This Smooth Jazz Festival In Southern California Has Been Going Strong Since 1987

Just a few miles off the coast of Los Angeles is the delightful Catalina Island, a perfect destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway. It is also home to a long-running festival that has been a fall highlight since 1987. In fact, this unique setting makes this jazz festival on Catalina Island a truly unique experience every music lover should have on their bucket list.

For over 35 years, JazzTrax has been held on Southern California’s beautiful Catalina Island. This is the longest-running Smooth Jazz festival in the world and takes place over two “Magical October Smooth Jazz Island Weekends.”

JazzTrax welcomes music lovers this year on October 12-15 and October 19-22, 2023.

Each JazzTrax weekend begins on Thursday evening with an acoustic concert on the sand at the secluded Descanso Beach Club. As the sun goes down, enjoy two acts under the stars on the water’s edge, with a view of the stunning Avalon Casino building.

Get to the beach club early and enjoy some beach time and grab dinner and drinks at the beach club restaurant starting at 5 p.m.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday shows are held inside on the top floor of the Avalon Casino overlooking the marina.

If you have never been inside the historic 1929 Avalon Ballroom at the top of the Casino building, I can tell you it is one of the most spectacular spaces you will ever see, with its massive circular dance floor, Art Deco chandelier, and panoramic windows and terrace overlooking the Avalon Bay.

During JazzTrax, the ballroom, with its incredible acoustics, is transformed into a colorful, enchanting concert venue.

You cannot beat the gorgeous views from the ballroom, especially as the sun goes down and the lights come up throughout the bay and town.

There is an amazing lineup of jazz artists for this year’s festival. There is one show each evening on Thursdays and Fridays, with two shows (afternoon and evening sessions) on Saturdays and Sundays. Full weekend tickets are available or you can purchase tickets for individual festival days.

There is nothing like a little island time, and this jazz festival on Catalina Island just takes it to a whole new level! Find detailed festival information, including tickets, on the JazzTrax website. For festival-goers who plan to visit the island for just one day, or who spend the weekend but need to be home by Monday morning, the Catalina Express ferry will offer a late-night trip back to the mainland at 11:30 p.m.

If you plan to spend an entire weekend on Catalina, enjoying the festival and exploring the quaint seaport village of Avalon (which I highly recommend!!), consider staying at one of the festival-supporting hotels such as the elegant Hotel Metropole.