Catalina Island Casino: Avalon’s Historic Gathering Place

The Catalina Island Casino stands as Catalina Island’s signature landmark. This circular Art Deco building reaches the equivalent of 12 stories and has ocean wrapping around it on three sides. By daylight, its white exterior shines in the sun; after dark, it casts a romantic glow across the harbor.

Commissioned and built by William Wrigley, Jr, the Catalina Casino opened on May 29, 1929, ready for that year’s summer visitors. Despite its name, the Catalina Casino was never a gambling venue; it was created as a place of entertainment. Through the 1930s and 1940s, the building welcomed dozens of Big Bands. Travelers arrived by steamship to Charleston and Jitterbug across the immense parquet dance floor, spending evenings with music from Glenn Miller, Harry James, Kay Kyser, and many others.

Catalina Casino Ballroom

At 20,000 square feet, the Catalina Casino Ballroom is the largest circular room in the world without supporting pillars. On May 8, 1940, the ballroom saw its record crowd when 6,200 people danced to Kay Kyser. Nearly every Big Band from that period performed in the Catalina Casino Ballroom, and CBS radio carried live broadcasts from 1934 into the 1950s.

Though the Big Band era has passed, the Catalina Casino Ballroom continues to draw guests for many kinds of celebrations. Its original character remains: rose-hued walls, black Art Deco reliefs, a fifty-foot arched ceiling with five Tiffany-like chandeliers, an elevated stage, raised seating surrounding the dance floor, and a vintage full-service bar at the rear. Outside, a promenade circles the ballroom with views over Avalon Bay’s protected cove and Descanso Beach.

The Catalina Casino Ballroom can be reserved for private functions and remains a favorite setting for weddings and special events. The Catalina Casino also hosts many of Catalina Island’s annual gatherings, including the New Year’s Eve Gala, the Catalina Island Conservancy Ball, the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival and the Catalina Film Festival. Visitors may also tour the interior of the Catalina Casino building through several daily walking tours.

Avalon Theatre

On the lower level, the art-deco style Avalon Theatre features perfect acoustics. Its original 16 rank pipe organ was made by the Page Organ Company of Lima, Ohio.