TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

Must-go, Must-see September Events in Newport Beach

Your Travel Guide @ Beachview Vacations

August 13, 2021

Summer’s over, but Newport Beach is just heating up!

This is the land of endless summer, and the locals here take full advantage! And that’s why September in Newport Beach is chock full of events and things to do. If you’re planning on coming to town in September, get ready, because you won’t want to miss these lively, one-of-a-kind events that you’ll only find in Newport Beach!

@newportcoastaladventure

Top-Rated Events Happening all September

No matter when you’re in town in September, you’ll always have access to a litany of unique things to do!

Whale Watching

Whale watching, for instance, is in full-blown high season. Blue whales, minke whales, and dolphins galore can be found right off of our coast RIGHT NOW! You can whale watch on a large charter boat with a hundred other sightseers for affordable prices, but our favorite way is aboard a 30ft zodiac boat! Newport Coastal Adventure is the go-to small boat tour in town, because you can get right in on the action! Or if you prefer to stay on solid land, it’s totally typical to see these majestic creatures leaping and diving as you walk along the boardwalk!

Newport Coastal Adventure

@newportcoastaladventure

Farmer’s Market Sundays

Sundays are our favorite day of the week, because it’s Farmer’s Market Day! You’ll find the freshest of California produce, flowers, and artisanal goods right at the base of the Newport Pier. The view and the row upon row of products couldn’t be sweeter!

Farmer’s Market info

@farmermarknb

Live Music Al Fresco

Lido Marina Village and Fashion Island, two of the chicest shopping centers on the West Coast offer live music from their courtyards multiple times a week. Kick back after an afternoon of retail therapy and enjoy the beach tunes floating on the ocean breeze.

Lido Marina Village schedule

Fashion Island schedule

top activities in September in Newport Beach

@sawdustartfestival

September 1-5: Labor Day Activities

One of the most popular times to come to Newport Beach is during Labor Day. The weather is pristine and the summer-long events are taking their final bow.

Sawdust Art Festival & Pageant of the Masters

If you’re in town for the holiday weekend, consider taking a drive down PCH to explore the Sawdust Art Festival. This outdoor event is for all you lovers of art, craftsmanship, and music. From glass blowing to textiles to sculpture – it’s all here under the eucalyptus trees! $10 for adults and $5 for kids gets you access to the work of over 150 artists, live music, live demonstrations, and an ambience like no other.

Make it a full day excursion with tickets to the Pageant of the Masters, happening right across the street. This annual favorite transforms art into gigantic LIVE renderings that will blow your mind! Shows are performed nightly under the stars in beautiful Laguna Beach. It’s the perfect excursion for the whole family. Yes. Your kids will love this, too!

Sawdust Art Festival

Pageant of the Masters

Get in the Groove with World-Famous Pink Martini

Be sure to pack a pair of heels and your hottest shade of lipstick, because Pink Martini is live in concert Labor Day weekend! Composed of a dozen musicians whose songs cover 25 languages, Pink Martini is sure to deliver the funkiest night of your musical dreams. And the Segerstrom venue is to die-for – just a 15 minute drive from the peninsula, too!

Pink Martini tickets

@theshermangardens

September 1 & 11: Got the Guts to Grow an Edible Garden?

Backyard edible gardens are all the rage, but if you’re anything like us, the idea of building a raised bed garden to rival the ones on Instagram is highly intimidating. The folks at Sherman Library and Gardens will calm your qualms and give you some fun ideas for growing food in a small space. For $60, you and your family of up to 6 will get expert tips and tricks on home gardening AND you’ll take home your own plant babies. Imagine – a whole family with green thumbs!!

Sherman Library & Gardens

@lobsterfestatnb

September 12: It’s Time for Lobster Fest!!

Eat, drink and be merry at Newport Beach’s lobster fest! Whole Maine lobster is flown in fresh on the morning of the event and prepared on site along with boiled shrimp and clams, red potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, salads, freshly baked rolls, and dessert. While feasting, you will enjoy live entertainment by local’s favorite The Pinch Me! Band. Oh, and best of all, proceeds go to charity! Talk about a win, win!

Lobster Fest Newport Beach

@sandcastlecontest

September 26: The Most Action-Packed Sunday in all the Land

This is a Sunday for the books. And honestly, we don’t know which event to choose. But if you can manage to go to all of them, you’re one fierce vacationer.

59th Annual Sandcastle Contest

These are not your typical sandcastles made with a bucket and shovel. Your eyes simply won’t believe that these works of art are made of sand. But once you see the bulldozers, tools, gadgets, and artists required to construct these castles, you’ll understand that sandcastle-building is a serious and jaw-dropping enterprise. We can’t wait to see what the artists will do with this year’s theme of “Explore the World!”

Sandcastle Contest

The Balboa Island Art Walk

Soak up every last drop of your Sunday with an art crawl on the beautiful Balboa Island. With over a mile of live music and 100 artists, you’ll see everything from fine jewelry, blown glass, sculpture, and photography. We can’t think of a more picturesque place to spend the day!

The Balboa Island Art Walk

Concert on the Green

But don’t stop now! You still have an outdoor concert to get to! On the sprawling lawn of city hall, jam out to SantanaWays, an electrifying latin and blues rock band that pays homage to the music of Santana. Admission is free, but you’re in charge of bringing your own blanket and chairs. SantanaWays will bring the festivities!

Concert Information