LAGUNA BEACH, CA – The Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters has been named one of the Top 10 Best Art Festivals in the United States in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, earning the No. 6 ranking nationwide. Selected by a panel of industry experts and editors and voted on by the public, this recognition further solidifies the Festival’s reputation as one of the country’s premier summer art experiences.
“It’s an honor to be recognized on a national stage by USA TODAY readers,” said Sharbie Higuchi, PR, Marketing and Merchandising Director. “What makes this distinction so meaningful is that it reflects the experience we create each summer, where world-class art, live performance, and community come together in a way you won’t find anywhere else.”
As one of the nation’s longest-running juried fine art shows, the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach has showcased exceptional artistic talent for over 90 years. Set within a vibrant open-air gallery, the Festival features the work of more than 100 award-winning Orange County artists across a wide range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics, and photography. Visitors can experience award-winning artwork, meet the artists, enjoy live music on select days, and explore art demonstrations throughout the season.
By night, the Festival transforms with the world-renowned Pageant of the Masters, a one-of-a-kind theatrical production where iconic works of art are re-created live on stage using real people, elaborate sets, and remarkable visual illusions to create “living pictures.” An experience unique to Laguna Beach and unlike any other in the world, the 2026 production, The Greatest of All Time, will celebrate history’s most iconic artists and masterpieces, exploring what it truly means to be considered the “greatest” in the art world.
The 2026 Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and Pageant of the Masters will take place July 7 through September 4, 2026, in Laguna Beach, California. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.foapom.com or call (800) 487-3378. To stay up to date on all things Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters, follow @FestivalPageant on social media. To support the Festival of Arts and its cultural programs, visit www.foapom.com/supportnow
ABOUT FESTIVAL OF ARTS
The Festival of Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and a longstanding cultural leader in Laguna Beach, dedicated to supporting the arts and enriching the community. Established in 1932, the Festival’s mission is to promote, produce, and sponsor events and programs that encourage the appreciation, study, and performance of the arts. Each year, the Festival of Arts produces two world-class events—the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the Pageant of the Masters—which together attract nearly 200,000 visitors annually to Laguna Beach. For general information visit www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org or call (949) 494-1145.
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