As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, twilight on Catalina Island is full of promise. Most of the time, that promise is the allure of a romantic walk along the Avalon waterfront, an amusing night out with friends or the soul-fulfilling beauty of the full moon reflected on the surface of the Pacific.
Sometimes, however, the promise that twilight holds is a bit more spine tingling.
Haunted Catalina
Catalina Island is rich with ghostly tales. There's the ghost of a ballplayer spotted at the Catalina Country Club, wandering what was once the Chicago Cubs locker room during their spring training days. Or the eerie séance at an all-boys school in the 1960s that left the residents haunted by nightmares. And then there’s the unsettling history of Ralph Glidden, who looted the graves of thousands of native islanders and turned their remains into a macabre museum exhibit nearly a century ago.
These chilling stories, along with many others, come to life on nightly ghost tours. Guests often witness glowing orbs, mysterious fogs, and other unexplained phenomena. Haunted Catalina offers three different captivating tours including an hour-long walking tour, a golf cart tour and an adults only EMF Detection walking tour, all led by local historians, guiding you through Avalon’s streets to uncover the spine-tingling tales of its phantom residents.
While a ghost tour may seem like the perfect way to celebrate Halloween on Catalina – and it is – there are plenty of other ways to honor autumn on this island paradise.
Halloween Parades & More
Catalina Island offers a variety of Halloween activities on October 31 for both kids and adults. Families can enjoy the Annual Halloween Parade down Crescent Avenue, trick-or-treating at local businesses on Front Street and neighborhood homes in the Flats, and an exciting round of Laser Tag at Middle Beach. For the grown-ups, the night comes alive with costume parties and festivities at popular bars and nightclubs. The parade kicks off at 4:30 PM, followed by spooky, family-friendly laser tag from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.
Hollywood's Haunted Island
In the spirit of Halloween’s Haunted Island, the Avalon Theatre gets into the spooky season with a lineup of classic films throughout October. You can catch seasonal favorites like Young Frankenstein, Casper, Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, The Addams Family, and more. It’s the perfect way to enjoy some eerie entertainment while soaking in the island’s haunted history.Check the upcoming features.
Dia de Los Muertos
The celebrations round out with the Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Festival at the Catalina Museum for Art & History on November 1 from 6-9 pm. The evening features a kids art project, tequila tasting for adults, live music and a performance by Ballet Folklorico Quetzal. Attendees can also set up their own Ofrenda/Altar and enter the Art Contest to win a cash prizes.
No matter what you choose to do, Catalina Island in October is an ideal destination for mystery, family fun and relaxation. For more information about fall special offers and events, click here.
