Every summer, Laguna Beach transforms into one of California’s most exciting destinations for art lovers, beach travelers, and creative explorers during the Festival of Arts season. Known for its incredible artwork, live entertainment, local culture, and famous Pageant of the Masters performances, the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts has become one of the city’s most iconic annual traditions.
Visitors from across the country travel to Laguna Beach each summer to experience the city’s unique art scene while enjoying beautiful beaches, ocean views, restaurants, and coastal activities. Whether you are already passionate about art or simply looking for a fun and memorable summer activity during your beach vacation, the Festival of Arts offers something for every type of visitor.
The 2026 Festival of Arts season is scheduled to take place from July 1 through August 28, 2026, with the Pageant of the Masters performances happening throughout the summer season as well.
For guests staying at Costa Art Hotel, attending the Festival of Arts is easy thanks to the hotel’s convenient location near downtown Laguna Beach and many of the city’s most popular attractions.
What Is the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts
The Festival of Arts is one of Laguna Beach’s longest-running and most celebrated cultural events. The festival showcases work from talented local Orange County artists across a wide range of styles and mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, glass art, and mixed media.
The event creates an open-air art experience where visitors can walk through exhibits, meet artists in person, watch live art demonstrations, and purchase original artwork directly from creators.
One of the most famous parts of the festival is the internationally known Pageant of the Masters, a live theatrical performance where real people recreate famous works of art on stage in astonishing detail. The production combines music, storytelling, lighting, and visual illusions to create a truly unique experience that visitors often remember long after their trip to Laguna Beach.
The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters continue to be some of the most anticipated summer events in Laguna Beach, drawing thousands of visitors every year.
What Guests Can Expect at the Festival
One reason the Festival of Arts is so popular is because it offers much more than traditional art exhibits. The festival grounds create a lively and welcoming atmosphere filled with live music, food, drinks, workshops, and interactive experiences throughout the season.
Visitors can spend hours exploring the exhibits while listening to live performances or enjoying a meal in the outdoor setting. Many guests enjoy speaking directly with artists to learn about the inspiration behind their work and creative process.
The festival is also family-friendly, making it a great activity for couples, groups of friends, and families visiting Laguna Beach during the summer.
For travelers who may not usually attend art events, the Festival of Arts provides a relaxed and approachable environment that feels fun, creative, and connected to Laguna Beach’s coastal culture.
Explore Laguna Art-A-Fair During Your Visit
In addition to the Festival of Arts, visitors can also explore Laguna Art-A-Fair during the summer season. Laguna Art-A-Fair is scheduled to run from June 26 through August 30, 2026 (however, closed on July 4th) and features a large collection of artists and exhibitors displaying everything from fine art and photography to handmade crafts and jewelry.
The event offers another opportunity for guests to experience Laguna Beach’s creative atmosphere while discovering unique artwork and local talent.
Because the Festival of Arts and Laguna Art-A-Fair are located close to one another, visitors can easily experience both during the same day while exploring the city.
Enjoy Laguna Beach Between Festival Visits
One of the best parts about attending the Festival of Arts is that visitors can combine the experience with everything else Laguna Beach has to offer.
Guests can spend the morning relaxing at Crescent Bay Beach before heading downtown for the festival in the afternoon. Others may prefer enjoying lunch at a local restaurant before attending an evening Pageant of the Masters performance.
Popular nearby beaches include:
- Crescent Bay Beach
- Main Beach
- Treasure Island Beach
- Victoria Beach
Laguna Beach is also known for its scenic walking paths, oceanfront parks, and local dining scene. Visitors attending the festival can easily turn the experience into a full weekend getaway filled with beaches, restaurants, shopping, and coastal activities.
Restaurants to Visit Near the Festival of Arts
Laguna Beach offers a wide range of dining options that pair perfectly with a day exploring the festival.
Las Brisas is one of the city’s most popular restaurants thanks to its oceanfront views and coastal-inspired menu. It is a favorite stop before evening performances and sunset walks.
Nick’s Laguna Beach offers a lively atmosphere with comfort food favorites and craft cocktails, while Reunion Kitchen + Drink provides a more casual dining experience ideal for relaxing after a long day exploring the festival grounds.
Visitors looking for coffee shops, dessert spots, or quick bites will also find many local options throughout downtown Laguna Beach.
Why Costa Art Hotel Is a Great Place to Stay During the Festival
Summer is one of the busiest and most exciting times to visit Laguna Beach, and staying at Costa Art Hotel places guests close to many of the city’s most popular summer activities while offering a more relaxed coastal atmosphere.
The hotel is located near downtown Laguna Beach and only a short drive from the Festival of Arts grounds, making it convenient for guests attending daytime exhibits or evening performances.
After spending the day exploring galleries and events, guests can return to Costa Art Hotel to relax by the heated outdoor pool or unwind in newly renovated guest rooms designed with bright coastal-inspired decor.
Guests can also enjoy amenities including complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary parking, beach towels, beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, and guest laundry facilities.
The hotel’s location near Crescent Bay Beach also gives visitors the opportunity to combine their arts experience with beach days and scenic coastal walks throughout their trip.
Whether you are visiting Laguna Beach specifically for the Festival of Arts or planning a summer beach getaway with art and culture woven into the experience, Costa Art Hotel offers a comfortable and convenient place to stay near all the excitement.