Sawdust Art Festival

love going to art festivals and meeting the talented artists. The Sawdust Festival was very busy on the Sunday we went. Parking was really bad. It took us over half an hour to find parking and we parked quite far away. We purchased the tickets at the front. We went through the bag check and metal detectors without a hitch. It's really cute inside and I like how each stalls were decorated by the artists. I do find the prices a bit high but that was expected. We did buy a few small pieces during our visit. There were many seating areas scattered around and food options too.

We have been coming here as a family every year for probably the last 20 years. Parking is getting to be a nightmare though, and the line to get in after purchasing tickets was several blocks long at one point. I love this place and its been a great family tradition, but I think I’m done coming here for the next couple years because it has gotten so crowded. Time to make some new memories and new traditions somewhere else.

The best art festival around. Outstanding art in a laid back approachable fun venue. Each booth is hand crafted out of wood amongst the trees, with wood chips on the ground. Live music enhance the joyful atmosphere along with outstanding eateries. Artists demo their work and there are lots of classes like pottery making along with live glass blowing. Lots of fun activities for children. Artists love sharing their craft and chatting with festival goers. It is a charming, joyful, energizing, must go festival for all ages. They even have a Christmas festival that is just as charming. I have been attending Sawdust for decades and thoroughly enjoy every time.

This place seems small but once inside, there’s a lot of stands selling all sorts of items. There’s clothing, pictures, glass, jewelry, 3D pictures, glass blowing and ceramic making. There are statues and displays around the area. They have live music that was fun to hear and eating areas to sit and enjoy. There’s even small water falls that are just lovely. It was very enjoyable. The parking area is small but you can park on the street for meter parking or a direct parking lot.

Very cute festival!!! Parking slightly harder to find with roadside parking $2.5/hr and I think nearby parking lot is $4/day. Love the music, food and artist galleries!!!! Would love to come back again!

Beautiful experience, lots of handmade artwork. Parking is for $20 but you can park outside $3.50 per hour . If you don’t eat inside exhibitions then you will finish visiting less than an hour!

The admission is $12. I was doubting at the first time but it’s really worth it. Two live musics are going, eucalyptus trees are around you with very cool arts, glass art is going. Love their vibe🎶🎨

When there with family members. Our daughter had spent some time in Austria and thought that maybe it was like a Christmas market you would find in Vienna or Salzburg. It was not that kind of event but I personally like it. There were a lot of creative art types. I like photography myself and really enjoyed the creativity of the photos exhibited there. It was a little out of my price range but a very nice way to spent the afternoon. They also had live music which went well with the event.

After visiting the festival this summer, I was excited to attend the Winter Festival for the holidays. I happen to catch it on the last day 12/21 and arrived right when they opened. I decided to avoid the paid parking lot and trolley on this visit and scored a metered spot at half the price, that was located less than 1/2 mile away. You have to come early for these spots. Once I parked, all of them were taken. There were no discounted tickets available for the Winter Festival. So, admission was $12. The line to go through security was insanely long. They will check your bags going in and they will check for receipts of purchases on the way out. There were great Christmas pic opportunities and activities for kids. However, the vendors were pretty much the same as the festival during thr summer. I didn't see too many Christmas related items and for me it was definitely not worth going again. Especially, with the crazy crowds during this visit. My opinion, visit the Sawdust Festival during the designated free days during the summer or don't good on the last day of the Winter Festival. A day here can become quite expensive with parking, admission, and purchases. Make sure you sign up for a class ahead of time for a more enjoyable visit. We did purchase an adorable handcrafted ceramic bowl from Sweet Ceramics.

We went on December 21st, which was apparently the last day of the Sawdust Winter Fantasy event in Laguna Hills. This was our first, and possibly our last time that we will be attending one of these events. The parking situation was insane. We sat in bad traffic (caused by the festival as well as the construction being done on the highway) heading to Lot 16, only to find out after 35 minutes of slowly creeping and lapping down the minimal amount of lanes of parking (along with many other drivers doing the same thing) that we should just turn around and head back to Irvine for their free temporary lot instead. So we sat in major traffic again now headed back to Irvine to hopefully catch a trolley from there. (There went about an hour of our lives wasted.) So we get back to that lot and wait another 20 minutes or so only to find out that the next trolley that pulled up leaking all kinds of stuff, and the driver telling everyone that the trolley is out of commission and that the group would have to wait for the next one. Oy! So at this point we would have called it quits and cancelled this option for the day, BUT we had already prepaid online for our tickets... So we decided to spring for an uber instead. We were originally FIRST in line, but because the trolley pulled up to the stop and just parked there (blocking) broken down, everyone turned and faced the other way and now we would have been the absolute LAST loading the next trolley. (There was a huge crowd by then.) Our uber experience was much more pleasant, but there we were once again sitting in heavier traffic heading back in the direction we were originally that morning. What a day... Long story short, we get in and there are just crowds EVERYWHERE. It was so tight at times trying to walk past the individual booths, and hearing people (including multiple vendors) just hacking and sneezing away WAS NOT helping. Our family had managed to remain healthy and disease free all Winter, and we were definitely not planning on getting the flu, COVID or whatever as this seemed like a true disease spreader event. The food and drinks area were much worse, and once we got our food we ended up squeezing ourselves into a little pocket of an area and stood to drink our drinks and eat our quick meals. After perusing the entire proximity and spending a little time chatting with a few of the vendors, we took a few photos by the central Christmas tree and a little scenery (trying my best not to get any crowds into our shots), and headed our way out to the trolley. As we passed the ticket booth, we asked a young gal which direction the trolleys would be picking up and she just rudely shrugged and said she didn't know. The afternoon and evening ended up being quite long because of all the parking hassles and crowds. I don't feel it was worth our time for that day.

What a fun place to come enjoy music, arts and crafts, food, and music. The Sawdust festival does have sawdust on the floor, in case you're wondering why it's called that. So many art booths of different kinds of crafts. Hand-made cards, jewelry, pottery, paintings, so many things you have to come and experience it. They have several small stages that different people perform during the day for their enjoyment. It's a lot of fun being here. Well with the trip. Love this place.

The Sawdust Festival located in Laguna beach was a fun outdoor event. The aisles are covered in sawdust and there are many great local artist selling a variety of art pieces from paintings, ceramics, pottery, and jewelry. There was also some art/ceramic workshop events. There was a variety of food vendors in the food court as well as a live music performer. The venue was nicely decorated for the holiday season and full of people enjoying the craftsmanship.

Our first time to this fun artsy festival. If you look on their online website, you'll get the scoop on vendors, free art classes, and special free specified days. This past Sunday was free for LA residents with ID. We parked in Lot 16- $10 for the day and free trolley service to the festival. My one negative was the unorganized line to wait for the trolley. Put up simple signage of where line begins for boarding. People arrived at all times, and people who had been waiting for a while didn't always get the chance to board first. The festival was cute. Many open vendors ranging from jewelry, to ceramics, to paintings , to mixed media, to glass, and textiles. You'll find one of kind pieces. Things are quite pricey, but like I said, they are one of a kind. We didn't have time to attend their complimentary art classes, but we did witness an auction. Lots of cool photo op areas to take pics. They do have a small eating area with various food stalls, it was packed when we walked by. One small souvenir store sold festival t-shirts, stickers, etc. Fun times, gotta check out their holiday festival in November/December.

love going to art festivals and meeting the talented artists. The Sawdust Festival was very busy on the Sunday we went. Parking was really bad. It took us over half an hour to find parking and we parked quite far away. We purchased the tickets at the front. We went through the bag check and metal detectors without a hitch. It's really cute inside and I like how each stalls were decorated by the artists. I do find the prices a bit high but that was expected. We did buy a few small pieces during our visit. There were many seating areas scattered around and food options too.

This year (2025) is the 59th Annual Sawdust Art Festival (June 27th, 2025 to August 31st, 2025) and I decided to stop by this festival because I didn't want to wait until next year. Visitors can purchase local arts, attend art classes, witness live art demos, and enjoy live music, food & drinks. There's also the Annual Winter Fantasy Festival that runs on weekends from mid-November through mid-December. [Parking]: $10 paid parking at Lot 16 (1900 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach 92651) for the day but somehow I didn't end up paying a dime (no parking attendance). Limited metered parking is located in front of the festival on Frontage Road and along Laguna Canyon Road. The trolley is free from Lot 16. Visitors can also download the Laguna Beach Parking app to find available parking, but I have used it and it is not very accurate (hence bad review ratings on the App Store). [Ticket]: General Admission = $12 per person. I paid for online tickets but never received an email on QR codes. No fear - I stopped by the ticket booth and the staff said just show your proof of purchase (e.g. showing your recent credit card ticket purchase via your banking app). I did exactly just that and was able to get in. On Free City Days, free entry on select days (1st and 3rd Mondays, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, and Thursday) between 3 PM to 8 PM for select cities with valid ID - see website for details ( https://sawdustartfestival.org/shop/city-day-ticket-free-pass/ ). Veterans receive free admission any day of the festival (just present military ID in person at the Box Office). [Festival ground]: The venue was a lot smaller than I had expected despite having 180+ artists on the ground. There was the Water Wheel, the Waterfall Deck where music band was playing, the Glass Demo, and several food vendors. The main attraction is perhaps the Glass Demo (public showcase on the glass blowing demonstration). Most of arts were cool to see, but at the same time they weren't exactly budget friendly. No pets are allowed and only service animals are permitted. [Conclusion]: Is it still worth check it out as one of many summer activities in Orange County? Sure, but personally I couldn't really get myself into it. P.S. - I almost got confused with another fair called Laguna Art-A-Fair next door.

I have been a long-time fan of the Sawdust Art Festival. In 1976 I bought my wife-to-be's engagement ring at the Sawdust. I have tried to visit every year since then. I love the atmosphere, I Love the people, I Love the art, I Love to wander around and people watch. I love the food, I love the music, I Love the smells. You will find a decent parking place just be patient. The art and artists are accessible to the visitors! The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. The Sawdust is the essence of Laguna Beach! At $10 for Senior tickets it is affordable and fun!

I've been coming to the Sawdust Art Festival every summer since I was a little kid. I love it because not only does it celebrate art and creators, but it also inspires others to create. When you first walk in, you're smacked in the face with a whimsical artistic land. Here you'll find ceramics, jewelry, glass blowing, paintings, and so much more! There's something for everyone, and then some more! They have 2 stages for live music, an eating area - I got food from Evan's, all organic and delicious! They have a snack bar with ice cream, candy, popcorn and drinks. There's also multiple live streams and wishing wells throughout the entire space. The parking in front is pretty minimal, but there are several paid lots and even valet nearby. And, if you can get a spot in Lot 16, you can take the free trolley. It's fun for the whole family! I highly recommend coming and supporting local artists at the Sawdust Festival!

Attended the Benevolence Fund auction. When registered for the auction I was able to get free admission to the festival. There were many varied auction items that appealed to different people. The emcee and auctioneer did an excellent job of motivating bidders and entertaining us as well. I was fortunate enough to win the necklace by Dan Miller for the starting bid. The festival itself had many vendors, some good, some bad. It wasn't crowded for a Sunday afternoon.

Went here for the Winter Festival with the kids. Great vibe inside, like a little village with booths and a waterfall and a really magical feel to it. Ended up spending 4 hours here! Food spots are decent but the Asian fusion place is a bit on the pricey side ($96 to feed 2 adults and 2 kids). Main reason for subtracting two stars is that as we were getting ready to leave our parking spot right in front of the road, an old man aggressively banged on our car saying "I'm on the Board and I need this parking space." We had just finished changing diapers and putting our kids into their car seat. At first we thought it was just a crazy old man. But we checked the Sawdust website and recognized him as Alexander Evans aka "Dr Neon", driving a light green Prius. He was EXTREMELY rude to us, frightened our little kids, and does not reflect that kind of values that Sawdust stands for. I would highly recommend the Board consider revoking his directorship or have him seek mental health services.

I've been to the Sawdust Art Festival twice. The festival is so much fun! There are so many vendors and you can find anything from photographs, to ceramics, to jewelry, and home decor. I love tchotchkes so this place is definitely for me. There's also plenty of food vendors, and you can also buy wine and beer. Parking can be a pain. You can take a small Laguna bus and leave your car at a parking lot up the street. You may also find street parking but keep in mind that you'll have to use an app your credit card or coins to pay for up to three hours of parking.

We had lots of fun at the Sawdust Art Festival! Tons of vendors and beautiful art. We like the scenery and vibes. They had free classes as well and a glass blowing cage to look into.

I like Sawdust but then I love art and one of a kind pieces. It's a great way to spend an evening outdoors. They have live bands and it's a really fun atmosphere. I do wish they had more vendors. They do have a variety of vendors though from wall art to table art. They have really unique stuff. I love the jewelry here because I like owning pieces that people don't have. Definitely try to go if you can.

My family loves the Sawdust Festival, been going since I was a kid anytime that we could since it's a drive for us. Amazing vendors with art and crafts you may not have seen before, it's a great way to meet new artists or follow artists on the various social medias. Food is very festival esque so it's limited seating, a few bars and interesting foods to try. There aren't a lot of options and if your vegetarian or have specific food needs I'd recommend checking the menus on the website ahead of time to have a better idea of what and where you can truly enjoy a meal.

This is a nice tradition. We've been enjoying this since we moved to Orange County. If you love our music this is the place to spend a summer evening. There's about three different bands playing live music and different locations of the festival. They have pretty good food with vegan options that's about us. My wife and I came just by ourselves last night, but we've taken the kids and they love it as well. We look forward to visiting during the holidays.

I love this place so much. A great place to look at an array of art styles at a range of prices. You'll always be able to find things to cherish. . If you go during Christmas, get the mulled wine.

I've been attending the Sawdust Art Festival for many years now and have truly enjoyed each visit. The vibe, the food and drinks, the various arts, and, of course, the interaction with the artists. This year did not disappoint. The cost of admission is reasonable, the artists and all workers friendly. We enjoyed our afternoon to the fullest. Btw, it's nestled in Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Saturday, August 17, 2024: We returned to hear Beatles music on the main deck. The band was very good so the deck was very crowded! We love coming here and looking at the booths again to make some purchases and listen to these talented artists. We will return several times next year since we love it here!

It was my first come coming to the Sawdust art festival with my girlfriend and her family. It a little smaller than we thought but it was super cool! There were a lot of art activities for the kids to do like pottery and painting. There were hundreds of vendors that you can purchase from like jewelry, plates, artwork, knives, etc. There are food, drinks and music that you can hang out at as well! Don't forget to take some cute photos in front of the Christmas trees or nutcracker. I would definitely recommend taking the trolley from Irvine since parking is pretty crazy in Laguna.

I've been attending Sawdust since I was a kid! It's so much fun and all the vendors are not only so nice but have the most incredible items! I've already been a handful of times since the Winter Fantasy opened and it has been magical every single time. I got a hot white chocolate mocha that was so delicious! The tacos are great. Obviously, beer is beer everything is so festive and fun! A great way to shop small. Tons of areas for photo opportunities! Going as soon as they open is the best in terms of crowds. These photos were from opening day Friday in the AM. I went this past Sunday in the afternoon and the crowds were much... crowdier definitely hard to maneuver with a stroller! But regardless, it's a MUST ATTEND event for the holiday season!

This was our family's first time at the Sawdust Art Festival! We took advantage of the Free Days that they offer at the end of August. That alone deserves a 5 star on Yelp! The person that gave us our tickets at the booth was a little rude but that wasn't going to ruin my day, I was looking forward to this! We always pass by the building and the area, but this was my first time entering and literally seeing what this whole Sawdust Art Festival was about. It was just amazing to see all the local vendors and arts! I took my two kids and husband and they all had a great time! I called ahead to make sure that the walkways are stroller friendly, and yes, they are! There are some parts of the walkways that are concrete but it is mainly wood chips. The whole place has a clear map, booklet, and even various events for kids to enjoy. There are rows and rows of different arts and jewelry and they're all so interesting! We took our time to just go on the rows and look at some pieces of arts. It was pretty hot and crowded when we went, but no regrets! Mostly the people that we encountered were friendly and everyone was just there to have a good time. Oh, there was even live music too! Speaking of map on my last paragraphs, they have decent bathrooms, and they have areas for food and drinks! We got a blonde cold beer and iced coffee latte and snacked on some carne nachos. It was just a great experience for us and I know they have an upcoming winter event so we may have to check it out again!

I love this festival. It's always a great reason to return to Laguna Beach. Local and funky- It's loaded with local artists and meeting them is a big part of the fun craft beers and good wine by the glass is fairly priced and all the food I saw looked delicious with nothing over 20 dollars. I saw 2 stages of live music and both were entertaining. It's on a slight hill and yes there is sawdust on the ground so comfy shoes are a must. It's 12 bucks to enter but that keeps out the rif raf. Just a few more weeks so head in and enjoy the day.

Great selection of beers on tap, as well as other drinks and reasonably priced food that we didn't get to try this time around since we were meeting friends elsewhere for dinner. We enjoyed wandering around and looking at all the artwork - so many different mediums used, and also had glassblowing demonstration going on which was neat to see! We'll definitely return next year!

Terrible and rude manager at ticket counter and rude and grumpy and insulting personal at entrance . No Santa. No craft event for kids. Overly crowded. We paid $17 and turned back and drove home. I have never encountered this rude of staff at any other Christmas events anywhere in the world. Like literally cruel and rude to me and my little child.

Most astonishing art festival(craft fair) venue in the world. We've attended craft fairs in Seoul, Australia, Vegas, Los Angeles, Hawaii, night markets in China, etc. but if you love shopping and art this place will intrigue as well as blow your mind. They offered us a beach wheely with the hugest tires to easily go over the ground covered with sawdust as well as go uphill and more. The individual vendors have permanent like structures for their booths on varying tiers like you'd applaud the builder of this place. They must have juried selections because the uniqueness, caliber of items for sale and reasonable to high end price tags. There even was live music, places to eat and drink, sculptures, photographs, framed art, beautiful quilts, tote bags, pretty handcrafted hats, tops, jackets, dresses and more. I could literally spend a few hours buying 1k of gorgeous items for our home, gifts and even treat myself. They have parking for $20 and we paid for a stall in very close walking distance. They even have free trolleys in Laguna Beach and Doc pointed out all the luxury cars driving in front and next to us.

I love the Sawdust Art festival. It is the best way to celebrate the summer. I enjoy seeing all the creativity from the artists. It is also a beautiful venue to have a drink, listen to some music, and enjoy the nice scenic seating areas. This years festival was another good year.

We visited the Sawdust Art Festival's Winter Fantasy, and it was an enchanting experience that perfectly captured the holiday spirit. From the moment we entered, we were surrounded by festive decorations, the sounds of live music, and a sense of joy that truly set the tone for the holiday season. This event is a magical blend of art, creativity, and community, running from November 22nd to December 22nd. During this time, the Sawdust village transforms into a winter wonderland where art meets holiday traditions in the most inspiring way. The festival features over 180 talented local artists showcasing their unique, handcrafted pieces. Walking along the charming pathways, you're greeted with beautifully curated booths displaying everything from fine art and ceramics to handmade jewelry, glasswork, and textiles. It's the perfect place to find extraordinary gifts, each infused with the artist's passion and creativity. Every booth feels like a treasure chest, offering something special for everyone. One of the highlights of the festival is the atmosphere itself. The decorations were stunning, with twinkling lights, festive ornaments, and artistic touches at every corner. Multiple stages scattered throughout the grounds featured live performances, including talented musicians and captivating entertainers. The variety of music added a lively energy to the event, creating the perfect soundtrack for the holiday season. The food was another standout element. We enjoyed a range of local favorites that were fresh, flavorful, and comforting, perfect for the chilly winter weather. My quinoa salad was incredibly fresh and delicious, and though they had sold out of a few popular items like grilled cheese and kids' nuggets, there were plenty of other tempting options to choose from. Despite how busy it was, the food service was fast and efficient, and everything tasted like homemade comfort food. Whether you're in the mood for something savory or sweet, the variety ensures you'll leave satisfied. In addition to the incredible art and food, the festival offers so many activities and special touches that make it a perfect outing for all ages. There are free art classes where visitors can try their hand at creating their own holiday-themed crafts. Live art demonstrations give you a behind-the-scenes look at how these artists bring their creations to life. Kids and families will love the meet-and-greet opportunities with Santa Claus, as well as delightful performances by marionette puppeteers and a balloon artist known as the Balloon Diva. The community tree lighting and tree decorating events add a heartwarming sense of togetherness, celebrating the season in a meaningful way. For Laguna Beach locals, the festival is even more special because Fridays offer free admission, making it an easy and budget-friendly way to enjoy the holiday magic. And for everyone else, the experience is well worth the ticket price. The Winter Fantasy isn't just an event; it's a celebration of art, community, and the holiday spirit. Whether you're shopping for unique gifts, enjoying live music, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, the Winter Fantasy at Sawdust Art Festival is a must-visit destination during the holiday season. It's a place where holiday traditions are transformed into an art form, leaving you with memories that will last long after the season ends. We can't wait to come back and experience the magic again next year!

Attended the Sawdust Art Festival for the first time this weekend. Tickets can be purchased advanced online and are good for any day. Pros: -they were very ADA friendly! Because their grounds aren't flat, they offered to swap our wheelchair for one of those beach wheelchairs with the large wheels. It made navigating the festival a lot easier! Grateful for the security staff for letting us know about them when we were near the security checkpoint -in addition to vendors selling their items, they have food, drinks and entertainment. Cons: -none Other: -parking is a bit hit or miss. We ended up paying for parking ($20) at a nearby parking lot and it was good for the whole day. -although we didn't use it, there was a trolley that was available

Such amazingly unique art!! Things one couldn't have thought of- the festival is full of trailblazers in art!! It is set up in such a fun way, with lots of mini houses housing beautiful art. Definitely an experience I'll never forget!!

Such a good variety of artists of all kinds. Loved the amazing displays of unique creativity. There is something for everyone to look at and admire. 12 dollar entry fee was definitely a reasonable price and that's nice to see. Parking is what it is, that's just navigating Laguna. I appreciated the security measures in the front (metal detector).

This place was awesome going to on a Tuesday mid day! If you're planning on staying here all day- gauge your prices. It's $3.30 an hour if you get a meter, or $20 in the parking lots.... OR $5 and you take the shuttle!! I think overall the Sawdust festival is great. They offer free activities for the kids (just make sure they pick which one they want to do at each studio ahead of time most booths don't let you double dip). The bands were great, the fountain areas are so cute and clean, staff is extremely friendly. I just don't understand why everything is $150 or more!?! Good luck with that. Every booth person is friendly & trying to sell you, the pressure is real :)

The Sawdust Festival had a lot of positives, and I am glad I checked it out. Having said that I wouldn't go back. It's crowded, the food and drink is very limited and very expensive, they do not have water bottle filling stations, and there is little shade. There are some really wonderful artists, but it's very homogeneous and things for sale are pretty expensive overall. I did love that they had real printed tickets and guides, not just something on your phone. I also liked the pond/waterfall areas a lot. I was extremely disappointed in the way they did the Studio One art classes. They did not have a signup sheet or a line, so people staked out the chairs way in advance and saved multiple seats. I did not get to do any Studio One classes at all because of that. Considering I'd mostly come to Sawdust to experience the classes, it was a real letdown and really negatively influenced my opinion of the festival overall. Also, the Studio One setup is only very high stools, which are not accessible for anyone using a wheelchair or mobility device lower to the ground or people with balance/mobility issues. There were other access issues I noticed around the site, too: you could get to every level without stairs, but the inclines could be steep and the pathways were sometimes uneven, without railings. The entire area had wood chips on the ground so I don't know if every sort of wheelchair or mobility device could have handled it. I also noticed that a number of the booths had flights of steps, so someone who could not navigate steps would not have been able to see everything in those booths. In contrast, the Art Spot and Ceramics were delightful with friendly staff. Both of them had several low tables/chairs and there was a fully accessible ramp into the Art Spot. I appreciated that they allowed all ages including to participate in making cute little clay animals and such! Thank you to both of these stations for salvaging the day and making it fun after all.

This festival has become an annual get together with a good friend and we always enjoy an afternoon spent perusing the art and meeting the artists. Both the summer and winter festivals offer a great selection of art from the easily accessible (affordable) to one of a kind works on a grander scale. There's something interesting to see everywhere you look, along with mini art classes and projects for kids (and kids at heart), live music, and a good selection of food items. I always use the free laguna trolley to get to and from the festival from nearby parking lots and it makes the entire experience much more enjoyable.

The Sawdust Art Festival was our accidental date night over the weekend. My husband and I intended to go down to the beach that afternoon to watch the sunset. We decided to park in Lot 16 for free and took the trolley. What we didn't know that the trolley only stopped at the Sawdust Art Festival this time of year. It wasn't an issue since we didn't have firm plans and decided to walk around. Also, luckily for us, as South OC residents (with valid ID), we got in for free after 3 pm. Otherwise, adult admission is $10 per person. You can get discounted admission through various means like AAA. We walked in and saw that it was decked out for the holidays. There were two live music stages. There are places where you can order food and drinks. The art festival is a village of booths where local artists sell their creations. This includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, bags, jewelry, glass bowls, etc. It's an interesting place where you can go gawk at different pieces and contemplate if you want to spend your money. It's a cute place to bring a date and one of those neat things you can do in South OC.

I love the sawdust, I go every summer. I just went during the Spring Fling and what an experience! I also just learned they have year round art classes and I signed up for glass blowing. I am so excited!

This was the best crafts festival I've ever attended. Now, it's very hard to say where "crafts" ends and "art" begins, because so many of the pieces I saw were next-level. And there were some fine artists there too selling paintings. And the painters had some stellar work. My wife and I spent a full day there, talking to the artists and craftspeople (they are amazingly creative people and easy to speak with), and of course we brought home some wonderful pieces we bought. There were several stages where different musical acts switched up every half an hour, and we enjoyed some of the sets. The day we were there, they ranged from Irish music to a soul group that featured a steel drum (but still did an incredible job with Shakira's "Try Everything" and Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl"). The artists exhibiting at the Sawdust Festival are all from Laguna, so I suppose that if you went every year you might tire of seeing the same artists. The same organization holds something called Winterfest in winter at the same location, and I hear they invite some non-Laguna artists and craftspeople. We plan on going just to check it out. By the way, during summer, when the Sawdust Festival is going on, there are 2 other art shows happening at the same time, all within about a 7-minute walk of the Sawdust Festival. They sold fine art, with the Festival Art Show being the better of those two shows. We were lucky perhaps, but we found parking both days we went to these shows right in the middle of the action. If you enjoy the artsm and crafts too, this is a not-to-be missed event. You'll be there 4 hours (or more) and not know where the time went.

My friend and I just attended the Sawdust Festival. The last time we both were there was 50 years ago when we were in high school. It's quite different from back in 1970. It's a lot bigger, definitely over booths, well laid out and pretty with the trees. It took about 3 hours to go through it all. They have a nice area to eat and drink. I was happy finding a beautiful vase that was reasonably priced. We parked on the main road laguna canyon, 133 in lot 16. You can search parking lots online. They also have a trolly if you park too far away. We had lunch first at The Cliff Restaurant then drove the festival, worked out perfect.

We went for the holiday / winter festival. The decorations are on point. I took my daughter there to take a look at the art and the decorations since we were in the area. It costs money for admission $12 for adults, $5 for children. There wasn't a wait for tickets but I had already paid online. The Christmas trees and garlands were all so festive for the season. My daughter ended up getting a print from the 3D painter artist named Joseph. I got a couple of small prints for gifts from Durden Art. You'll get through the place in an hour or so if you're not looking at everything. Overall we enjoyed it.

Great festival of art! I love this place so much! The art is so fascinating and the artists treat you like a friend or family. I came here with my friend and we had such a great time eating the food, chatting up the artists, listening to music, drinking wine, and buying art! The security team doesn't harass you like they do at Art Affair...Which by the way, I can see why everyone goes to the Sawdust and skips the next door Art Affair.

We usually come here twice a year... Sawdust and Winter. This year, there were so many vendors who did not even acknowledge us when we were at their stand. It was not crowded, they just were not interested apparently. We figured no one wanted our money this Summer, and with that said, everything was SO expensive. My only purchase this Summer was some taquitos, and they were amazing.

Such creativity! Never a dull moment at Sawdust. Everywhere you turn there is something interesting to see. My favorite was the sterling silver jewelry - ear cuffs. There were also necklaces inspired by music. The motif was organic and fluid. My second favorite was the animal photography. Absolutely stunning!!! Picture perfect moments were captured by the photographer. I always enjoy the blown glass demonstration. There was a village in the center of Sawdust with decorated xmas trees and Santa onsite.

This is the last weekend until the summer Sawdust Festival. The Winter Sawdust has many different artists from the summer event.

Sawdust Festival is a great place to wander around and look at creative art, have a beer or a glass of wine, have a great lunch or dinner, and listen to some great music. They have (3) music stages that have different musicians on them at regular intervals, but mostly not overlapping. You can move from one to the other without issue - great fun. Art is in the eye of the beholder, and some of the art at the Sawdust Festival is not my taste. But some of it is, and we have a number of great items that we have purchased over the past years. Come for the music and the food, stay for the art. Go home with a smile on your face, and maybe a few purchased treasures too.

Sawdust is a very cute art festival just outside of downtown Laguna. They have a lot of cool vendors who are selling beautiful and unique art. We went during a day that was free entry to LA county residents which I would definitely recommend. They hold some free art classes throughout the day. Our favorite is the ceramics one where you can throw a bowl or dish on a wheel. If you want to do this one you have to get there early to sign up for a slot. They have some food drinks. The drinks are pretty good but the food is okay and a little overpriced for what it is. After exploring we like to walk to downtown Laguna and explore the shops and restaurants.

Quite a cool place to visit at just $10 per adult. Think of an art fair with booths for each artists. Food - there's food, not a lot but some things are Greek food, wine and beer, ice cream, popcorn, Mexican food, and a few more items. A good place to go to for sure. They also offer season and annual passes.

This is the perfect summer attraction for artists, artisans, couples, friends, and families with small children. A delight for the senses offering many things to do from people watching to interacting with artisans. Always a pleasure to stay in touch with one's favorite artists. I've enjoyed attending this venerated attraction since 1993. Over the decades, my family and I have purchased and enjoyed artworks from such vendors as The Butterfly Man, Cheryl Smith, Jesse Bartels, and Tracey Moscaritolo. Times have changed this venue much over these decades. This review reflects my visit last summer...... PROs: * Clean facilities * Plenty of toilets * Efficient staffing * Pleasant fragrance * Communal atmosphere * Safe and secure CONs: * Severe lack of parking * Overcrowded * Pricey admission * Young staff is unfriendly * Minimal shade makes it feel hotter * Insufficient seating and dining tables * Theme park quality food and prices * Exhibition is limited to Laguna artists only * Lack of variety and talent * Areas of empty space * Fewer vendors Overall, I saw everything TWICE in less than thirty minutes after hiking from the nearest lot. There was noticeably less to see this visit; even the glass blower was absent. An attempt to stay longer was made by ordering food, but failed upon finding long queues and nowhere to sit. It was simply too hot to stay. There isn't much variety if the talent pool is limited to Laguna residents - some of our favorite vendors are no longer invited to exhibit, as they are not Laguna residents. There is a palpable difference between the artists here and those down in the village. I would really love to visit again, especially for the sake of nostalgia, but this last visit was impressionable. What was once a very serious event for artists now looks like a blatant grab for tourist dollars.

I love a good festive event especially this time of year. And Sawdust Art Festival during the months of Nov-Dec is as festive as can be. Puts you into such a warm, joyful holiday spirit. Only open Fri-Sun. I would like to especially thank the city of Laguna Beach for providing FREE trolley rides to and from the festival grounds. Park at Lot 16, super convenient and the trolleys run continuously. Trolleys were decked out in garland and wreaths. There are a few other free lots to park at because Lot 16 isn't big and I can imagine the lot being full during peak time periods. My family and I were here on Friday, November 24 around noon and we probably got one of the last 15 spots available. Adult admission is $10 and seniors $7. We spent about an hour walking around checking out the decor, taking pictures/videos and browsing the many different local booths selling their handmade goods. Most booths sold paintings/framed photography. Kids can visit Santa, play in the adorable gingerbread house (cute photo op for adults too) and there's even a marionette show for kids young & old at heart. Not too many food choices but there are a few casual restaurants located outside of Sawdust. Typical burgers, hotdogs and chicken tenders sort of thing inside Sawdust. This isn't an all day festival but it's a good stop for your day at Laguna Beach. I can imagine coming here at night is even prettier as there's 'snowfall' and everything is all lit up.

Super cute and fun place to stroll by. We parked by lot 16 and there is free trolley service to the festival! My favorite part was petting the animals! All were so cute and there was a good amount of time for each group. There are many jewelry vendors and cute pop up shops as well as art. Many nice and enthusiastic people! Bathrooms are clean which is a plus- the foods is also around the $10-15 range. I highly recommend coming here with family and friends! $10 entry per person!