2026 Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach: Complete Local Guide
Every summer, Laguna Beach, California becomes one of Southern California’s premier destinations for art, culture and live entertainment. At the center of the season are two iconic events: the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the world-famous Pageant of the Masters.
If you're looking for things to do in Laguna Beach in summer 2026, these events deserve a spot near the top of your list.
The 2026 Festival of Arts Fine Art Show runs July 7 through September 3, 2026, while the Pageant of the Masters runs nightly July 9 through September 4, 2026 at the Festival of Arts grounds at 650 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
2026 Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters: Quick Answer
| Event | 2026 Details |
|---|---|
| Festival of Arts Fine Art Show | July 7–September 3, 2026 |
| Pageant of the Masters | July 9–September 4, 2026 |
| Pageant Showtime | Nightly at 8:30 p.m. |
| Location | 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 |
| 2026 Pageant Theme | The Greatest of All Time |
| Festival Weekday Hours | 4:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m. |
| Festival Weekend Hours | 11:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m. |
What Is the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts?
The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show is one of Laguna Beach's signature summer traditions and has showcased fine art for more than 90 years.
More than 100 juried Orange County artists participate in the outdoor exhibition, with original works available in a wide variety of mediums, including painting, photography, ceramics, glass and other fine art.
Visitors can browse and purchase art directly from participating artists while also enjoying art demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions, live entertainment and special events throughout the summer season.
For anyone interested in art—or simply looking for a memorable summer evening in coastal Orange County—the setting alone makes the Festival worth experiencing.
What Is the Pageant of the Masters?
The Pageant of the Masters is what makes Laguna Beach's summer arts season truly unusual.
Rather than simply displaying famous artwork, the Pageant recreates celebrated paintings and sculptures on stage using real people posed within elaborate sets to look remarkably like the original works of art.
This theatrical technique is known as tableaux vivants, or “living pictures.”
Lighting, costumes, makeup, scenery, live narration and orchestral music combine to create the illusion that a famous painting or sculpture has suddenly come to life.
The performance takes place outdoors in the Festival's amphitheater, making the setting itself part of the experience.
Plan on approximately two hours for the performance, including intermission.
The 2026 Pageant of the Masters Theme: “The Greatest of All Time”
Each year brings a completely new Pageant production and theme.
For 2026, the Pageant of the Masters presents “The Greatest of All Time.”
The show explores some of history's most influential artists and recognizable masterpieces, including works associated with Michelangelo, Johannes Vermeer, Diego Velázquez, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Norman Rockwell, among others.
The question behind the production is simple: Who are the greatest artists—and what are the greatest works of art—of all time?
Audiences get to decide for themselves.
Festival of Arts 2026 Hours and Admission
The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show runs from July 7 through September 3, 2026.
Monday through Friday, the Festival is open from 4:00 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, it opens at 11:00 a.m. and remains open until 11:30 p.m.
For 2026, general Festival admission is $10 Monday through Friday and $15 Saturday and Sunday. Discounted admission is available for students, seniors and children, while children age five and younger, military members, qualifying Laguna Beach residents and Festival members receive complimentary admission.
Always confirm current admission information through the official Festival of Arts website before visiting.
One Helpful Pageant Ticket Benefit
One of the best reasons to arrive early for the Pageant is that a Pageant of the Masters ticket also includes access to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show.
Instead of arriving just before the 8:30 p.m. performance, consider making an evening of it.
Browse the artwork, enjoy the open-air setting, listen to live music when scheduled and have dinner or a snack before heading into the amphitheater.
Dining at the Festival of Arts
Visitors don't necessarily have to leave the grounds to eat before the Pageant.
The Festival offers onsite dining options, including Courtside Kitchen, a seasonal restaurant located near the Festival grounds, and The Café, which offers more casual grab-and-go choices.
Visitors may also bring their own food and enjoy a picnic on the Festival grounds, subject to Festival policies regarding cooler sizes and prohibited items.
Of course, another option is to spend the afternoon exploring downtown Laguna Beach, enjoy dinner at one of the city's restaurants and then head to Laguna Canyon Road for the Festival and Pageant.
Parking for the Pageant of the Masters
Parking is probably the single biggest thing I would plan ahead for.
Summer is extremely busy in Laguna Beach, and the Festival advises visitors that there is no general parking directly at the Festival of Arts facility.
Paid public parking lots and metered spaces are available throughout Laguna Beach, but they can fill quickly.
A particularly convenient alternative is the free Laguna Beach trolley system, which serves locations along Pacific Coast Highway and Laguna Canyon Road and provides access to the Festival area.
My suggestion: arrive earlier than you think you need to. It gives you time to park, explore the Festival and enjoy the evening instead of rushing to an 8:30 p.m. show.
Make a Full Laguna Beach Day Out of It
One of the reasons the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters are such popular Orange County summer events is that they're easy to combine with everything else Laguna Beach offers.
You could spend the afternoon at the beach, explore the galleries and shops downtown, have an early dinner and then visit the Festival before the Pageant begins.
Laguna Beach's combination of coastline, art, architecture, restaurants and cultural events is part of what makes the community so distinctive within South Orange County.
Tips Before You Go
A few things can make your visit much easier:
- Arrive early, especially on weekends. Summer traffic and parking in Laguna Beach can take longer than expected.
- Buy Pageant tickets in advance. Seating and availability vary by performance.
- Come before the Pageant so you have time to enjoy the Festival of Arts exhibition.
- Consider using the Laguna Beach trolley rather than trying to park immediately adjacent to the venue.
- Bring a light layer. Even warm Laguna Beach days can turn cool after sunset.
- Don't plan on taking photos during the Pageant. Cameras and cellphone photography are prohibited during the performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
When is the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach in 2026?
The 2026 Festival of Arts Fine Art Show runs from July 7 through September 3, 2026.
When is the Pageant of the Masters in 2026?
The Pageant of the Masters runs July 9 through September 4, 2026, with performances nightly at 8:30 p.m.
Where is the Pageant of the Masters?
The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters are located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California 92651.
What is the Pageant of the Masters?
The Pageant of the Masters is an outdoor theatrical production in which real people pose within elaborate sets to recreate famous paintings, sculptures and other works of art. Lighting, costumes, makeup, narration and orchestral music create the illusion of living works of art.
How long is the Pageant of the Masters?
Visitors should plan on approximately two hours, including an intermission.
Does a Pageant of the Masters ticket include Festival of Arts admission?
Yes. A Pageant ticket provides access to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show, making it worthwhile to arrive before the evening performance.
Is there parking at the Pageant of the Masters?
There is no general onsite parking at the Festival facility. Visitors can use public parking lots and metered parking around Laguna Beach or take advantage of Laguna Beach's free trolley service.
Can you take pictures during the Pageant of the Masters?
No. Photography and recording—including cellphone photography—are not permitted during the Pageant performance.
Why Events Like the Pageant Make Laguna Beach Special
Real estate is about more than the house itself. The community and lifestyle surrounding it matter just as much.
Laguna Beach is a perfect example.
Few communities combine dramatic beaches, coastal neighborhoods, art galleries, restaurants, outdoor recreation and major cultural traditions like the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters within such a small area.
It's one of the reasons living in Laguna Beach—and throughout coastal South Orange County—offers such a distinctive lifestyle.
If you're considering buying or selling a home in Laguna Beach, San Clemente, Dana Point or elsewhere in South Orange County, I'm always happy to be a local resource.
Holly McKhann, REALTOR®
South Orange County Real Estate