Sawdust Winter Fantasy

What Winter Fantasy is

Sawdust Winter Fantasy is a holiday art festival on the Sawdust grounds at 935 Laguna Canyon Road, the same canyon site as the summer Sawdust Art Festival. Artists sell handmade work from booths along wood-chip paths, and Sawdust describes the visit as browsing, taking a class, talking to the artists and watching live demonstrations. Entertainment plays every day of the festival on three stages.

Sawdust says it established Winter Fantasy in 1991. Unlike the summer show, which is limited to full-time Laguna Beach residents, the winter show accepts artists from outside Laguna, according to Sawdust’s artist page.

2026 dates and hours

The 2026 festival runs November 20 to December 20, 2026, over five three-day weekends. The gates are open Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sawdust says it is open rain or shine.

Hospitality Night, the city’s downtown block party on the first Friday each December, is set for Friday, December 4, 2026, during the Winter Fantasy run. See the Hospitality Night page. For the season in full, see holiday events in Laguna Beach.

Tickets and discounts

You can buy tickets online ahead of time or at the ticket booth when you arrive. As of October 2026, Sawdust’s ticket store lists a 2026 single-day ticket at $5.50 to $12.50, depending on the ticket, and a 2026 Winter Pass at $35.50.

Sawdust’s plan-your-visit page also lists:

• A group rate for parties of ten or more.
• Free entry for veterans on any day of the festival, with military ID at the box office.

Parking and the trolley

Sawdust points visitors to Lot 16 at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road, where parking is $5 a day. A free trolley runs from Lot 16 between downtown and the festival from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. while the show is open, Friday to Sunday. A limited number of meters sit on Frontage Road and Laguna Canyon Road in front of the festival, and they take credit cards only. Lots 10 and 11 at 635 Laguna Canyon Road are a short walk away.

The city’s off-season Canyon Route also uses Lot 16: park for $5 and ride a free trolley downtown on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through June 25, 2027. The city says Lot 16 is closed to the public Monday to Friday. The parking guide and the getting around guide explain lots, permits and routes.

Rules and access

• No pets. Service dogs under the ADA are allowed on a leash or harness, and a supervisor must approve them before entry.
• No smoking or vaping.
• Bags are subject to inspection.
• Ask before you photograph an artist’s work.
• Wear shoes and a shirt.
• The grounds have wood chips, slopes and elevation changes. Two beach-style wheelchairs can be reserved by calling the information booth at 949-494-3030. Sawdust says strollers can be tricky on the paths, and it has no stroller parking.

Around the festival

The First Thursdays Art Walk is held on the first Thursday of every month. The Art Walk page explains it. The November and December guides cover weather, sunset times and the rest of the month. If you plan to stay overnight, see the Stay section.