Nestled closely against the cliffs of Laguna Canyon, the Sawdust Art Festival is part of the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts. Visitors enjoy a colorful overview of the Laguna art world with an intimate setting for local artists and artisans to showcase their wares alongside more mass-produced pieces.
The Sawdust Art Festival has grown in popularity, from its humble beginnings as a small show on a vacant lot to a nine-week gala on a lush three-acre eucalyptus grove.
Each year, thousands of art enthusiasts are drawn to the festival and are guided along sawdust-covered paths through a specially handcrafted village passed funky little booths operated by each non-mainstream but a well-known artist.
Artists sell hand-crafted bric-a-brac, including clothing and textiles, jewelry and ceramics, painting and photography, wood and metal sculpture, scrimshaw, gourd art, furniture, leather, and lots more.
The festival also features demonstrations such as glass blowing, complimentary hands-on art workshops, a dynamic children’s art booth, three stages of live music, food vendors, three local restaurants, and cold beverages from the Sawdust Saloon.
Designed to entertain and educate, the Sawdust Festival contrasts the glossier, more refined exhibition across the street. It is rumored to have been started by many hippies rebelling against the Pageant Of The Masters–Laguna Beach’s oldest art show — which juries its exhibitors.
In addition to the summer art show, which starts in late June, the venue is also dedicated to arts education and promoting arts and crafts created in Laguna Beach and offers year-round classes.
The Winter Fantasy also transforms the festival grounds into a winter wonderland for four weekends from mid-November through early December. It includes 170 art exhibits, holiday entertainment, community performances, and visits with Santa.
Overall, the Sawdust Festival plays a vital role in supporting the careers of many local Laguna Beach artists and is a great way to get your hands on some very unusual and imaginative artworks while getting to know the people behind the work.
Where is the Sawdust Art Festival
The Sawdust Festival is located in Laguna Beach, approximately fifty miles south of Los Angeles, in South Orange County. Address: 935 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Hours: 10 am -10 pm daily Event Website.
i am looking up for my granddaughter who is an artist as well as her boyfriend – they both work for film studios – they have a small dog and want to know if they can bring him
Hello Janice
That’s a good question. I suggest you call the Sawdust Festival for a definitive answer. (949) 494-3030.
With so many artworks on display, some of them at ground level. I doubt that pets are welcome.
WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AS AN ARTIST HOW CAN I BECOME APART OF THIS EVENT, WOULD LIKE TO SHOW CASE MY ART.
Hello Edward
I believe that local artists are given priority for booth space. And there is a long waiting line even if you are a local artist.
You can contact the festival directly for more info.
Thanks for visiting our website.
Any Monday free???? or all Mondays free to Costa Mesa residents???
Thanks.
Hello Marilyn
Here is the list of days for Orange County Residents Free Days for the Sawdust Festival.
Sunday: Free admission after 5 pm with ID for residents of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, Monarch Beach, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, San Clemente, Las Flores, Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Dove Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita.
Monday: Free admission after 5 pm with ID for residents of Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Corona del Mar, Balboa Island, Irvine, Santa Ana, Tustin, Orange, Villa Park, Silverado Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills. And NOW Laguna Beach residents!
Tuesday: Free admission after 5 pm with ID for residents of Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Westminster, Fountain Valley, Los Alamitos, Cypress, Stanton, La Palma, Garden Grove, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Buena Park, Fullerton, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Brea, La Habra.
Thursday: Laguna Beach residents receive FREE admission with ID Thursday evenings (after 5pm) and the first Friday of each month (all day).
Sawdust Festival weekly events:
Sundays – Dance Party night with Lessons, 5-9:30 p.m.
Tuesdays – Chef’s night every other Tuesday, July 21 with Chef Jen Heo of Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar
Wednesdays – Singer Songwriter nights
Wednesdays – Sip, Walk & Talk Tours with complimentary wine tasting, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Orange County Residents Free Days
Sunday- Free admission after 5 pm with ID for residents of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, Monarch Beach, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, San Clemente, Las Flores, Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Dove Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita.
Monday- Free admission after 5 pm with ID for residents of Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Corona del Mar, Balboa Island, Irvine, Santa Ana, Tustin, Orange, Villa Park, Silverado Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills. and Laguna Beach residents!
Tuesday- Free admission after 5 pm with ID for residents of Huntington Beach, Seal Beach.
Westminster, Fountain Valley, Los Alamitos, Cypress, Stanton, La Palma, Garden Grove, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Buena Park, Fullerton, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Brea, La Habra.
Thursday- Laguna Beach residents receive FREE admission with ID Thursday evenings (after 5pm) and the first Friday of each month (all day), July 3rd and August 7th.