Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
4.5
Art GalleriesConcertsTheatersLiterary, Art & Music ToursTheater & Performances
4:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Monday
4:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Tuesday
4:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Wednesday
4:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Thursday
4:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Full view

About
Laguna Beach is home to the Festival of Arts, which produces two world-class events in the summer from early July to late August. Set in an open-air gallery, the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show features the work of over 100 award-winning local artists. The Festival showcases a variety of mediums and styles for avid collectors and festival goers to browse and purchase directly from the artists. In addition to the artwork on display, the summer event calendar with live music, wine tasting, art classes and more. And when the sun goes down, the lights go up on one of the most unique theatrical performances in the world, the Pageant of the Masters. Each night in the outdoor amphitheater, works of art are re-created with real people posing in elaborate costumes and extravagant sets. Know the saying "Life imitates art"? You need to see how the professionals do it! Early ticket purchase is recommended, as this is a highly sought-after event that draws art enthusiasts from around the world.
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Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
980 reviews
Excellent
767
Very good
122
Average
40
Poor
22
Terrible
29
SnowAviation
Escondido, CA22 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
My wife drug me to one of these shows about 12 years ago. We have been going ever since, I am still in awe every time. The transformation of people into works of art is pretty dang amazing. Tips, go early, park your car, walk around town, get something to eat or go to the park area with your own snacks and drinks (Yes they will allow you to bring wine into the venue) Bring binoculars, bring a seat cushion if your but can't stand sitting for a long time, check the temps and bring a blanket or light jacket as it can get chilly. Get LOGE tickets if you can afford them, don't sit in the first three or 4 rows as it's too close to appreciate the art on stage at that range and you will miss some things that happen on the sides of the stage. Don't show up late and try to find your seats, it will frustrate you and really irritate those who have to be interrupted in the opening moments of this great show.
Written July 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gypsybam
Sunnyvale, CA73 contributions
Aug 2023
I have come to the Pageant of the Masters/Festival of the Arts for years and became a member because I believe in what they do. Each year I bring family and friends, get a VRBO and enjoy! Over the years I have loved the history I learn about art pieces....last year I got the full scoop on Nellie Bly! I loved it all. We come and bring wine and a charcuterie and enjoy the live music. Then we enter the theater which is always magical with the stage, full orchestra and narrator. The 1 st time I ever came, the narrator was the voice of "Tony the Tiger". What fun! I appreciate all the artists and those in the pageant. It is a special time each year.
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MartyandJim
Orange, CA37 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We go to the Pageant every summer. The production is excellent and there is always a new twist every year. Snack bar is mediocre but you can probably find something you like. Only complaint is the seating. The seats are metal old-style theatre seats which is ok since the Pageant is outdoors. The problem is they are too small so you’re elbow to elbow with your neighbor, and you have to stand up to let someone pass.
Written November 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann Marie L
Las Vegas, NV1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
We have attended The Pageant of the Masters every year, for several years l. I am not sure what changed? The whole production was horrible, very disorganized and amateur, messy production. The production consisted of crookedly placed photos on the screen, with no apparent theme . With high priced tickets and difficultly parking, we were expecting a beautiful show, as in we have experienced in the w. This show was nothing like we expected. It was horrible. Poorly done. And definitely not worth the ticket price and effort . Did we pay the high ticket price to view crookedly placed photos of fashion on a large blurry screen. The Last Supper, was a blurry crookedly placed photo misplaced on the screen! The whole production was painful to sit through, as we kept watching, hoping it would get better. It just got worse! HORRIBLE!!!
Written February 13, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris C
Riverside, CA1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Friends
Have been to the show for years and years and it has always been spectacular.
In 2023 however, it was the absolute worst performance I've ever attended. No "life" to the show. No movement after they've "set". An utter waste of performance space and stage work talent that provided am underperformed art exhibit.
In 2023 however, it was the absolute worst performance I've ever attended. No "life" to the show. No movement after they've "set". An utter waste of performance space and stage work talent that provided am underperformed art exhibit.
Written May 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom Moser
Fallbrook, CA159 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
This was my 3rd visit and I recommend this wonderful experience to all. You can google this event but nothing can prepare you for the presentation of master painting you will see in this unique style. It will become an annual event. Some tips are:
1. Go early and have dinner at Alissa’s. Parking in town or the Pageant lot is easy even with crowds.
2. Go an hour early and peruse the wonderful exhibit and sale of local art before the show.
3. Take water as it is outrageously expensive, $5.00 a bottled.
4. There are restaurants inside the theatre, but pricey. Might as well get a great meal in the village.
5. No photography equipment. They are serious about this.
6. You don’t need the most expensive tickets as the viewing is good in all seats. However, binoculars are good even if close to view the details.
7. If you come to the show from the south, PCH (the coast hey fir you non natives) is a good choice when exiting. The Toll Road is also good but that can back up as most people use that.
8. Bring a jacket, yes it is California, because you are in the coast and the show gets over at 11:00 PM. It gets chilly!
I’m sure you will enjoy the show and make it an annual event. I think it runs Tues thru Sunday most of August into September, check this on the web where you buy your tickets. Also, be sure to get your will call tickets outside before entering. Enjoy snd see you next year!
1. Go early and have dinner at Alissa’s. Parking in town or the Pageant lot is easy even with crowds.
2. Go an hour early and peruse the wonderful exhibit and sale of local art before the show.
3. Take water as it is outrageously expensive, $5.00 a bottled.
4. There are restaurants inside the theatre, but pricey. Might as well get a great meal in the village.
5. No photography equipment. They are serious about this.
6. You don’t need the most expensive tickets as the viewing is good in all seats. However, binoculars are good even if close to view the details.
7. If you come to the show from the south, PCH (the coast hey fir you non natives) is a good choice when exiting. The Toll Road is also good but that can back up as most people use that.
8. Bring a jacket, yes it is California, because you are in the coast and the show gets over at 11:00 PM. It gets chilly!
I’m sure you will enjoy the show and make it an annual event. I think it runs Tues thru Sunday most of August into September, check this on the web where you buy your tickets. Also, be sure to get your will call tickets outside before entering. Enjoy snd see you next year!
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve B
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Couples
This was our fourth or fifth year to come to this production. Unfortunately this year didn’t measure up to our previous experiences. The extent to which the artwork pieces ‘came to life’ was much reduced over previous years. We love pieces like when the lady with the parasol moved/came to life near the end of that selection. The ‘oh….ah…’ across the audience is audible in those great scenes. There wasn’t enough of that this year. We felt the entire production was not up to the level of previous years. Artwork selection, music selection, movement in the artwork - all lacking. We’ll come again, hoping the quality returns to what we have experienced in years past. If not, we’ll hold on to fond memories from the past.
Written August 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cecilia G
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This show was nothing like that of years passed.
The backdrops looked like small cheaply made posters or ads. Fewer live actors were used - Fewer still interacted with audience /walked out of art. Left close to last act
* If this is your first time you’ll think it’s awesome.
* The singers were amazing
The backdrops looked like small cheaply made posters or ads. Fewer live actors were used - Fewer still interacted with audience /walked out of art. Left close to last act
* If this is your first time you’ll think it’s awesome.
* The singers were amazing
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rich379
San Diego, California6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Very disappointing. Left at intermission. Attended 2 years ago and loved it. The format change with singers and dancers and even a boat that moves across the stage seemed very cheesy. Go back to the original format of living art. It's great when they "take you behind the scenes" and show how a "painting " is constructed. It's also great when someone deliberately moves at the end of a scene. However in 2023 they turned the festival into sort of a variety show. Terrible overall. Go back to the original approach.
Written August 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fredsplayland
San Diego, CA58 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
I purchased 17 tickets for The pageant of the Masters this season. That was done months ago. since the covid-19 virus it's been impossible to get customer service from this organization. I've sent several letters to them about getting a refund for my group.the first few letters got no response at all. Then I got a letter telling me how short-staffed and busy they were. A month after the cancellation was announced I sent them another letter requesting a refund. With no response. I recently received a letter from the president David Perry basically stating the same thing I've heard in the past. They're working as quickly as on processing refunds. I've been waiting for a refund 3 months now and that is absolutely unacceptable. Today I have sent them six emails and still no results. I have a responsibility for my group just as the pageant of the Masters has a responsibility to me as a customer. Up to now they are totally shirking their responsibility. I have asked several times for someone to just pick up a phone and give me a call but no response. I am absolutely convinced that this group has no regard for its patrons or members. Even those of us who've been attending for years.I have lost all faith in this organization's management and I will never attend an event at this venue again.I will also never have a positive word to say about anyting associated with the pageant of Masters. You have definitely showed your true colors.
Written July 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there free parking when attending the pageant of the masters in Laguna Beach California
Written August 1, 2022
Yes, there are free parking lots there and a very good free trolley system if you park further away.
Written August 3, 2022
We're being dropped off by bus, but being picked up by friends to go elsewhere for dinner. Where is the best place for pickup close to the entrance to the event
Written August 6, 2021
I will be there tomorrow - and cannot walk more than from car to shuttle - and need to know where I can park, eat in town, and shuttle to Festival.
I have a handicap plaque.
Written July 18, 2021
The free trolley runs everyday during the summer festival season, usually early July thru 1st week of September. The rest of the year, it runs only on weekends. You can check by googling Laguna Beach free trolley.
Written July 28, 2019
Can you bring food and wine in prior to show?
Written July 12, 2019
I know many people sneak little snacks in but the noise of paper or foil annoys patrons ans ushers are watching an wul say something, so I am sure you can eat outside the theater in designated areas. I am sure they have a price for breathing too loud. Just kidding, just plan on a drink or a lite snack and I am sure you will survive if you dine late or dine early, just nothing major while the Pageant is on so others are not disturbed..
Written July 14, 2019
Hbsac010155
Huntington Beach, California
How long is the pageant of the Masters show?
Written August 15, 2018
Is there a place to board dogs during the show? Or do you have a suggestion where dogs could be boarded?
Written July 29, 2018
There are NO boarding facilities at the Pageant.
You would have to at Kennel right across from the Pageant.
Written July 30, 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.