July is one of the best months to experience Orange County. Long coastal evenings, outdoor concerts, celebrated art festivals, family movie nights, and the return of the OC Fair create nearly endless ways to enjoy summer throughout the region.
This guide highlights the best July 2026 events in Central and Southern Orange County, with activities in Costa Mesa, Tustin, Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, and San Clemente.
Whether you are planning a relaxed evening near the coast, an arts-focused weekend, or a family outing under the stars, these events offer a compelling look at the lifestyle that makes Orange County such an exceptional place to call home.
The Best Things to Do in Orange County in July 2026
Orange County’s July calendar combines major regional attractions with free community events. Therefore, residents and visitors can move easily between world-renowned arts programming, neighborhood concert series, outdoor movies, coastal recreation, and classic summer traditions.
From the Pageant of the Masters and OC Fair to free concerts beside the ocean, July 2026 offers something for nearly every age, interest, and summer itinerary.
Event schedules can change. Before attending, confirm current admission requirements, parking information, and performance times through the official event website.
July 2026 Orange County Events at a Glance
| Dates | Event and Location | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| July 7–September 3 | Festival of Arts Fine Art Show Laguna Beach |
An open-air exhibition featuring original work by more than 100 juried Orange County artists. |
| July 9–September 4 | Pageant of the Masters Laguna Beach |
Nightly living-picture performances recreating renowned works of art with elaborate sets and live narration. |
| Through September 6 | Sawdust Art Festival Laguna Beach |
Local art, craft demonstrations, live entertainment, classes, dining, and shopping in Laguna Canyon. |
| July 9, 16, 23 and 30 | Summer Beach Concert Series San Clemente |
Free Thursday evening performances at Linda Lane and near the San Clemente Pier. |
| July 12, 19 and 26 | Concerts in the Park Dana Point |
Two bands each Sunday, plus food trucks and refreshments at Sea Terrace Park. |
| July 14, 21 and 28 | Costa Mesa Concerts in the Park Costa Mesa |
Free live music, food trucks, children’s activities, and a beer and wine garden at Fairview Park. |
| July 15 | San Juan Summer Nites San Juan Capistrano |
A free community concert with live music, local vendors, and children’s activities in the historic downtown district. |
| July 17–August 16 | 2026 OC Fair Costa Mesa |
Fair food, carnival rides, animals, competitions, live entertainment, shopping, and family attractions. |
| July 17, 18 and 24 | Irvine Summer in the City Irvine |
Outdoor movies and free live music at Hicks Canyon Community Park and Mike Ward Community Park. |
| July 19 | Concert on the Green Newport Beach |
A free country-music performance by Redneck Rodeo at the Newport Beach Civic Center Green. |
| July 19 and 26 | Music in the Park Laguna Beach |
Free outdoor performances featuring Prince Again and Lola Kristine at Bluebird Park. |
| Wednesdays through July 29 | Tustin Concerts in the Park Tustin |
Weekly free performances from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Peppertree Park. |
Several events overlap, especially on weekends. Consequently, advance planning can make it easier to combine an afternoon art festival, waterfront dinner, and evening performance into one memorable Orange County day.
Experience Laguna Beach’s Celebrated Summer Art Season
Festival of Arts Fine Art Show
The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show returns from July 7 through September 3, 2026. The open-air gallery brings together more than 100 juried Orange County artists working in painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewelry, and other mediums.
Visitors can browse and purchase work directly from participating artists. In addition, the festival grounds host live music, art demonstrations, tours, workshops, family programming, and special cultural events throughout the season.
Pageant of the Masters: The Greatest of All Time
One of Orange County’s most distinctive cultural traditions begins July 9. The 2026 Pageant of the Masters, titled The Greatest of All Time, transforms famous artworks into remarkably detailed live stage compositions.
Real people pose within elaborate sets to recreate paintings, sculptures, and other masterpieces. Each nightly production begins at 8:30 p.m. and combines live narration, orchestral music, theatrical lighting, and carefully constructed scenery.
Sawdust Art Festival
Nearby, the Sawdust Art Festival continues daily through September 6. Its shaded Laguna Canyon grounds offer a more informal arts experience, with artist booths, demonstrations, classes, live entertainment, and casual dining.
Because the three major Laguna Beach art experiences are located within the same general area, visitors can create a full arts-focused itinerary. However, summer traffic and limited parking make the city’s seasonal trolley service and designated parking areas worth considering.
Enjoy Free Outdoor Music From Costa Mesa to San Clemente
Outdoor concert series are a defining feature of summer in Orange County. Many are free, family-friendly, and located within community parks or near the coast.
- Costa Mesa Concerts in the Park: Fairview Park hosts Sega Genecide on July 14, Tijuana Dogs on July 21, and Common Sense on July 28. Pre-show activities begin at 5:00 p.m.
- Tustin Concerts in the Park: The weekly series continues at Peppertree Park every Wednesday evening through July 29.
- Newport Beach Concert on the Green: Redneck Rodeo performs country favorites at the Civic Center Green on July 19 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
- Laguna Beach Music in the Park: Prince Again performs July 19, followed by soulful vocalist Lola Kristine on July 26.
- Dana Point Concerts in the Park: Sea Terrace Park hosts two bands each Sunday on July 12, 19, and 26, with performances running from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m.
- San Juan Summer Nites: The Big Rock Show performs July 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Historic Town Center Park.
- San Clemente Summer Beach Concert Series: Free Thursday concerts take place July 9, 16, 23, and 30 at Linda Lane or near the pier.
Most outdoor venues permit blankets and low-back chairs. Some also offer food trucks, concessions, or designated beverage areas. Review each event’s rules before bringing outside food, alcohol, pets, or large seating equipment.
Make Time for the 2026 OC Fair
The OC Fair opens July 17 and continues through August 16 at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. The 2026 theme, Your Adventure Awaits, reflects the fair’s broad combination of food, agriculture, entertainment, competitions, rides, shopping, and interactive attractions.
For families, the fair offers farm animals, youth exhibits, carnival games, and hands-on activities. Meanwhile, adults can explore culinary offerings, artisan vendors, live performances, and ticketed entertainment at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar, and Action Sports Arena.
Admission is capacity-controlled, so purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Parking can also fill quickly, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Plan a Family Movie or Concert Night in Irvine
Irvine’s Summer in the City programming offers several free events in July. On July 17, families can watch A Minecraft Movie outdoors at Hicks Canyon Community Park. Then, on July 18, the band Jukebox performs Top 40 music at Mike Ward Community Park in Woodbridge.
The outdoor movie series continues July 24 with the 2025 version of How to Train Your Dragon. Food trucks arrive before the movies, while screenings begin after sunset. Guests should bring blankets or low-back chairs and consider layered clothing for cooler evening temperatures.
Art enthusiasts can also visit the 42nd Irvine Annual Juried Exhibition, opening July 11 at the Irvine Fine Arts Center and continuing into September.
Build a Coastal Orange County Weekend
The concentration of July events makes it possible to create a full coastal weekend without traveling far. For example, begin with an afternoon at the Sawdust Art Festival, enjoy dinner in Laguna Beach, and finish with the Pageant of the Masters. Alternatively, pair a Dana Point concert with a harbor walk, or combine a San Clemente beach day with an evening concert near the pier.
These experiences also reveal why homes in Central and Southern Orange County remain so appealing. Residents have convenient access to beaches, cultural institutions, parks, dining, entertainment, and community programming throughout the year.
Tips for Attending Orange County Summer Events
Arrive early for popular free concerts because seating and nearby parking are generally available on a first-come, first-served basis. For ticketed events, purchase admission directly through the official organizer and review any restrictions on bags, outside food, seating, and reentry.
Coastal temperatures can fall quickly after sunset. Therefore, bring a light layer even on warm days. Also, consider public transportation, community trolley service, rideshare options, or carpooling when visiting Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, or other high-traffic coastal areas.
Experience the Orange County Lifestyle
From fine art and live theater to neighborhood concerts and waterfront recreation, July demonstrates the range of experiences available across Orange County. These events are more than seasonal entertainment. They are part of the connected, outdoor-oriented lifestyle that continues to attract buyers to the region.
If you are considering buying, selling, or investing in Central or Southern Orange County, Surterre Properties can help you understand the communities, neighborhoods, and market opportunities behind this distinctive coastal lifestyle.
→ Connect with a local Surterre Properties real estate specialist at surterreproperties.com
About the Author
Kristine Everly is a Huntington Harbour specialist, president of Surterre Properties, and longtime Trinidad Island resident with deep personal roots in Orange County. Having raised her children in the Harbour, she understands the region’s neighborhoods, waterways, schools, traditions, amenities, and market nuances from a resident’s perspective. After years helping lead Surterre from an executive, operational, strategy, and marketing perspective, Kristine now brings that experience directly to clients, combining luxury brokerage expertise, commercial real estate discipline, and extensive local knowledge.
