AVALON, Calif. – Oct. 20, 2025 – Catalina Island is diving into something brand new this fall: the inaugural Catalina Island Mermaid Festival, splashing into Avalon Oct. 25–26. The free, family-friendly celebration will transform Avalon’s waterfront into an under-the-sea playground of art, music, food, and – of course – mermaids.
The festival kicks off Saturday, October 25, at 10 a.m. along Crescent Avenue with nearly 20 ocean-themed artist and craft booths, interactive activities, face painting, crown and costume making, and photo opportunities with mermaids.
Highlights include the Rubber Ducky Derby fundraiser at noon on South Beach, playtime with “Madison the Mermaid” and friends, a mermaid sandcastle contest, and a bubbly family dance party with DJ Constance. A beer garden and live music from 4–7 p.m. will keep the celebration flowing into the evening, capped off with a community screening of “The Little Mermaid” on South Beach presented by the City of Avalon.
Sunday programming continues with more art, food, and live entertainment, including Margaritas & Mermaids at IMMERSED in the Tour Plaza and a special Mermaid Paint & Sip in the Beer Garden from 2–4 p.m. Full details and schedules will be updated as activities are finalized.
“Catalina has always been a place of magic and imagination, and what better way to celebrate that spirit than with a festival dedicated to mermaids,” said Lola DiMiele, festival organizer and president of the Catalina Art Association. “We wanted to create something whimsical, welcoming, and family-friendly that brings locals and visitors together while showcasing the creativity of our island community.”
Presented by the Catalina Art Association, the festival is supported by the City of Avalon, Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority, Avalon Smokehouse, and partners including Madison the Mermaid and Catalina Island Mermaids.
The Catalina Island Mermaid Festival is free and open to the public. Some activities and crafts may include a small fee.
For updates and the latest schedule, visit lovecatalina.com or follow @CatalinaArtAssociation on social media.
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About Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority:
With over 200 members, the non-profit organization Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority is the champion of the island’s business community. The organization fosters a successful economy through the promotion of the island as an attractive destination for travel with a focus on sustainability. For more information, please visit www.lovecatalina.com. Travelers can also join the conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lovecatalinaisland) Instagram (@LoveCatalinaIsland) and X (@LoveCatalina_).
About Catalina Island:
A picture-perfect island paradise just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina is a beautiful, dynamic, eclectic destination with a rich history, wide open spaces, and fresh ocean breezes. Catalina offers 25 lodging properties and 300 vacation rentals, including bed and breakfast inns, seaside condominiums, charming bungalows and hotels. The Island boasts 33 palate-pleasing restaurants, lively seaside bars, and an abundance of on- and off-water activities and amenities. Also, home to eight marine sanctuaries and the Catalina Island Conservancy (with 48,000 acres of pristine protected wilderness), these island treasures offer endless year-round outdoor recreation possibilities. Catalina is the perfect getaway all visitors will love.
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Sounds like such a great event! I love when something mixes creativity and hands-on work kinda reminds me of setting up small CNC dovetail where precision and art meet. The mermaid sandcastle contest and movie on the beach sound like the perfect combo. Hope they make it a yearly thing!