Catalina Island Casino Events
- The Catalina Island Jazz Festival (also commonly referred to as the Catalina Jazz Dance Festival) is a favorite event held in the middle of November at the Catalina Island Casino Ballroom in Avalon. This distinctive event is one of the most popular of all the Catalina Island festivals during the fall months.
- The Catalina Casino epitomizes everything glamorous about Santa Catalina Island. You’ll see the extraordinary Art Deco murals and a classic 1929 pipe organ inside the Avalon Theatre. A short film is shown highlighting the history of this iconic building and its Hollywood connection.
Casino Point Dive Park The Casino Point Underwater Park is located next to the world-famous Casino Building. First established in 1962, this park is the first nonprofit underwater park in the country (and maybe the world), and offers the best shore diving in California! To make entry and exit in and out of the water as easy. Event Cancellation Policy. Catalina Island Conservancy Catalina Chimes Catalina Chamber. PO Box 115 30 Casino Way, Avalon, CA 90704 (310) 510-0022.
For nearly 100 years, the Catalina Casino has greeted island visitors, the magnificent architectural marvel providing a dramatic welcome to Avalon Harbor. Home to a theatre and a ballroom, the building is an integral part of the island experience.
The Catalina Casino is full of secrets
For many Catalina visitors, the most important secret to know about the Catalina Casino is that there’s no gambling inside that iconic building. Here are three others:
The murals — the Avalon Theatre murals are masterpieces of art deco design that pay homage to the island and early California life. Deer leap, steeds charge and ships sail across the fanciful landscape that has intrigued generations. Those murals hide a number of secrets — one of which is the artists who painted it. Five monks are found on the left side of the mural; four of those monks’ faces were painted as self portraits by the artists. The fifth, whose face is hidden, represents John Gabriel Beckman, the renowned artist who designed the mural.
The seats — When the Catalina Casino was completed in 1929, it was the pinnacle of luxury. Designed to showcase the latest in movie technology, it also featured the latest in comforts and convenience. In the 1920s and 30s, no self-respecting gentleman would appear without his hat — and a place for that hat was essential while enjoying the movie. Beneath the seats of nearly every seat in the theatre was a hat shelf, the perfect place to hide your head gear. While the upholstery has been replaced several times, the hat shelves remain beneath the seats, a hidden testament to long ago fashion.
Some Catalina Casino secrets are hidden in the walls
The walls — Once the United States joined World War 2, the entire country took part in the war effort and Catalina Island was no exception. The resort destination was transformed into a military base, with several branches utilizing it for everything from lookout station to training base. Once the war ended, practical minds prevailed, and the war surplus left behind was catalogued and what could be used was turned into emergency supplies. Stashed in metal 55-gallon drums are first aid kits, blankets, cots and other supplies. Those drums are hidden in a secret space in the interior walls of the Casino, ready to be put to use if they are ever needed.
Want to learn more about the Catalina Casino and its many secrets? Book the Discover the Casino Tour or the Casino Behind the Scenes Tour.
Experience authentic Catalina with the help of our friendly island travel advisors.
