Summer is officially on! With the grand opening of the Pageant of the Masters last night (Fri, July 7), all FOUR of the internationally famous Laguna Beach Art Festivals are open and rockin’.
Here’s an easy, all-in-one reference for schedule, times and tickets for each of our Laguna Beach Art Festivals. I’ve also created a quick downloadable PDF: 2017 Laguna Beach Art Festivals – Schedules, Times & Tickets as well. If you’re interested in attending more than one of these art festivals, be sure to read the info at the bottom of this post on the Passport to the Arts.
Easiest Way to Visit our Laguna Beach Art Festivals: Take the Trolley!
With new connections that extend almost to the 405 at the mouth of Laguna Canyon Road, and with San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point connecting into Laguna Beach, you’ll save yourself the endless circling for parking.
See my all-in-one article on Trolley Maps, Connections and Times here
OK, starting with the Grand Dame of them all …
Pageant of the Masters
One-minute Summary: One of the most unique productions in the world, the Pageant of the Masters turns 85 this year. Over the course of 90 minutes in the outdoor amphitheater, watch in amazement as art truly comes to life with faithful recreations of classical and contemporary works of art, with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces.
Dates for 2017: Nightly, through Thursday, Aug. 31
Times: Nightly, 8:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.
Ticket pricing for 2017: Internet pricing is best. There are 3 dates for Internet special pricing – Tuesday, July 11th, Thursday, July 13th and Wednesday, July 12th. Otherwise, pricing on tickets through Internet purchase range from $15 to Internet Premium Loge Center on weekends at $262. See Irvine Bowl seating and ticket options
Festival of Arts Fine Art Show
One-minute Summary: One of the nation’s oldest and most highly acclaimed juried fine art shows, the Festival of Arts has offered a rare showcase for artists and art lovers for 85 years. The juried art show features 140 Orange County fine artists on a newly debuted “canvas” of its own on the Festival grounds. Stroll through the fine art as you listen to live music, sip wine, dine at the on-site restaurant and participate in daily art tours and workshops. Bookmark our site’s Laguna Beach Best Calendar (http://LagunaBeachBest.com/Calendar) for highlights of favorite events and live music
Dates for 2017: Daily through Thursday, Aug. 31
Times: Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Entry pricing for 2017:
Weekdays – $8 general admission, $5 students and seniors (65+)
Weekends – $12 general admission, $8 students and seniors (65+)
Always Free: Children 12 and under, military, Festival of Arts members and Laguna Beach residents with valid ID.
Sawdust Art Festival
One-minute Summary: The most popular of the 3 summer Laguna Beach art festivals, The Sawdust formed 52 years ago as a non-juried consortium of local artists. Drawing more than 200,000 visitors worldwide each year, the Sawdust is actually that – and lots of it – as you stroll sawdust-covered paths through a hand-crafted village of fine arts and arts & crafts. The Sawdust also features glassblowing demonstrations (very cool), hands-on workshops for kids and adults, a Ceramic Center, four outdoor cafes, a saloon and live music entertainment.
Dates for 2017: Daily through Sunday, Sept. 3rd
Times: Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Entry Pricing for 2017: $9 general admission, $7 Seniors (65+) $4 children ages 6-12
Always Free: Children 5 and under, Laguna Beach residents with valid I.D. ONLY on Mondays and Thursdays after 5:00 p.m., and Friday all day.
Note: if purchasing tickets online, please allow up to 3 hours for delivery to your email. Sawdust Ticket Info & Purchase
Laguna Art-A-Fair
One-minute Summary: Next to the Sawdust Festival and across the street from The Festival of Arts, the Art-A-Fair completes the triumvirate circle of great art in Laguna Canyon each summer. Art-A-Fair is celebrating more than 50 years in the Canyon.
This year, the festival features 120 fine artists and artisans from around the world. Daily art workshops are taught by skilled professional artists and great live music is performed Thursday through Sundays. The full-service restaurant, Tivoli Too!, also offers up south-of-the-border cuisine.
Dates for 2017: Daily through Sunday, Sept. 3rd
Times: Sun – Thurs, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Fri/Sat, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Entry Pricing: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and military, $6 for people in groups of 20 or more
Always Free: Children under 12, Laguna Beach residents with a valid ID.
Passport to the Arts
If you’re interested in seeing more than one of the three Laguna Beach Art Festivals, consider investing in the great Passport to the Arts, which offers one price ($24) and one pass to all three of the summer festivals all summer long. With the Passport you receive unlimited access to:
* Over 500 artists and their artwork
* Over 300 hands-on art workshops
* More than 200 musical performances
* Dozens of special events and artist demonstrations
* One-time free parking in the Act 5 Lot (Laguna Canyon)
Passport ticket info and purchase here