Sixty summers. Same Laguna Beach canyon. Zero signs of slowing down.
The Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach turns 60 this summer, and if you’re looking for one place that captures everything the city does best (art, food, live music, hands-on creativity and golden-hour atmosphere), this is it. Sawdust Art Festival 2026 runs June 26–Sept. 6 at 935 Laguna Canyon Road. It’s open everyday, Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., with tickets available at the gate and online. Here are six reasons the Sawdust Art Festival is one of the best things to do in Laguna Beach this summer.
1. Why Sawdust Art Festival Laguna Beach Is Different
At the Sawdust Art Festival, every piece tells a story. This non-juried, artist-led outdoor art festival features original paintings, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, glass, and more—all handcrafted and sold by local Laguna Beach artists. Whether you’re discovering your first piece of art or searching for your next favorite, you’ll find authentic work, meet the artist behind it, and experience the creative spirit that has defined Laguna Beach for generations.
2. You Can Watch Art Happen in Real Time
Half the experience at Sawdust is the making. Live demonstrations happen throughout the festival, giving visitors a front-row seat to the creative process. Watch glassblowers shape molten glass, ceramicists throw clay on the wheel, jewelers craft intricate pieces at the bench, and artists bring new works to life right before your eyes.
For those who want to do more than watch, complimentary hands-on workshops invite guests to explore their own creativity. Led by working artists, these interactive experiences let you learn new techniques, experiment with different mediums, and leave with a one-of-a-kind creation of your own. It’s the kind of experience that transforms a simple day out into a lasting memory and often sparks a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
3. The Grants Have Been Here Since the Beginning
A visit to Jay and Nikki Grant’s booth offers more than beautiful artwork—it provides a connection to the heart of the Sawdust Art Festival. As longtime artists and dedicated members of the Sawdust community, they embody the creative spirit and independent vision that have defined the festival for six decades.
Sawdust was founded by artists who believed there should be a place where local creatives could share and sell their work on their own terms. Jay and Nikki continue that tradition today, welcoming visitors into a space where art, community, and storytelling come together. Their booth is not only a showcase of their work, but also a reminder of the history, passion, and artist-driven culture that make Sawdust unlike any other arts festival.
4. The Food Scene at Sawdust Art Festival, Laguna Beach
The food scene at Sawdust is worth the trip on its own. The Cove by Starfish is serving its now-famous churro bao bun, a sweet treat that has quickly become a festival favorite. AhbA is making its debut as the festival’s newest concession, serving elevated American-style cuisine and its popular burgers that has quickly become a local favorite. On the savory side, Taco Loco, led by local favorite Gonzo Rebollar, delivers the bold flavors and laid-back Laguna spirit that have made it a longtime crowd pleaser.
Throughout the festival grounds, outdoor cafes offer specialty coffee, wine, cocktails, and cold beer, making it easy to grab a drink and linger a little longer. Whether you’re enjoying lunch beneath the canyon trees, sharing a sweet treat between gallery strolls, or raising a glass with friends as live music fills the air, dining at Sawdust feels less like a concession stop and more like part of the experience itself.
5. Live Music Every Day
Between bites and browsing, Sawdust has always understood that art doesn’t happen in silence. Live entertainment runs throughout the season, with music woven into the festival grounds with three separate stages. It adds rhythm to the whole afternoon. The music pulls you in, follows you through the booths and makes the whole place feel like somewhere worth staying.
6. The Sawdust Festival’s Canyon Setting Shines at Golden Hour
This is specific, and it’s real. The eucalyptus trees at Sawdust at golden hour are one of the better things this stretch of the California coast has going on. The canyon setting has been the same for almost sixty years because no one has found a reason to change something that works this well. It’s walkable, beautiful and (unlike most things worth going to in summer) genuinely unhurried.
As the afternoon light fades and the canyon settles into the evening, it’s easy to understand why generations of visitors have made Sawdust part of their summer tradition. There is always another artist to discover, another conversation to have, and another corner of the festival to explore.
The Sawdust Art Festival runs June 26 through September 6 in Laguna Beach. Tickets are available online and at the gate. First-time visitors should plan to spend at least a few hours exploring the grounds, while longtime fans know that one visit is rarely enough. With more than 180 local artists, live music, hands-on art experiences, and great food throughout the canyon, every visit offers something new to discover and another opportunity to support Laguna Beach’s vibrant creative community.
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
