Two women smile and enjoy themselves indoors near the Segerstrom Performing Arts Center Costa Mesa; one in a red jacket looks to the side, while the other, in a black hat and denim jacket, holds up a phone to capture the moment with trees visible outside.

Art happens here. Everywhere.

Arts & Culture in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa turns every turn into a creative moment. From massive murals and interactive public art to inventive gallery spaces and local exhibitions, the city’s culture is impossible to ignore. Explore at your own pace, stumble into surprises, and see how art in Costa Mesa is meant to be felt, not just viewed.

See. Do. Discover. Repeat.

Ready for a little bit of everything, all in one city? Tap through to find the spots that make Costa Mesa the City of the Arts^®, from exhibitions to performances, public art to hidden gems.

The Segerstrom Performing Arts Center Costa Mesa features a modern concert hall with curved glass walls, illuminated at night alongside a brightly lit fountain in the foreground and downtown buildings in the background.

Costa Mesa, City of the Arts^®

We didn’t stumble into the title “City of the Arts^®”—we earned it. Costa Mesa is what happens when the arts are a priority. Creativity isn’t on the sidelines here: it’s the city’s beating heart.

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The Artful Side of Costa Mesa

Discover Costa Mesa, the City of the Arts^®, where creativity leads the way. Wander your way through walkable streets filled with little shops, performing arts, and inspiration at every turn.

A conductor in a dark suit stands on a podium, leading an orchestra during a performance at the Segerstrom Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Musicians with instruments and music stands surround him as he gestures expressively.

Pacific Symphony Appoints New Artistic & Music Director

Costa Mesa welcomes a new era of musical artistry as Alexander Shelley takes the podium as Pacific Symphony’s Artistic and Music Director, bringing global experience, fresh energy, and a passion for connecting communities through music.

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Where the stage comes alive.

Costa Mesa’s performing arts pulse through world-class productions, compelling concerts, and unforgettable nights under the spotlight. Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents Broadway favorites, orchestras, dance, and more.

Night view of Segerstrom Hall and the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Performing Arts Center Costa Mesa, showcasing modern architecture, large glass windows, tall banners, and a vibrant, lit fountain in a lively plaza.

Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

A modern circular reflecting pool with a metallic edge sits in front of light-colored contemporary buildings and trees near the Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa, under a clear blue sky.

Samueli Theater

A modern theater building labeled REPERTORY is brightly lit at dusk, with people entering. The Segerstrom Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa stands nearby, with a tall sign, glass high-rise, trees, and a well-kept lawn completing the scene.

South Coast Repertory

A modern building with a large, illuminated archway and geometric design, photographed at night. The structure has tan stone and white surfaces, with spotlights highlighting its architectural features.

Segerstrom Hall and Judy Morr Theater

Costa Mesa Playhouse

Streets that draw you in.

Costa Mesa doesn’t wait for you to find the art—it finds you. Public art like murals, interactive sculptures, and quirky outdoor installations pop up around every corner, turning streets, parks, and outside spaces into a playground for curiosity.

Fire Bird

The Ram

A small stream with clear water flows through a desert garden, bordered by light stone slabs, reminiscent of the Noguchi Garden Costa Mesa. In the background are cactus plants, dry grass, and a leafless tree against a high white wall.

California Scenario (Noguchi Garden)

Connector

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Your walk, your gallery.

Stroll through Costa Mesa’s Art Walk and discover over 20 public murals and interactive sculptures. Follow the free audio tour and see the city in a whole new way.

Explore the Art Walk

A woman and man take a selfie in front of a colorful mural near Segerstrom Performing Arts Center Costa Mesa, featuring a large portrait of a smiling blonde woman in a sparkling blue outfit, surrounded by bright flowers and birds.

Orange text reads CA in the center, with ORANGE curved above and COUNTY curved below, forming a circular stamp-like design on a white background, inspired by the vibrant culture near Segerstrom Performing Arts Center Costa Mesa.

Museum days, but make them legendary.

From contemporary galleries at UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art to hands-on science at the OCC Planetarium, Costa Mesa turns a museum visit into an adventure. Explore, stumble, and let curiosity take the lead. Learning has never been this fun.

A woman in a floral skirt walks outside a modern building with white, geometric architecture, large windows, and a staircase on the left side of the image.

UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art

Bowers Museum

A modern building with bold, colorful wave patterns on its exterior walls, tall glass entrance, and geometric shapes, surrounded by palm trees and landscaping under a clear sky.

Discovery Cube Orange County

A beige two-story building with a green roof, palm trees in front, and two flags—U.S. and California—flying under a partly cloudy sky. The building sign reads TOWN HALL, reminiscent of the civic style seen at Heroes Hall Museum in Orange County.

Heroes Hall Museum

Laguna Art Museum

A vintage silver biplane with a wooden propeller is displayed in a brightly lit Costa Mesa hangar. The aircraft’s exposed engine and landing gear are visible, with other planes showcased in the background.

Lyon Air Museum

Well-lit building entrance at night, featuring wide glass doors, illuminated columns, stairs with metal railings, and greenery on both sides. The interior appears to be a gift shop or store.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum

Vibrant purple flowers in the foreground with a circular fountain and water jets in the background, surrounded by a garden.

Sherman Library & Gardens

A red Ferrari sports car is parked indoors next to a yellow Ferrari and other cars, with posters on the white walls and a glossy concrete floor reflecting the vehicles.

Marconi Automotive Museum

Where the beats drop. Again and again.

From local bands to world-class concerts, Costa Mesa’s music scene offers something for every ear and every mood. Tap your toes to intimate performances, catch a headline show, or wander between venues discovering the city’s rhythm.