest of All Time”

The Pageant of the Masters is Laguna Beach’s signature nighttime production. Volunteers, theatrical lighting, detailed sets and an orchestra recreate famous works of art with real people posed inside each scene.

The 2026 production is titled “The Greatest of All Time.” Performances take place nightly at 8:30 p.m. through September 4.

Pageant of the Masters 2026 details

  • Dates: July 9–September 4, 2026
  • Showtime: Nightly at 8:30 p.m.
  • Ticket prices: Vary by performance and seating section
  • Location: 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
  • Included: Pageant tickets include access to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show

Plan to arrive early. Summer traffic and parking can take longer than expected, and the Festival of Arts provides plenty to see before the performance. Dining, drinks and scheduled music are also available inside the grounds.

Local tip: Bring binoculars. The production’s details can be intricate, and binoculars make it easier to see how the performers are incorporated into each tableau.

Sawdust Art Festival

The Sawdust Art Festival has the most casual and distinctly Laguna Beach atmosphere of the three daytime festivals. Its eucalyptus-shaded grounds contain artist-built booths, live demonstrations, workshops, food, drinks and entertainment on multiple stages.

Sawdust exhibitors are Laguna Beach artists, making this a good choice for visitors seeking locally made jewelry, ceramics, glass, paintings, photography, textiles and other original work. It is also generally the most engaging option for families and visitors interested in watching artists work.

Sawdust Art Festival 2026 details

  • Dates: June 26–September 6, 2026
  • Sunday–Thursday: 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
  • Friday–Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
  • Adult single-day ticket: $12.50
  • Seniors 65+: $10.50
  • Youth ages 6–12: $5.50
  • Children under 5: Free
  • Location: 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

Pets are not permitted inside the Sawdust grounds. Properly qualified service animals must comply with applicable federal ADA requirements.

Laguna Art-A-Fair

Laguna Art-A-Fair features artists from Laguna Beach and beyond in a spacious, covered outdoor setting. Visitors can browse original work, speak with artists, enjoy live music and participate in scheduled art workshops.

Art-A-Fair is easy to navigate at a relaxed pace and is a good choice for visitors who want to meet artists or explore a broad selection of styles and media. It is located between the Festival of Arts and Sawdust, making it convenient to combine with either festival.

Laguna Art-A-Fair 2026 details

  • Dates: June 26–September 6, 2026
  • Monday–Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
  • September 6: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
  • General admission: $10 single-day pass
  • Location: 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

Which Laguna Beach Festival Should You Choose?

  • Choose Festival of Arts for a polished juried exhibition and serious art collecting.
  • Choose Pageant of the Masters for Laguna Beach’s most distinctive nighttime experience.
  • Choose Sawdust for a casual atmosphere, Laguna Beach artists, demonstrations and family-friendly activities.
  • Choose Art-A-Fair for relaxed browsing, workshops and artists from a wider geographic area.
  • Choose the $29 Passport to the Arts if you want to visit all three daytime festivals.

Can You Visit All Three Art Festivals in One Day?

Yes. All three daytime festivals are located along a short section of Laguna Canyon Road. A visitor can see each one in a single day, although art enthusiasts may prefer to spread the experience across two days.

A practical one-day itinerary:

  1. 10:00 a.m.: Begin at Laguna Art-A-Fair.
  2. 11:30 a.m.: Walk or take the trolley to Sawdust Art Festival.
  3. 2:30 p.m.: Stop for lunch or visit downtown Laguna Beach.
  4. 4:00 p.m. on a weekday: Enter the Festival of Arts when it opens.
  5. 8:30 p.m.: Attend the Pageant of the Masters with a separately purchased Pageant ticket.

Weekend visitors can enter the Festival of Arts beginning at 11:00 a.m., allowing more flexibility. Leave extra time for traffic, transportation, meals and browsing.

Laguna Beach Festival Parking and Free Trolleys

Parking near the festivals and downtown Laguna Beach can fill quickly, particularly on Friday evenings and weekends. Visitors can avoid circling downtown by parking at a peripheral lot and using Laguna Beach’s free trolley service.

Before leaving, read SolAguna’s local guide to the Laguna Beach summer trolley and Transit app. It explains the City’s updated transit-tracking system and how riders can check trolley locations and arrival information from their phones.

Free Summer Breeze Parking and Trolley

The City of Laguna Beach operates the Summer Breeze from a peripheral parking lot in Irvine. Parking and the trolley ride are free, and the route serves the Laguna Canyon art festivals and downtown Laguna Beach.

  • Parking location: 16355 Laguna Canyon Road, Irvine
  • Thursday: Parking begins at 10:00 a.m., with service operating into the evening
  • Friday–Sunday and Labor Day: Service continues into the late evening
  • Cost: Free parking and free trolley service
  • Destinations: Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters, Art-A-Fair, Sawdust and downtown Laguna Beach

Use the City’s official Summer Breeze page to confirm operating hours. For help tracking approaching trolleys, see SolAguna’s Laguna Beach Transit app and summer trolley guide.

Act V Parking Lot

The Act V lot is located farther up Laguna Canyon and contains approximately 250 spaces. It connects to the festivals and downtown by free trolley.

  • Address: 1900 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
  • Regular parking: Paid parking; posted rates and availability apply
  • Passport benefit: The Passport to the Arts includes one-time Act V parking, subject to its terms

Parking Close to the Festivals

Paid city parking is available along Laguna Canyon Road and elsewhere in Laguna Beach. The public Laguna Canyon Road lot at 725 Laguna Canyon Road is close to the festival grounds but can fill early.

Parking meters along Laguna Canyon Road and elsewhere in town are generally enforced daily. Rates vary by location. Review the City’s 2026 parking and transportation information before visiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the Laguna Beach summer festivals end in 2026?

The Festival of Arts ends September 3, the Pageant of the Masters ends September 4, and both the Sawdust Art Festival and Laguna Art-A-Fair end September 6, 2026.

Are Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters the same event?

No. The Festival of Arts is a juried fine art exhibition, while the Pageant of the Masters is a separately ticketed theatrical production held in the adjacent amphitheater. A Pageant ticket includes Festival of Arts admission.

Does the Passport to the Arts include Pageant tickets?

No. The Passport includes one-time admission to Festival of Arts, Sawdust and Art-A-Fair. Pageant of the Masters tickets must be purchased separately.

Can you walk between the Laguna Beach art festivals?

Yes. The three daytime festivals are positioned along Laguna Canyon Road within a relatively short distance of one another. Free trolleys also connect the festival area with parking lots and downtown Laguna Beach.

Should Pageant of the Masters tickets be purchased in advance?

Yes. The Pageant has assigned seating, and availability varies by date and seating section. Check the official ticket page before planning your visit.

Which Laguna Beach art festival is best for children?

Sawdust is generally the easiest choice for families because of its informal atmosphere, demonstrations and hands-on activities. Check the activity schedule and individual age requirements before visiting.

Is the Laguna Beach trolley free?

Yes. Laguna Beach’s summer trolley service is free. The Summer Breeze route also offers free peripheral parking at 16355 Laguna Canyon Road in Irvine before transporting visitors to the Laguna Canyon festivals and downtown Laguna Beach.

How can I track the Laguna Beach trolley?

Visitors can use Laguna Beach’s updated transit-tracking system to view trolley locations and arrival information. SolAguna’s Laguna Beach Transit app guide explains the system and provides links to the City’s transit resources.

Where should I park for the Laguna Beach art festivals?

On Summer Breeze operating days, the easiest option is often the free peripheral lot at 16355 Laguna Canyon Road in Irvine. Visitors can also use the paid Act V lot at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road or public parking closer to the festivals. Nearby lots can fill quickly, so arriving early is recommended.

Do Not Wait Until Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend is the final opportunity to visit Sawdust and Art-A-Fair, but it can also bring heavier traffic and larger crowds. The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters close before that weekend ends.

If you still want to experience Laguna Beach’s 2026 summer festival season, the next two to three weeks offer more flexibility and potentially better ticket availability than waiting until the final days.


Planning ahead for fall? Read our complete Taste of Laguna 2026 guide for ticket, restaurant, VIP, parking and entertainment information.

Official Sources and Additional Information

SolAguna is an independent Laguna Beach community organization and is not affiliated with the Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters, Sawdust Art Festival or Laguna Art-A-Fair. Dates, prices, hours and availability may change. Confirm details through each event’s official website before attending.

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