I have gone to the art show every year for over 41 years. Great local artist, craftsman and music while you walk. Demo and great food available. If you want to seek the Pageant of the Masters, get tickets early in the year, for best seating, your ticket will include admission to the festival grounds. The Pageant brings art to life people create famous works of art ending in the recreation of the last supper. If you want to go last minute, check at the box office they always have a few cancelation tickets. Bring a jacket, while it is California Summer, it does get cold in the bowl when you are watching the show, You can always buy a Pageant Hoodie. Before the show also visit the Sawdust Festival, Some people will also enjoy the Art a Fair or just a walk through Laguna, Parking is available in lots for a fee. The city also has a free shuttle.
Summer is not complete without an evening at Pageant of the Masters! It is always an enjoyable experience and since the theme changes yearly, it is always new and different. Don't forget your binoculars.
This is such a unique and well done "show"! It is truly amazing how they pull off such perfectly matched renditions of classic paintings and sculptures with live people. You'll be amazed and impressed. The best part is the one painting they "pull apart" so you can see what goes into putting together these masterpieces. The Irvine Bowl is a gorgeous setting, under the stars! A Laguna treat!
Love the art, and live music and of course the pageant is always interesting. Bring a blanket it can cool off at night in Laguna.
I always try to explain the Pageant to my friends and can't quite describe the experience. The art and the actors are the best at what they do.
it is hard to describe how a bunch of people make an old master painting appear out of nowhere. it is definitely a must see if you can get tickets and find a place to park!
Art to life, indescribable coolest experience! Before show enjoy the local art stalls just outside the stage. mingle, never know who you will run into:)
Every year we go we are still amazed at the uniqueness of this event. Everyone should go at least once.
Pageant of the Masters is truly one of the most unique shows in the world. It takes a number of famous paintings and recreates them using real people, makeup, costumes, and the crucial props and lighting. In each show, they do take one painting and show you the behind the scenes, how they create the paintings. There is a different theme each year, with this year being The Art Detective. The setting itself is magnificent, tucked into the Laguna Canyon, with the cool night air. Sweaters are a must, even in summer, and binoculars are also important so you can see the all important details. Parking is a bit of a challenge, you can either pay to park in a nearby lot and take the shuttle in, or you can catch the Beach Trolley from various spots in Laguna Beach. Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time for parking/transport! After the show, be sure to walk around and admire the amazing art in the outdoor venue - sometimes you are able to meet the artists. We live in New Zealand now, but always try to time our trips so that we can go to the Pageant of the Masters!
The Pageant is so unique, visually amazing and incredibly well done. A great evening in a beautiful open air venue during a warm summer night. . I would suggest you sit as close as you as you comfortably can, as we had to use binoculars from where we were sitting to get the real impact of the show. They rent them there. So, the long and the short of it, go to miss out.