Making Laguna a Music Town
24th ANNUAL LAGUNA BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL WITH STEFAN JACKIW
February 2-7, 2026
One of America’s foremost violinists, Stefan Jackiw, serves as Artistic Director for the 24th Annual Laguna Beach Music Festival.
The recipient of a prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, Jackiw has performed in numerous major festivals and concert halls around the world, including the Aspen Music Festival, Ravinia Festival, Caramoor International Music Festival, New York’s Mostly Mozart Festival, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, and the Celebrity Series of Boston.
The Laguna Beach Music Festival is a multi-day series of classical and contemporary concerts, community engagement programs, and dynamic special events.
FESTIVAL PRELUDE
Wednesday, February 12th, 2025
Laguna Art Museum
305 Cliff Drive
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Help us kick off the 2025 Laguna Beach Music Festival with a celebration of music! Indulge in hors d’oeuvres, wine, and intimate performances.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Nicole Gonzales at (949) 553-2422, ext. 234, or nicole@philharmonicsociety.org.
CONCERTS
EVENT DETAILS
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Thursday, February 5, 2026 - 8:00 PM
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Laguna Playhouse
606 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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Co-presentation of Laguna Beach Live! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County
Featured Performers
Stefan Jackiw, violin; Kevin Ahfat, piano
Program
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Arvo PÄRT: Fratres
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HANDEL: Affetuoso and Allegro from Sonata in D major
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PROKOFIEV: Sonata No. 2 in D major
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Conrad TAO: All I had forgotten or tried to
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BRAHMS: Sonata No. 3 in D minor
Pre-concert lecture at 7 PM
Join us for Opening Night of the 2026 Laguna Beach Music Festival with Festival Artistic Director Stephan Jackiw performing alongside two-time Juilliard Concerto Competition winner pianist Kevin Ahfat.
Stefan Jackiw is one of America's foremost violinists, captivating audiences with playing that combines poetry and purity with impeccable technique.
Jackiw is an enchanting violinist with a gorgeous, singing tone and a natural gift for phrasing as delicate or robust as the music demands.
Hyde Park Herald
One of the most insightful violinists of his generation.
Boston Globe
EVENT DETAILS
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Friday, February 6, 2026 - 8:00 PM
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Laguna Playhouse
606 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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Co-presentation of Laguna Beach Live! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County
Featured Performers
Stefan Jackiw, violin; Kevin Ahfat, piano
Program
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JANÁČEK: String Quartet No. 1, "Kreutzer Sonata"
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BEETHOVEN: Kreutzer Sonata for violin and piano
Stefan Jackiw has expressed his admiration for this work, stating that he "fell in love with Janacek Violin Sonata" in a 2020 Violin Channel interview. Loosely based on the psychological drama of Leo Tolstoy's 1889 novel "The Kreutzer Sonata," Janáček melds the ingredients of love, desire, torment, and ultimately murder, to create a four movement emotional tour de force.
EVENT DETAILS
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Saturday, February 7, 2026 - 8:00 PM
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Laguna Playhouse
606 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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Co-presentation of Laguna Beach Live! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County
Featured Performers
Stefan Jackiw, violin; Kevin Ahfat, piano; Yoonah Kim, clarinet; String Quartet
Program
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Florence PRICE: Adoration for violin and piano
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Eric NATHAN: Double Concerto for violin, clarinet and string orchestra
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COPLAND: Appalachian Spring