Sawdust Art Festival
The 2026 Sawdust Art Festival summer season ran from June 26 through September 6 in Laguna Beach, California, celebrating the festival's 60th anniversary. The summer season has concluded; 2027 dates, admission prices, and hours will be added when officially announced. For a seasonal visit, see our Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy guide.
Laguna Beach's art festival is a fun, funky place for local artists to display and sell their ceramics, clothing, textiles, mixed media, woodworking, and more. The more laid-back sister to the world-famous Festival of the Arts with its brilliant stagecraft/art performance Pageant of the Masters, Sawdust is an open-air art venue, rather than an art gallery, that shows off all things artsy, crafty and local, and it does it very, very well.
Sawdust Art Festival
Sawdust Art Festival Website
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Address: 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
2026 summer dates (concluded): June 26–September 6, 2026
2026 summer hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 AM–8 PM; Friday–Saturday 11 AM–10 PM
2027 summer dates, hours and admission: To be announced
Summer Festival Tickets & Admission
For the 2026 summer season, admission was $12.50 for adults, $10.50 for seniors (65+), and $5.50 for children ages 6–12. Tickets can be bought online or purchased at the onsite Box Office. Children five and under are free but a ticket is still required for admission.
For future seasons, confirm ticket prices, online purchase processing times, and entry policies on the official summer festival website before visiting.
The festival has offered veterans' admission benefits and group discounts for parties of 15 or more; confirm current eligibility and terms before purchasing tickets.
About the Sawdust Art Festival
The Laguna art festival and its actual sawdust-strewn walkways is a permanent village built of eclectic hand-built wooden booths that are just as much fun to look at as the art for sale. Its purpose? To be a place where free artistic expression rules.
How fun and funky are we talking? The toe ring booth does custom fittings.
But Sawdust Art Festival is more than just toe rings and a really awesome art walkabout - It’s also an educational center, where art classes taught by working Sawdust artists are held year-round. The nonprofit Sawdust Art Festival has two missions: to support art and artists in Laguna Beach, and to educate the public in appreciating and valuing art in its many forms.
And it does all that by hosting a 9 week-long art party that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Laguna Beach every year.
What's drawing those 200,000 people? A lot.
The spirit of the Sawdust Festival itself is one of joy… joy in the beautiful environment of Laguna Beach, joy in companionship, and definitely joy in the many creative arts. Whether you‘re an art newbie or a long-time collector… whether you’re shopping for a gift, a new piece of décor or a new necklace, the Festival has something for you.
Ready to dive into the Sawdust Festival? We’ll give you all the information you need to have art-themed fun in gorgeous Laguna Beach.
Pop-Up Festival Classes
Complimentary art classes are offered daily in three demo booths during festival hours. Choose from a selection of festival classes with new and different options added every week. Classes are either free or include a minimal cost of $5-$10 for materials.
Sawdust Art Classes
Sawdust also offers a variety of year-round artist-led studio classes. Age requirements vary by workshop, so check the individual class listing. Read our Sawdust Art Festival art classes guide for a firsthand workshop experience and booking tips. Glassblowing, painting, jewelry-making, photography, ceramics and pottery are all taught at three locations within the Festival grounds.
Art Classes for Kids
If you’re not up for the more serious classes held throughout the year, or if you’re not quite old enough, don’t worry! The Sawdust Festival has special classes for the younger set that only run during the Festival itself. So if you’re 14 and under, you can still participate in a fun make and take art class that might spark your hidden artistic genius.
What kind of classes do they have?
- Figure drawing
- Collage
- Wet chalk art
- Throw a pot
- Glass fusing and jewelry design
- Make your own Mardi Gras mask
- Photography
Parents, please note that minors taking a class must always be accompanied by a parent. Ages will be posted with the class description so that you’ll know what class is good for your budding Picasso… and you (parents can take some classes, too. Why should the kids have all the fun?)
Food
When you need a break from window-shopping (and actual shopping) there are plenty of other things to sink your teeth into. A variety of food vendors will serve you everything from Greek to Mexican food. Heck, there’s even a coffee bar.
While you’re deciding between the kettle corn and a hot dog… or choosing to go organic at the Bistro… or drinking a craft beer… you don’t have to sit out the fun. The Sawdust Festival’s two stages are near the food area and provide a great place to listen to the excellent local musicians. The musical selection varies from band to band, but it’s always high-quality.
Getting There & Parking
The Sawdust Art Festival is easy to find off Laguna Canyon Road, but be warned… rush hour traffic can be unpleasant.
Metered spaces and paid city lots are available in Laguna Beach, but rates and availability change. Check the city's current parking information before your visit.
During the summer festival, the Act V (Lot 16) parking and trolley option can help visitors avoid downtown traffic. The organizer has advertised $5-per-day parking at Lot 16; confirm the applicable season's price and service before traveling. See our Laguna Beach trolley guide for transportation options.
Accessibility
The festival's sawdust-covered paths and uneven surfaces may be challenging for some mobility devices. The organizer provides information about reservable beach-style wheelchairs; contact Sawdust in advance to confirm availability, accessibility arrangements, and the best entrance for your needs.
Does the Sawdust Festival Allow Dogs?
Pets are not permitted at the festival; trained service animals are permitted in accordance with applicable accessibility rules. Check the organizer's current visitor policies before bringing an animal.
Missed the Summer Festival? Visit Winter Fantasy
The Sawdust grounds also host Winter Fantasy, a separate holiday-season event with local artists, handmade gifts and festive activities. For current dates, hours, admission and planning details, visit our dedicated Winter Fantasy guide.
See our Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy guide for the latest holiday-season schedule and visitor information.
The Sawdust Art Festival is only one of the ways to support the arts in Laguna Beach, but it’s also one of the most unique art venues in Orange County. Give it a try. You won’t regret it.
