Approaching its sixtieth year — the Sawdust Art Festival’s holiday edition turns the canyon grounds into a handcrafted gift village, with artisan booths, carolers, puppet shows, a petting zoo, and twinkling pine-lined pathways every weekend through December.
Each November and December, the Sawdust Art Festival grounds at 935 Laguna Canyon Road run their Winter Fantasy holiday edition — a transformation of the same eucalyptus-and-pine grounds Laguna’s art community uses all summer into a handcrafted gift village. The festival is approaching its 60th year and is one of the most genuinely artist-driven holiday markets in Southern California.
The village is a walk-through grid of artist booths with original ceramics, glasswork, jewelry, textiles, painting, and woodwork — every piece made by the artist on-site. Carolers move between booths, puppet shows entertain the kids, a petting zoo runs through the grounds, and the canyon evening light filters through the trees for an effect no shopping mall can replicate. Live music threads through the day.
The Winter Fantasy runs weekends (Friday–Sunday) from mid-November through late December. It’s ticketed and the ticket gets you a full day on the grounds. It’s one of the most distinctively Laguna Beach holiday experiences and pairs naturally with a Hospitality Night evening in the village for a full Laguna Beach weekend.
On the Sawdust Art Festival grounds at 935 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach — the same site used for the summer Sawdust Festival, transformed for the holidays.
Weekends only (Friday through Sunday) from mid-November through late December. Check the official Sawdust page for the current year’s exact weekend dates and hours.
Yes — the ticket covers full-day access on the grounds. Children’s pricing is separate; buy in advance for weekends to skip the box-office line.
Yes — that’s the whole point. The artists are local, the booths are juried, and the work is original. Many of the same artists return year after year, and the grounds reward repeat visits.
Santa visits are a typical feature throughout the festival’s weekend hours, alongside the puppet shows and the petting zoo. Check the current year’s calendar for specific Santa hours.
The Sawdust Art Festival grounds at 935 Laguna Canyon Road occupy three acres in Laguna Canyon — about a half-mile inland from the village. The grounds are owned and operated by Sawdust Art Enterprises, a nonprofit founded by Laguna’s artist community, and have hosted Laguna’s signature juried summer art festival since 1965. The eucalyptus-shaded grounds and the artisans’ booth village share their setup with the neighboring Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters venues directly across the canyon road.
Laguna Beach’s signature holiday kickoff — Santa arrives at the Peppertree Lot in the evening for the tree lighting, merchants stay open late along Forest Avenue, and the whole village comes alive for one of the most genuinely festive evenings in OC.
Brian J. Cook
Aliso Viejo Ice Palace runs daily holiday public skating sessions through December — themed sessions, the annual A Holiday Celebration on Ice skating show, and a warm covered-rink atmosphere a short drive from Aliso Viejo Town Center.
Brian J. Cook
Aliso Viejo’s annual tree-lighting celebration at Town Center features Santa, train rides, music, crafts, and a community toy drive — free for the whole family. Confirm this season’s date and details at avcity.org.
Brian J. Cook
The City of Laguna Niguel’s official holiday lights decorating contest with a citywide public map of winners — a free drive-around route through Marina Hills, Niguel Hills, and the master-planned communities each December.
Brian J. Cook
Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.
Check Availability
Have a date in mind? Tell us when and where, and we’ll let you know whether Santa is open. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded Santa Claus to Live Visits and Group Experiences across Southern California, and December fills quickly, so the sooner you check, the better your odds of locking in your first choice.
This is a quick availability check, not a booking. Nothing is reserved and nothing is owed until we’ve confirmed your date and you’ve placed your retainer.
