Summer Art Affairs in Anaheim

ACE

Summertime in Orange County offers more than beautiful beaches, ocean adventures and a happening nightlife. It’s a time when the art scene really comes alive and its cities feature an array of exhibitions, performances and pop-up events. Check out our “hot list” below to plan your summer itinerary.

Music in the Park

Summer days and evenings in California serve up the ideal venue for live music shows, and cities throughout the county offer a series of concerts in the park and other popular landmarks, featuring an array of tunes from rock to reggae. Pack a picnic and a lawn chair and dance the season away. Visit orangecounty.net/html/events_concerts for listings by city.

ACE

On Aug. 18, Anaheim hosts the 17th annual Art Crawl Experience (ACE). Stroll along the promenade, popping into galleries (permanent and pop-up), admiring street art, and watching as local artisans practice their craft right on the pavement. An indie craft fair, held under the canopies, features handcrafted treasures to take home. Also hear live music and dive into gourmet food trucks. Anaheim | downtownanaheim.com/artcrawlexperience

Bowers Museum

Through Nov. 29, the Adams, Curtis and Weston: Photographers of the American West exhibition celebrates the career of three renowned American photographers of the 20th century. Through their lenses and through time, the show explains the changing landscape of the west and the art of the craft. Irvine | bowers.org

Sawdust Art Festival

Laguna Beach is the hub of the art scene over the summer, hosting a trio of art festivals in addition to theater performances, monthly art walks and live music shows. Sawdust returns June 26 and showcases goods from local craftsmen — from painting and photography to jewelry and glass blowing — through Aug. 30. Laguna Beach | sawdustartfestival.org

Pageant of the Masters | Festival of Arts

Pageant of the Masters

Art comes to life July 8–Aug. 31, as the theme, “The Pursuit of Happiness” unfolds on the Pageant stage. This year’s performance explores both ancient and modern paths to happiness. Running concurrently is Festival of Arts, an 80-year show that displays the work of more than 140 esteemed Orange County artists. Laguna Beach | foapom.com

Laguna Art Museum


This Laguna Beach landmark hosts Laguna College of Art + Design’s graduate MFA in Painting and Drawing exhibition through July 12. See the representational works from emerging young artists as they introduce their collections to a broader for the first time. Free admission. Laguna Beach | lagunaartmuseum.org

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Dancing with the Stars Live: The Perfect Ten comes to the stage July 15. Hosted by Dancing with the Stars All-Stars champion Melissa Rycroft, the performance features other known cast members in a series of new choreographed dances. On July 20, pitch up for a free showing of Pitch Perfect, a modern-day musical that follows the hit film. Costa Mesa | scfta.org

Huntington Beach Art Walk

Huntington Beach Art Walk

Held the third Thursday of each month through October, this fun-filled event features the work of established, emerging and student artists. It’s the perfect place to bring the entire family for a dose of art and culture — admission is free. Huntington Beach | hbdowntown.com

Downtown Santa Ana

The art and music scene in downtown continues to grow, inviting visitors to gallery exhibitions, art walks and live music shows. The agenda changes daily, so tune in when you’re ready to find out what’s happening. Santa Ana | downtown-santaana.com

Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)

Young Chinese artists — late thirties and younger — invite you to explore the work of their generation in My Generation, open June 27–Oct. 11. This group of talented and tech savvy creatives express feelings about their homeland through various mediums of art. Newport Beach | ocma.net