Avalon’s calendar is filled with events from art festivals to concerts on the beach. Enjoy museum exhibits and many sporting events. Here’s a look at what’s happening.
Please note all events are subject to change.

November 2019

11/1  First Friday at the Museum (First Friday of each month)
6pm-8pm. First Fridays encourage 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  35th 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.

11/9  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.

11/16  Catalina Half-Marathon & 10K
Experience the spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Island's wildlife. Sign up for wither 13.1 miles and run some of the most beautiful, rugged and breathtaking trails you will ever experience! All half marathon finishers receive a medal & training shirt! All 10K runners receive a shirt and the overall finishers & top three in each age group receive a medal. All kids will receive a finisher medal.

December 2019

12/6  First Friday at the Museum (First Friday of each month)
6pm-8pm. First Fridays encourage 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

12/7  26th Annual "Shop Catalina" Night
A one-night shopping extravaganza with holiday discounts (10-50% savings), musical entertainment and prize drawings from 5pm-9pm. Shop Catalina Night kicks off with a holiday tree lighting ceremony on Wrigley Stage at 5pm. Have your picture taken with Santa when you bring two canned goods to the food drive at El Galleon from 6pm - 8:30pm.

12/14  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.

12/31  47th Annual New Year's Eve Celebration
Dance in the New Year at this black-tie optional event in the world-famous Casino Ballroom. Includes gourmet buffet dinner, dancing, champagne split to toast the New Year and party favors. Reservations go on sale August 1st, 2019. 

12/31  New Year's Eve Annual Mardi Gras Karaoke Party
Outrageous fun New Year’s Eve at El Galleon’s Mardi Gras Karaoke Party from 9:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.  Admission to the party is $20 per person, general seating, includes party favors, hats, Mardi Gras beads, a glass of champagne, balloon drop at midnight and all the fun of Karaoke with over 20,000 songs to choose from in their song library. 

Ongoing Events 

Elizabeth Turk: Tipping Point
MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship Awardee Elizabeth Turk highlights various attributes of this continent's birds, Turk developed an alphabet of symbols. Using these unique symbols, she explores the greater concept – Extinction. The “Sound Columns” juxtapose the ephemeral with the eternal. Inspired by recordings of extinct birds (cataloged by the Ornithology Lab at Cornell University) Turk created evocative sculptural forms. Catalina Island Museum.

Wrigley's Catalina: A Centennial Celebration
This special exhibition commemorates William Wrigley Jr. and the execution of his vision for Catalina Island - especially during his first year of ownership: 1919.  The exhibition reveals his remarkable and ambitious plan using photographs, letters, original documents, plans, blueprints, maps, steamship artifacts, advertisements, tools and objects relating to the various projects and industries. Catalina Island Museum.

The History of Catalina Island Exhibition - Permanent Installation
From the island’s discovery some 8,000 years ago to William Wrigley’s purchase of the island and the rise of Avalon as Hollywood’s favorite vacation spot, Catalina Island has a history that is rich in events and personalities. 10am-5pm daily. Catalina Island Museum

Thursday Morning at Native Plant Nursery in Middle Ranch
Volunteering at the James H. Ackerman Native Plant Nursery provides an excellent opportunity to gain access to the interior of Catalina Island and become more familiar with Island ecology and plant species while helping the nursery achieve its goals. Enjoy the tranquil morning in Middle Ranch while working with plants in a casual, social environment. Volunteers receive training in the horticulture and ecology of Catalina's varied flora and tasks are tailored to all ability levels. Volunteers are welcome every Thursday year-round from 7:30am-12pm. Catalina Conservancy