What We’re Looking Forward To This Summer on the Catalina Calendar of Events
With warm temperatures and a wealth of things to do, summer is always the busiest time of year on the island. It’s also a time when the Catalina calendar of events is full of fun things to look forward to. Here’s just a few of the many upcoming events:
The Catalina Pride Celebration: Featuring an array of concerts, a Pride walk and an after party, Catalina’s annual Pride Celebration has blossomed into a must-do event for the Southern California LGBTQ+ community and allies. The fun starts at noon Saturday, June 24 on the Wrigley Stage.
Fourth of July: If Catalina Island had an official holiday, it would definitely be Independence Day. Always the busiest day of the year, Fourth of July is a celebration of small-town patriotism with a healthy dose of island style. Kicking off with a parade featuring hundreds of golf carts festooned with banners and bunting, the day continues into the evening with a spectacular fireworks show over Avalon Harbor. The University of Southern California Marching Band has long been the island’s special guest on July 4, making an appearance in the parade and at a concert at Descanso Beach.
Sipping Wine in Two Harbors: Every once in a while, it’s great to get out of Avalon and see the rest of the island. The 21st annual Summer Wine Festival in Two Harbors is the perfect excuse to see the other end of the island. Held on the beach with live music, this event is scheduled for Saturday, July 8 from noon to 6 p.m. Get your tickets early so you don’t miss out.
Movies in the Avalon Theatre: Thanks to a concerted effort, movies in the historic Avalon Theatre have returned, with a combination of classic and first-run movies playing most weekends. Movies are often preceded by a vintage pre-show featuring newsreels, classic cartoons and silent movies. One of the most spectacular movie theatres in the world, the Avalon Theatre is located on the ground floor of the Catalina Casino Building. Check out their upcoming movies here.
Free Family Fun: Speaking of movies, the City of Avalon hosts free family-friendly flicks on South Beach every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. On Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer, families enjoy gathering for beach bingo on South Beach from 6 to 7 p.m. And every Wednesday morning at 7 a.m., young anglers gather at the end of the pier for the Kids Fishing Derby.
Street Concerts: The Catalina Concert Series kicks off Saturday, July 15, with the band Venice, which plays pop harmonies influenced by bands like the Beach Boys, Crosby, Stills and Nash and the Eagles. Concerts are held on Wrigley Stage starting at 8 p.m. There’s no cost to attend, although beverages will be available for purchase in the beer garden. Upcoming concerts include: Mick Adams and the Stones Saturday, August 19, and a tribute to Abba on Saturday, Sept. 2.
No matter which of the happenings on the Catalina calendar of events attract you to the island, when you get here you’ll discover a wealth of eperiences and adventures. Need help deciding? Peruse Catalina activities here or let our friendly island experts help you plan the perfect Catalina getaway.