Laguna Beach Art Festivals Prepare to Launch for the Summer Season

Ashley Ryan
Jun 23
9 min read

The city’s three canyon festivals return with art, music, workshops and more.

*Visitors enjoy the annual Festival of Arts just outside the entrance. Photo courtesy of Festival of Arts*

Each summer, Laguna Canyon comes alive with vibrant art festivals. From artisanal pieces crafted right here in Orange County to artwork flown in from around the world, these creative celebrations are a delight for art enthusiasts, who can explore a variety of mediums at the Festival of Arts, Laguna Art-A-Fair and Sawdust Art Festival. In addition, visitors can explore interactive workshops, live music, an array of delectable cuisine and special events, including the one-of-a-kind Pageant of the Masters, making these festivals a one-stop destination for shopping, dining and entertainment this summer.

*The entrance to Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts. Photo courtesy of Festival of Arts*

Festival of Arts | Pageant of the Masters

Dating back to 1932, the Festival of Arts has long highlighted the arts in Laguna Beach and surrounding areas, but it’s the connection with the community that has kept the festival thriving for so long.

“In many ways, the festival is a celebration by the community and for the community – a summer tradition shaped by shared creativity, local pride and a commitment to the arts,” said Sharbie Higuchi, the festival’s public relations, marketing and merchandising director. “It’s what makes the event so special and enduring. All of the exhibiting artists either live or work in Orange County, making the festival a direct reflection of the region’s creative talent.”

PHOTO 1: Artist Jill Maytorena pictured with her artwork. PHOTO 2: Visitors admiring Linda Potichke’s jewelry designs with the artist. PHOTO 3: Paige Oden interacts with guests during the Festival of Arts juried show. Photos courtesy of Festival of Arts/Kyle Fierro

Many of the exhibiting artists return year after year, but there are always new faces to greet as well. “We’re thrilled to welcome 16 new exhibiting artists to the festival this summer, each bringing their own unique voice and creative style to the show,” Higuchi said.

A few notable additions for 2025 include Adriana Wrzesniewski, who creates and decorates intricately detailed eggs that celebrate her Ukrainian heritage with a wax-resist and dye technique, and photographer Gabriel Sullivan, whose images feature vintage cars and surfboards used to recreate nostalgic surf scenes popular in the 1950s and ’60s. Husband-and-wife duo Jonathan Boyd and Valerie Killeen from San Clemente will also make their FOA debut with a collection of artistic wooden vases.

Also new this year is the Battle of the Arts on July 20. “It’s unlike anything we’ve done before and really taps into the spirit of spontaneous creativity,” Higuchi said. Musicians will duel on piano while artists compete in a live paint-off on festival grounds. Music lovers will also enjoy two new series that will unfold this season. “Southern Nights: Country & Blues” will be on Friday evenings, and a mix of soul and R&B will comprise Soulful Sundays. In addition, FOA will merge Family Art Day with the Junior Art Celebration this year. Taking place July 13, the event will feature more than 400 pieces by youth along with interactive art projects and live music.

PHOTO 1: The Junior Art Exhibition. PHOTO 2: Family Art Day features interactive art projects for children and families. PHOTO 3: Adult art classes are available during the Festival of Arts. PHOTO 4: Youth can also try hands-on workshops to learn things like clay pottery at the Festival of Arts. PHOTO 5: Artist Echo Baker paints a portrait on-site during the event. PHOTO 6: Jazz singer Spencer Day performs on the festival grounds. Photos courtesy of Festival of Arts

Visitors can also enjoy a lineup of favorites, from the festival’s annual fashion show (Sunday, Aug. 18), benefit concert and Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate sessions (5:30 p.m. Thursdays) to hands-on classics spanning printmaking, ceramics and more.

Happening in tandem with the juried art show is the beloved Pageant of the Masters, a unique stage show that draws visitors from all over Southern California and beyond.

“There is nothing else like it in the world,” said Diane Challis Davy, director of Pageant of the Masters. “And it is so much more than a living picture show. The stories of the paintings and artists really draw the audience in. Richard Doyle is our expert narrator – the music, the storytelling, the theatrical artistry. It is a winning combination.”

PHOTO 1: A volunteer getting makeup backstage before Pageant of the Masters begins. PHOTO 2: Setting up a living picture depicting art lovers perusing paintings at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. PHOTO 3: Perfecting the scene before a pageant performance. PHOTO 4: Positioning one of the actors posing as a golden statue. PHOTO 5: A living picture showcasing “In the Woods at Giverny” by Claude Monet, on display at LACMA. PHOTO 6: A living picture depicting the beloved Marine Room Tavern in Laguna Beach, a painting by Bradford J. Salamon. Photos courtesy of Festival of Arts

This year’s pageant, titled “Gold Coast: Treasures of California,” pays homage to the Golden State in several different ways, featuring everything from iconic monuments to surf rock music. The show will follow a millennial woman named Whitney as she traverses the state’s many art museums, viewing masterpieces up close and in-person, according to Challis Davy. It’s this inclusion of museum art that will really drive this year’s production, highlighting pieces from the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, the de Young Museum in San Francisco and more. It all culminates with paintings and a mosaic from the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University in Orange before finishing with “The Last Supper,” always the pageant’s final scene.

“The Pageant’s theme … has never focused on museums and California landmarks before. You will leave the amphitheater (wanting) to visit an art museum this summer. Some are right in your backyard,” Challis Davy said. “Art museums are treasures that we all can enjoy and cherish.”

Festival of Arts | Pageant of the Masters

When: July 2–Aug. 29 (festival) from 4-11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday; closed July 4; closed at 1 p.m. Aug. 23; pageant runs July 5–Aug. 29 and starts at 8:30 p.m. nightly

Where: 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

Cost: $10-$15 for adults; $5 for children ages 6-12; $7-$11 for students and seniors

Contact: foapom.com

Laguna Art-A-Fair

As the only festival in town to accept artists outside of the region, Laguna Art-A-Fair has made a name for itself as a diverse and lively event.

“We are unique among the three Laguna Beach summer festivals in that we are the only one with artists from outside the local area,” said Jeff Nadler, LAAF business manager. “Our theme as ‘A Festival Without Borders’ has never been more true than this year, with new artists from as far away as Peru and China joining returning artists from South Africa as well as the states of Hawaii, Georgia and Utah.”

These new artists from Asia and South America will be just a few of the 37 new artists showing at the festival this year. “We’re excited by the diversity of artwork offered by these new exhibitors in a wide range of fine art mediums, including pencil and charcoal, woodworking, oil painting, watercolor, acrylic painting, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics and more,” Nadler said.

This summer, the festival is also launching the Laguna Art International Foundation, a nonprofit organization that will work alongside LAAF to provide support and mentorship for students at Orange County middle and high schools. This launch comes at the perfect time, accompanied by a booth that will display more than 150 pieces of student art from Laguna Beach High School, Thurston Middle School, Laguna Hills High School and more. A silent auction will help raise funds for the foundation with special Ice Cream Social events also supporting its efforts.

In an effort to support the local community, LAAF will host a Chamber Night to promote Laguna Beach-based businesses. Those who live in town also receive free admission to the festival all throughout the summer.

PHOTO 1: Paint pouring is one type of interactive workshop offered during Laguna Art-A-Fair. PHOTO 2: Community gathering to view artwork. PHOTO 3: A Breath of Fresh Art’s booth at a past Laguna Art-A-Fair festival. Photos courtesy of Laguna Art-A-Fair

Once again, free live entertainment will take place on Saturdays and Sundays, with some of the themed days including interactive experiences like country line dancing. Daily workshops are available as well, with four-hour sessions covering a range of topics, from jewelry-making and watercolor painting to pastels, paper collage, acrylic pouring and more.

“Not only do workshop participants receive a free season pass, this year they’ll enjoy a 10% discount for lunch at our on-site restaurant,” Nadler said. The venue’s Seven7Seven Restaurant offers a specially curated menu with fresh, healthy dishes and shareable snacks, plus a selection of wine and beer offerings and signature margaritas.

Most of all, Nadler would like to see visitors take home a souvenir to celebrate their time at LAAF. “We have wonderful art at all price points, so that everyone can leave with artwork they will enjoy,” he said.

Laguna Art-A-Fair

When: June 27–Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday; closed at 6 p.m. July 4 and Aug. 31

Where: 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

Cost: $10 for adults; free for children 12 and under; $8 for students and seniors; $15 for a season pass

Contact: art-a-fair.com

Sawdust Art Festival

While the other festivals in town feature juried shows, part of the magic of Sawdust Art Festival is its welcoming nature, open to any artist – as long as they live within town.

“All 185-plus artists participating in the summer Sawdust Art Festival are full-time Laguna Beach residents, which makes it a true reflection of the city’s artistic identity,” said Josh King, president of the Sawdust Art Festival board of directors. “The nearly six-decade history also is reflected in the generational legacy of artists – many of whom have participated for decades and who shape Laguna’s unique art festival scene.”

Nestled under a grove of eucalyptus trees with leaves swaying in the breeze, the Laguna Canyon festival grounds are especially picturesque, with waterfalls trickling nearby and springy wood chips under foot throughout the three-acre property.

“Visitors walking through do not just see the art but they feel it,” King said. “They have the opportunity to wander from artist to artist, talking with them one-on-one and immersing themselves in this vibrant creative environment while also being able to take home the unique artwork they’ve purchased.”

Celebrating 59 years this season, the festival once again invites visitors to explore their inner artist with daily expert-led workshops, enjoy fashion shows and dress-up days, watch live glass-blowing demonstrations and more each day. On Wednesday afternoons, learn about the exhibitors during the Sip, Walk & Talk Wine Tasting and Docent-Led Tour, then return on Aug. 10 for the festival's annual art auction. A special wall showcases donated pieces that can be bid on or purchased to support the Sawdust Artist Benevolence Fund, which supports Sawdust artists during times of extreme need.

PHOTO 1: Drawings and paintings by Michelle S. Burt on display at the Sawdust Art Festival. PHOTO 2: Glass sculptures on display. PHOTO 3: Sawdust Art Festival’s glass blowing demonstrations are available for viewing all summer long. PHOTO 4: The open-air Studio One, where visitors can try their hand at new art forms. PHOTO 5: Miniature paintings crafted by attendees during the festival. PHOTO 6: Artist Joan Gladstone pointing out a detail in her work. PHOTO 7: Enjoy interactive art experiences during Sawdust Art Festival. PHOTO 8: Art lovers perusing intricate pieces at the festival grounds. Photos courtesy of Sawdust Art Festival

Some of the new artists who will be a part of the Sawdust festival this year include mixed media artist and sculptor Linnea Brooks, glass artist Mary Murray, illustrator David "Mucci" Fassett, ceramicist Jennifer Kennedy and more.

Another delightful addition is The Cove by Starfish, a vibrant alcove for dining with a stage for live music. The flavors, aromas and bold offerings will highlight the best of Starfish Laguna Beach, an Asian fusion restaurant that remains a favorite among locals. Visitors can sample sushi, small plates, handcrafted bowls, bahn mi sandwiches and more. Stop by the Sand Bar at The Cove to grab cocktails as well, from the wild lychee martini, Laguna Lemondrop and Coco Mojo to sake-based drinks.

Between the varied local artwork, the ability to interact with the artists, the festive setting and the many food and entertainment options, Sawdust remains a special part of the local art scene.

“The fact is that California’s art scene grew out of the art colony that first settled in Laguna Beach long ago,” King said. “The Sawdust Art Festival has been a Laguna Beach tradition for nearly 60 years and was founded by the local art community as the only non-juried art show. It is foundational to the cultural identity of our town.”