STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
October 14, 2025
CONSENT
12 SUBJECT: 2026 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE FOR ARTS COMMISSION PROGRAMS RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve the 2026 performance schedule for City funded performances;
2. Approve the use of amplified sound during the performances;
3. Authorize the City Manager to approve any revisions to the location or dates of the performances, if required, and execute any ancillary agreements regarding such performances as determined necessary and in a final form approved by the City Attorney; and
4. Find that the recommended action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Class 11 (Accessory Structures) and Class 23 (Normal Operations of Facilities for Public Gatherings) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15311 and 15323.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
The Arts Commission is recommending that the City Council approve the 2026 schedule for City funded performances that include Sunset Serenades and Music in the Park, reflecting the same number of concerts presented in 2025. In addition, the Arts Commission is also proposing a performance by Circus Bella on June 6, 2026, at Bluebird Park. The Arts Commission will continue to present live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening at the Promenade on Forest April through December, with the schedule subject to change to accommodate anticipated construction in the area. All concerts will be amplified, open to the public, and free of charge. The Arts Commission also requests authorization for the City Manager to adjust performance dates or locations and execute related agreements.
DISCUSSION
Background:
The Arts Commission annually presents a series of free, City-funded public performances as part of its cultural programming. In 2026, the Commission proposes to maintain the same number of performances as the previous year, including Sunset Serenades (Spring and Fall), Music in the Park, and the Promenade on Forest live music series. Additionally, the 2026 schedule includes a one-day performance by Circus Bella at Bluebird Park, scheduled for June 6, 2026.
Performance Schedule:
The tentative 2026 schedule, including locations and times, is provided below.
Event Location Dates Time
Sunset Serenades (Spring) Heisler Park May 8, 15, 22, and 29 June 5, 12, and 19, 2026 6:30 p.m.
Circus Bella Bluebird Park June 6, 2026
(depending on availability) 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Music in the Park Bluebird Park July 5, 12, 19, and 26
August 2, 9, and 16, 2026 5 – 7 p.m.
2026 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE FOR ARTS COMMISSION PROGRAMS
October 14, 2025
Sunset Serenades (Fall) Heisler Park September 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2026 5:30 p.m.
The Stage on Forest Forest Ave
Fri/Sat/Sun
April – December 2026
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Fri/Sat)
5 – 7 p.m. (Sun)
All performances are free, open to the public, and will feature amplified sound. The schedule at the Promenade on Forest may be modified due to anticipated construction activity. Musicians have been advised that programming may not begin until July 2026 at that site.
Administrative Action:
To facilitate implementation of the proposed 2026 performance schedule, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to approve any necessary revisions to the dates or locations of the performances and to execute any related ancillary agreements, provided such agreements are in a form approved by the City Attorney. Any required use permits for these events will be submitted as the scheduled dates approach.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The City Council previously approved funding for performance programming in the Arts Commission Special Programs budget of the Laguna Beach Tourism Marketing District which covers performances through June 30, 2026. Given that each of the above performances will not exceed the City Manager’s purchasing authority set forth in Chapter 2.30 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code, such costs will be appropriated from the Arts Commission Special Programs budget accordingly.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed actions are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Regulations sections 15311 and 15323 (Class 11 and 23). Specifically, the actions involve the approval of City-funded artistic performance in various public areas with a past history of these areas used for these purpose. This includes the placement of seasonal or temporary use items such as sound, lighting, equipment and stage or similar items in generally the same locations from time to time in publicly owned parks, stadiums or other facilities designed for public use and consist of normal operations of existing facilities for public gatherings for which the facilities were designed where there is a past history of the facility being used for the same or similar kind of purpose
ATTACHMENTS
1. Arts Commission minutes 9/8/25 (Pg. 3)
Submitted By: Sian Poeschl Approved: .David A Kiff
Sian Poeschl, Cultural Arts
Manager
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Sian Poeschl, Cultural Arts Manager
2026 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE FOR ARTS COMMISSION PROGRAMS
October 14, 2025