There’s nowhere else on earth like Catalina Island for the Fourth of July. Festooned with red, white and blue and overflowing with patriotic pride, Catalina’s celebrations combine the best of small town charm with the unique environment of Southern California’s only island resort destination.
On July 4, the charming seaside town of Avalon erupts with streamers, bunting and ribbons and American flags wave proudly everywhere the eye can see. Beginning at breakfast time, visitors and locals alike stake out space along Crescent Avenue for the annual Fourth of July parade, which features floats, service clubs and dozens of festively decorated golf carts – all lead by the Spirit of Troy, USC Marching Band, which has made an appearance in Avalon’s Independence Day parade an annual tradition for nearly three decades.
After the street parade the fun on the Fourth continues with a dinghy parade through Avalon Harbor. The streets are alive with live music on the Wrigley Stage from 3 pm until the fireworks begin.
About 9 p.m. one of Southern California’s most distinctive fireworks displays erupts. The rockets’ red glare – and the rest of the pyrotechnics -- are reflected in Avalon Harbor’s calm seas while the echoes of the bombs bursting in air resonates up Avalon Canyon.
Two Harbors
The west end village celebrates Independence Day this year on July 5. The festive day kicks off with the Annual Children's Festival, followed by a creative and patriotic dinghy parade through the coves of the west end. Just after dusk, the sky lights up with a spectacular fireworks display over Isthmus Cove, a show made to impress.
While Fourth of July is the island’s biggest event of the season, it’s just one of many special events on Catalina Island this summer.
