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.

January

1/1  Polar Bear Swim & Plunge
Take the plunge and swim in Avalon Harbor on the first day of the New Year. Experience an island tradition with this exhilarating swim. 

1/11  Annual Avalon Benefit 50K/50M Run
Whether you choose to conquer the entire Island in the 50 Mile Run, or start with the “Introductory” Avalon 50K Benefit Run, great terrain, incredible views and fascinating historical sites await you.

 

February

2/8  Opening Night of “Catalina Painting: Night and Day”
Hosted at the Catalina Island Museum, “Night and Day” explores visions of Catalina through the eyes and palettes of contemporary Plein Air painters. This impressive exhibition of island dawn, dusk, day and dark painting is on display through June 7, 2020. 

2/15  Project Azorian Lecture
Experience one of the most complex, secretive and expensive operation of the Cold War at the Catalina Island Museum. In 1974, the CIA asked Howard Hughes to help with a covert operation, so they could recover a sunken Russian submarine. 

2/15  REI Trans-Catalina Trail Expedition
Join REI on Catalina Island for a Trans-Catalina Trail Expedition where you will hike through the rugged island interior and camping next to pristine beaches. Covering 38.5 miles in four days, you will traverse the Island starting at the trailhead in Avalon and finishing at Two Harbors. 

2/22  39th Annual Harbor Underwater Cleanup
USC’s Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber and Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies – Catalina Conservancy Divers are proud to host this annual event. This is the only time scuba diving is allowed in Avalon Bay, with 500+ expected volunteer divers collecting trash and debris. An awards ceremony follows on Wrigley Stage with prizes & giveaways. Proceeds benefit the USC Hyperbaric Chamber and the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies Scientific Diving Program. 

2/29 - 3/1  Ötillö Swimrun Catalina
Catalina Island is proud and honored to be able to host the ÖTILLÖ World Series Swimrun! A swimrun is a multi-stage competition when involves participants running and swimming over a race course. This weekend-long event will start in Two Harbors and finish in Avalon. 

March

2/29 - 3/1  Ötillö Swimrun Catalina
Catalina Island is proud and honored to be able to host the ÖTILLÖ World Series Swimrun! A swimrun is a multi-stage competition when involves participants running and swimming over a race course. This weekend-long event will start in Two Harbors and finish in Avalon.

3/13  Catalina Classic Film Club – “Rain”
The Catalina Classic Film Club meets quarterly to bring together enthusiasts looking for an opportunity to enjoy films of yesteryear in an intimate setting. Only 24 seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. "Rain" stars Joan Crawford and was filmed on Catalina Island. Refreshments and movie snacks are available for purchase.

3/14  43^rd Annual Catalina Island Conservancy Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Run
This “bucket list” trail run is California’s oldest trail marathon.  The marathon starts in Two Harbors and runs back to the City of Avalon. Along the way, runners will experience views of the Pacific Ocean, wildlife, wildflowers, incredible scenery you will only experience running at the peaks of the Island.

April

4/4  REI Trans-Catalina Trail Expedition
Join REI on Catalina Island for a Trans-Catalina Trail Expedition where you will hike through the rugged island interior and camping next to pristine beaches. Covering 38.5 miles in four days, you will traverse the Island starting at the trailhead in Avalon and finishing at Two Harbors.

4/9  Spring Fest
Join the Avalon community for the annual Spring Fest! Enjoy food, games and fun along the waterfront and celebrate the upcoming season. 

4/10 - 12  11^th Annual Catalina Spring Art Fair & Craft Festival
Experience the Catalina Spring Art Fair & Craft Festival along the waterfront. Artist from all over the country exhibit down Crescent Avenue selling their works of fine art, sculptures, fine crafts and photography. Highlights will include a charity art auction and kid’s art show.  

4/18  Catalina Island Museum Open House and Exhibition Opening
This Catalina Island Museum Open House acts as opening reception for the "Soot and Water: Gyotaku Records of Catalina" and the "Catalina Paintings: Night and Day" exhibitions. Enjoy hands-on, interactive experiences with pieces from the museum's education collection as well as art projects for the entire family. Artist Dwight Hwang will lead a workshop for the learning of traditional gyotaku fish painting and Plein Air artists will reveal the philosophy behind their practice during live painting demonstrations.  

4/25  25^th Annual Catalina Island Conservancy Ball 
Join in the celebration of the 25th Annual Catalina Island Conservancy Ball! The black-tie event includes dinner and dancing in Avalon’s historic Casino Ballroom and the spectacular silent and live auctions. 

May

5/9  REI Trans-Catalina Trail Expedition
Join REI on Catalina Island for a Trans-Catalina Trail Expedition where you will hike through the rugged island interior and camping next to pristine beaches. Covering 38.5 miles in four days, you will traverse the Island starting at the trailhead in Avalon and finishing at Two Harbors.

5/16  Silent Film Festival: Blood and Sand
Recognized as one of the world’s longest running annual celebration of Silent Film, the 33^rd annual benefit is held in the historic Avalon Casino Theatre. Attendees will be treated to an authentic 1920’s cinematic experience with the screening of the 1922 film, Blood and Sand with live musical accompaniment.

5/16  Avalon Ball
Now celebrating 18 years, the Avalon Ball is a fantastic journey into the past. Be taken back in time where Big Bands played for huge audiences as well as being broadcasted across the nation. Dace the night away in the Art Deco Casino Ballroom.

5/16  Lost at Sea
Lost at Sea is a musical experience on Descanso Beach featuring amazing 80’s music. Legends like Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, The Motels, Anabella of Bow Wow Wow and former members of Oingo Boingo will be rocking the beach.

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.

Esther Williams: The Swimming Queen of the Silver Screen
Esther Williams dazzled movie audiences around the world in her aqua-musical films. This exhibition chronicles Williams’ life from humble beginnings to her success as a champion athlete, a major Hollywood celebrity and an entrepreneur. The exhibition includes movie memorabilia, costumes, photographs and never-before-seen personal home movies. 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.

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

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

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.