Avalon - Event Calendar

9/1 - 9/30  Hatch Chili Festival at Mi Casita
Fresh hatch green chilies from New Mexico, extensive menu selections made with this famous tasty chili available only in late August and September of each year. Available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant.

9/7  First Friday at the Museum (First Friday of each month)
6pm-8pm. First Fridays encourages residents and visitors to explore the museum’s galleries and digital theater, enjoy refreshments and snacks in the outdoor plazas and shop in the Museum Store. Events may include music and dance performances, lectures, gallery talks, or films. Catalina Island Museum.

9/8 - 9/9  59th Annual Catalina Channel Crossing US Outrigger Championships
Come out and see the women finish the longest Polynesian canoe race in the continental U.S., 26 miles from Newport Beach to Avalon, on Saturday, at Casino Point. Then enjoy the after race Hawaiian festivities at the center of town; including music and beer garden. On Sunday watch the men start their race back to Newport Beach from Lovers Cove. Proceeds of the event go to support local charities. More Info: 858.442.2536, Southern California Outrigger Racing Association.

9/8  Catalina Island Airport-in-the-Sky End of Summer BBQ
Includes our famous menu of all you can eat BBQ Tri Tip & Chicken, Caesar Salad, Parmesan Potatoes, Fresh Corn on the Cob, Homemade Garlic Bread and Hot Apple Pie a la mode. At the airport in the Sky. Appetizers start at 4:30pm, dinner at 5pm.
Reservations Required, 310-510-2196. For transportation call the Airport Shuttle: 310-510-0143, Catalinadc3.com

9/8  Windward Beach Cleanup (2nd Saturday each month)
Volunteer in the great outdoors while combing the sand for debris to help keep our windward beaches pristine. Clean-up locations (Shark Harbor, Little Harbor, Ben Weston and Cottonwood) rotate throughout the year. Catalina Island Conservancy.

9/9  Catalina Island Concert Series on Wrigley Plaza Stage
The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and Xceptional Music Company are pleased to present this FREE, family friendly Concert Series, next to the Bay on Wrigley Plaza Stage. A Beer & Wine Garden will be available. More info

9/14 - 9/16  60th Annual Catalina Festival of Art
One of the longest running and most acclaimed art festivals in California! Artists from all over the country exhibit along Crescent Avenue and sell their works of fine art, sculpture, fine crafts & photography. Highlights include charity art auction and kids art show. More Info: 310.510.2788, Catalina Art Association.

9/15  Catalina Island Women's Forum Wine Festival
This 22nd annual fundraiser features over 70 wineries, delectable hors d’oeuvres and smooth jazz. Net proceeds help support mentoring and scholarship programs. 2pm – 5pm, ocean-front on Crescent Avenue (Front Street). More info

9/21 - 9/23  Catalina Wine Mixer 2018
Join us for the 4th Annual Catalina Wine Mixer at Descanso Beach Club! Experience the classic event from Step Brothers, full of fun, live bands, DJs, gourmet food and fine wine on Catalina Island. More Info: 310.510.7410, VisitCatalinaIsland.com

9/22  National Museum Day Celebration
In conjunction with Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day Live and in celebration of National Museum Day, the Catalina Island Museum offers free admission to its history galleries and digital theater. 10am-5pm. More Info: 310.510.2414, CatalinaMuseum.com

9/26 - 9/30  Catalina Film Festival
The Catalina Film Institute’s annual celebration of film features more than 100 films, nightly events and entertainment. The first few days of our event are launched from the mainland cities during our “Catalina Launch Week”. This is a competitive festival with awards in up to 10 categories, including the prestigious Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation “Great Communicator” Award, Charlie Chaplin ICON Award, and Stanley Kramer “Social Artist” Award. More Info: 818.787.1946, CatalinaFilm.com

10/1 - 10/31 Lobsterfest & Oktoberfest at El Galleon
Join us at El Galleon Restaurant during the month of October for fresh caught local lobster dinners, traditional style with shrimp cornbread stuffing, fresh corn & rice pilaf. Enjoy with your choice of Paulaner Beers from Munich. El Galleon

10/5  First Friday at the Museum (First Friday of each month)
6pm-8pm. First Fridays encourages residents and visitors to explore the museum’s galleries and digital theater, enjoy refreshments and snacks in the outdoor plazas and shop in the Museum Store. Events may include music and dance performances, lectures, gallery talks, or films.  More Info: 310.510.2414, Catalina Island Museum

10/6  When Sugar Loaf Stood: Paintings of Catalina Island before 1919
This painting exhibition borrowed from private collections documents early Catalina Island prior to the Wrigley Family ownership and the destruction of Sugar Loaf, a pinnacle-shaped rock structure that once defined the island’s most populous bay. 10am-5pm daily.  More Info: 310.510.2414, Catalina Island Museum

10/11 - 10/14  32nd Annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival
Catalina hosts the longest running Smooth Jazz festival in America with 20+ stars playing through two consecutive weekends. Thursday night “Unplugged” at Descanso Beach Club and Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Casino Ballroom. 866.872.9849 Jazztrax.com

10/13  Aero Club Social Fly-In (2nd Saturday of the month, weather permitting)
Fly-in or take the Wildlands Express from the Avalon Plaza to the Airport in the Sky. From 10am to 2pm. Visit with pilots from around the region and view amazing airplanes. Catalina Island Conservancy.

10/13  Windward Beach Cleanup (2nd Saturday each month)
Volunteer in the great outdoors while combing the sand for debris to help keep our windward beaches pristine. Clean-up locations (Shark Harbor, Little Harbor, Ben Weston and Cottonwood) rotate throughout the year. Catalina Island Conservancy.

10/18  Fall Fest
Live music, food, games, hayrides, pumpkin patch on the beach, and much more! Join the Avalon community from 5-9pm along Crescent Avenue (Front Street) as they raise money for local charities and kick off the Fall season. Fun for the whole family! For more information, please contact the City of Avalon Recreation Department.

10/18 - 10/21  32nd Annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival
Catalina hosts the longest running Smooth Jazz festival in America with 20+ stars playing through two consecutive weekends. Thursday night “Unplugged” at Descanso Beach Club and Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Casino Ballroom. 866.872.9849Jazztrax.com

10/20  Avalon Home Tour
Tour a variety of Avalon’s most beautiful homes. Get a behind the scenes glimpse at homes never opened to the public before. From 1pm-5pm. For more infor and tickets please contact the Catalina Island Medical Center Foundation.

10/25 - 10/26 The Big Draw LA
The Big Draw LA is part of a worldwide, month-long movement designed to provide opportunities for people of all ages to come together and draw. Visitors to the museum will lend their creativity and collaborative spirit in a guided art experience led by a visiting artist. All supplies will be provided. More Info: 310.510.2414, CatalinaMuseum.com

10/31  Halloween Costume Party at El Galleon
Join the wacky and outrageous fun at El Galleon's annual Halloween Karaoke Costume Party. Karaoke party starts at 9pm, where you can sing all the monster favorites with over 20,000 songs to choose from! Vote on your favorite costumes with 1st prize winning a Lobster Dinner for Two. Happy Hour from 3pm-6pm and Sunset Dinner Specials available from 5pm-7pm. No cover charge, must be 21 and over. More info.

10/31  Annual Halloween Parade
Don your favorite costume and join island school kids and residents alike for the Annual Halloween Parade down Crescent Avenue starting at 4pm. For more information, please contact the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

11/2  First Friday at the Museum (First Friday of each month)
6pm-8pm. First Fridays encourages residents and visitors to explore the museum’s galleries and digital theater, enjoy refreshments and snacks in the outdoor plazas and shop in the Museum Store. Events may include music and dance performances, lectures, gallery talks, or films. Catalina Island Museum

11/2  Day of the Dead Ofrenda
In celebration of the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the Catalina Island Museum will erect an ofrenda in its lobby decorated with traditional paper cuttings, sugar skulls and marigold flowers. To honor deceased family members, the Avalon community and its visitors are encouraged to contribute images, mementos, favorite foods and beverages of family members and friends to be placed on the ofrenda. More Info: 310.510.2414, Catalina Island Museum

11/3  34th Annual Catalina Island Triathlon & Duathlon
Catalina Island is one of the most beautiful and unique settings to host a triathlon. The Catalina Island Triathlon & Duathlon attracts athletes who are looking to compete in that last race before the winter season break. This is a unique and beautiful setting that will challenge the beginner and thrill the veteran.

11/10  Aero Club Social Fly-In (2nd Saturday of the month, weather permitting)
Fly-in or take the Wildlands Express from the Avalon Plaza to the Airport in the Sky. From 10am to 2pm. Visit with pilots from around the region and view amazing airplanes. Catalina Island Conservancy.

11/10  Windward Beach Cleanup (2nd Saturday each month)
Volunteer in the great outdoors while combing the sand for debris to help keep our windward beaches pristine. Clean-up locations (Shark Harbor, Little Harbor, Ben Weston and Cottonwood) rotate throughout the year. Catalina Island Conservancy.

11/17  Catalina Trail Venture Weekend
Eco-Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10K, Kid’s Run. Voted the Best Trail Run on RunnersWorld.com. Routes start in Avalon at 8am, course closes at 4pm. Volunteers welcome & appreciated. Spectrum Sports Management.