Laguna Beach Hosts 28th Annual Plein Air Invitational
News related to:Laguna Plein Air Painters Association · 2 min read
LAGUNA BEACH, CA, UNITED STATES, October 2, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Laguna Beach is set to host 30 renowned master painters for its 28th Annual Plein Air Invitational, running from October 3 to 11, 2026. The event, which has been a cornerstone of the city's cultural calendar, will see artists paint directly from nature, capturing the ever-changing light and landscape of Laguna Beach.
This year, the Invitational will feature a 2-hour Quick Draw painting competition on Sunday, October 4, at Heisler Park. The public is invited to watch as artists race against the clock to complete their original works. The completed paintings will then be transported to the Festival of Arts grounds, where visitors can meet the artists and bid on their creations during a silent auction.
The highlight of the event will be the Collectors Art Party, scheduled for Saturday, October 10. This ticketed event, which will take place at the Festival of Arts grounds, will offer attendees the opportunity to view and purchase more than 250 original paintings. The party will begin at 6 p.m. and will include hors d'oeuvres and sweet bites by Chef Lindsay of Nirvana, as well as a creative craft mocktail bar. Tickets cost $250, with a $225 discount for LPAPA members. Online sales will close at 10 a.m. on October 9.
The Invitational will conclude with the Laguna Plein Air Art Festival on Sunday, October 11, at the Festival of Arts grounds. This free event will feature a public exhibition and sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., allowing visitors to explore original works, including fresh paintings added on Sunday morning. The festival will also host the "Sunday Best" small works award ceremony, which will begin at 11 a.m.
In addition to the main events, the Invitational will include a free "Just Plein Happy Nocturne Paint-Out" on Tuesday, October 6, starting around 5 p.m. Downtown Laguna Beach will also host Plein Talk at the Laguna Art Museum on Wednesday, October 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This event will bring together artists, collectors, and art experts to discuss the future of plein air painting. Tickets for the panel discussion are available through the museum.
Despite the rescheduling of Coast Film & Music Foundation’s Concerts in the Canyon to 2027 and an unexpected change to beverage service at the Festival of Arts grounds, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) remains undeterred.