Avalon Ball 2025 FAQ
The Ball will take place Saturday, May 17, 2025. Please note that this page will be updated as more details about the 2025 event become available.
Greetings Avalon Ball Revelers!
We are thrilled to be able to dance with you once again! We hope that this exhaustive FAQ will enable you to feel super prepared for the Ball! The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles will hold the Avalon Ball in 2025 on May 17 from 6:00 - 10:00 PM.
As the event has grown in size, Members of the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles will have exclusive access to tickets during the first offering. Tickets will go on sale to the general public following. There is still time to join ADSLA. The system will automatically give you access to member benefits once you join online.
Early Bird Ticket sales will be announced.
We plan to hold a meetup for people attending the Ball for the first time. Keep your eyes on this page for details. We welcome seasoned Avalon Ball attendees to come to the meetup to welcome newbies.
WHEN DO TICKETS USUALLY GO ON SALE?
Tickets & Tables for the 2024 Avalon Ball ™ go on sale to members before they go on sale to the general public.
Non-Members will have access to a limited number of Early Bird tickets.
Early Bird Ticketing
Start Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024 for Members of ADSLA only.
End Date: Early Bird Tickets are Now Sold Out
Member: $60 (plus ticket fees)
Non-Member: $70 (plus ticket fees)
Regular Ticketing
Start Date: Monday, December 9, 2024
End Date: May 15, 2025 at 7pm or until sold out.
Member: $70 (plus ticket fees)
Non-Member: $85 (plus ticket fees)
At the Door Tickets
Start Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
TBA (Cash Only)
See the table section for information about buying a table. Tables are first offered to members of the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles at all levels. They generally sell out to members.
ATTENTION!
There are no physical tickets. Everything is will call and electronic ticket. We will have your name on a list. You can now transfer tickets you purchased for a friend, to that friend’s name using the ticket transfer protocol mentioned below.
Ticket holders should get an email(s) with additional confirmation details about attending the Ball. If you bought tickets for someone else, please forward the details to them.
Internet and phone service on the island can be spotty. We highly recommend that you carry printed copies of reservation confirmations, maps, etc. with you to the island. Make a plan to meet up with friends, that doesn’t involve texting, just in case you can’t get reception.
May 16 - 19 if you need to reach ADSLA in an emergency, please text us. Please include your name. We will try to respond, but bear in mind we have a very limited staff. We will not be able to check emails and social media questions in a timely fashion. The number is: 310-659-3326.
COVID-19 Policy: Masks are strongly encouraged for all patrons. We are not checking vaccination status.
TICKET TRANSFERS:
Tickets are not refundable, however you can still transfer your tickets to a friend. Here are instructions. You can transfer any ticket to another person in a few easy steps. This includes tour/lecture/Unwinder tickets. If you sell the tickets, you will be responsible for working out payment from the new buyer using Venmo, Paypal or other method.
ONLINE SALES FOR ALL TICKETS END WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM OR WHEN SOLD OUT.
TICKETS TO THE BALL WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR FOR PRICE TBA CASH ONLY. Or you can try looking for private parties selling tickets on our Facebook event page.
Due to the unprecedented number of sales this year, we will open check-in at 3:30 PM.
In order to obtain a (waterproof) wristband at check-in EVERY GUEST must appear in person with photo I.D. to get their wristband. Guests will be wristbanded prior to leaving the check in table. You must be present to receive your wristband. Once you are wearing your wristband, you may return later for the Ball. Once open, check-in will remain open for the duration of the event. We do not allow one person from the party to pick up tickets for a group of attendees. You do NOT have to check in early. It is optional.
There are TWO lines. One to check in and one to wait in, until doors open. Members will be admitted starting at 5:45 PM. If you checked in early and have a wristband, when you arrive at the Casino, you will stand in the Member or Non-Member line until doors open. Once doors open and lines have gone in, anyone wearing the Avalon Ball 2024 wristband can enter upon arrival.
Country Club Unwinder. This event sells out every year, so if you want to attend, please purchase a ticket when they go on sale. Do not expect to come to will call to buy a ticket. There are no more spaces available for this event. Due to the demand for tickets, this event is now members only.
If you are unable to attend, you may sell or gift your tickets to another person. Please use the method described above to transfer the tickets. You are responsible for receiving payment from the person you sell to. Tickets are not refundable.
ANIMAL POLICY:
Animals are strictly prohibited in the Avalon Casino.
BAG POLICY:
You may bring a suitcase or bag to carry a change of clothes, but all bags must be checked at coat check. They are prohibited in the ballroom. No large bags may be stashed under chairs, tables (unless you purchased a table), corners of the ballroom. This creates a tripping hazard. It may be removed by staff and brought to coat check if found on the floor.
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
Animals, firearms or other weapons, illegal drugs, children under 12 (must be trained Ballroom dancers). Selfie sticks and tripods are forbidden on the dance floor.
EARLY CHECK-IN:
When you check in early, you will get your waterproof wristband (yes you can take a shower with it on). You won't need to check in again when you return to enter the Ballroom, but you will need to stand in line to be admitted if you arrive before 6PM (when doors open). After doors open you can go right in.
Each ticket buyer must appear in person to check in. The wristband will be placed on each person's wrist by ADSLA staff at the time of check in.
You cannot pick up a wristband for another ticket holder who is not present.
Wristbands cannot leave the check in table unless they are on the ticket buyer's wrist.
Wristbands must be worn at all times before and during the event.
REFUND INFORMATION:
Tickets are non-refundable. You can gift or sell them to a friend and give us the name of the new ticket holder.
If you wish to sell your table in a private sale, email us and we will connect you with a buyer. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to sell your table the week of the Ball. We suggest that you contact us as early as possible to sell the table. The buyer and seller will need to handle payment directly via Zelle or Paypal, etc. without any involvement of ADSLA.
We will take your name for a waiting list if you email us. ADSLA members will have priority on the waiting list.
HOW DO I GET THE MEMBER PRICE?
Use your member number to access the member price on the Agile system. If you are a member and don't know your number, select "Yes" at the "Members Sign In" prompt, click on "Forgot Your Number" and follow instructions to retrieve your number.
The number of member discounted tickets is related to your level of membership. If you have a senior, student or principle membership, you will only be able to purchase ONE TICKET AT THE MEMBER PRICE.
You must be a member at the time that you purchase tickets in order to get the member discount.
If you wish to upgrade your membership to purchase two tickets at the member price, you can do so at any time of the year. Contact AGILE TICKETING. You must indicate the name of the event, your name, your membership number, the level you wish to upgrade to and the name of our organization (Art Deco Society of Los Angeles).
Is there a discount offered to members of other Art Deco Societies?
The ART DECO SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES offers member pricing to current members of our sister Art Deco Societies. To purchase up to two tickets at the ART DECO SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES member price, please send an email to artdeco@artdecola.org, and provide some proof of current membership for your Art Deco Society. A scan of a current membership card or membership confirmation email would be ideal. Instructions will be emailed to you.
FERRY TO THE ISLAND
The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles works with Catalina Express to charter an 11:00 pm boat for those attendees who wish to return to the mainland immediately after the dance. All tickets are sold through Catalina Express. This ferry time does not go on sale until closer to the event. All questions about reservations should be directed to Catalina Express. There tends to be space for all who want to take this boat.
RESERVED SEATING TABLES
Tables are a separate purchase and do not include admission. When you purchase a table, you are choosing the exact table that you want. If you are planning to buy a table, please buy a ticket(s) first. Tables will initially be offered exclusively to ART DECO SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES members. It is highly unlikely that any tickets will be available to non-members this year.
Note that a table purchase is separate from an admission ticket. You must buy a ticket to be admitted, even if you bought a table.
Table reservations will be offered via the ADSLA website for an additional charge (in addition to your ticket). All tables are paid and reserved. There will be no tables available for open seating.
Table Sales Start Date:
Members TBA
Member:
Cocktail: $200
Standard: $300
This year, in the initial offering of tables, upper level members will be able to purchase ONE table. After that period, Household members and above may purchase once the second round of sales is announced.
Standard tables are large circular, dining style tables and come with four chairs.
Cocktail tables are small circular tables with two dining room chair height chairs.
Once you have purchased a table, anyone you wish may sit at your table. They don't have to pay extra to be your guest. However, they must have a ticket to the event.
Once tables sell out, we will take a waiting list with priority given to members. If table buyers contact us to sell their table, we will contact people on the waiting list first come, first served. You must be a member at the time the tickets go on sale, in order to get the priority notification for purchase.
At the event, there will be ADSLA staff waiting to show you to your table. The table concierge is at the top of the ramp that you walk to enter the Ballroom.
How do I get my tickets?
Physical ticket(s) will NOT BE mailed to you. Everyone will check in on a list or be scanned at the door. If you do not have your ticket on your phone or as a print out, we will look you up on a printed list. Please bring I.D. with your name on it. We will accept your name on a credit card or photo I.D. as proof of identity.
HOW DO I BOOK MY FERRY TICKETS?
Ferry tickets are available through Catalina Express.
Please contact them at 1-800-481-3470 or book online at http://www.catalinaexpress.com/. If you are returning on the Saturday special Avalon Ball 11:00 p.m. ferry, please make sure you book your tickets from the Long Beach Downtown Landing. You then select the 11 PM "Avalon Ball" return boat on their website. The "late boat" should be available early in 2025.
In the past, parking has been around $22 per 24 hours at the Long Beach Downtown Landing Parking lot. There is no attendant. Fees are paid via credit card. Please be aware that parking fees are not under the ADSLA’s control, so plan accordingly.
IS THERE SEATING IN THE BALLROOM IF I DON’T BUY A TABLE?
Chairs are offered as a courtesy to our guests. An abundant number of unreserved chairs will be located around the ballroom for your use while you are not dancing. Chairs are for sharing. We ask that you do not reserve a chair for the entire evening, by draping coats and other items over it. Those items should be in coat check.
ACCESSABILITY:
The Avalon Casino is fully equipped with ramps. There is an elevator on the side of the building facing the ferry dock. We will have staff there to show you where to find it after you check in and get your wristband.
The elevator has a small capacity and is manually operated. Be patient. It will arrive. It will take you right into the Ballroom. If you purchased a table, be sure to go across the room to where the table concierge is located. A staff member will show you to your table. Do not attempt to locate your table on your own.
The main route into the Casino Ballroom is a rather steep concrete ramp that winds around. This is also the access between the Ballroom (top floor) and Mezzanine where the restrooms and coat check are located. The Marine Bar is also on this level. There is no elevator between the Ballroom and Mezzanine levels.
SOMETHING CAME UP, MAY I HAVE A REFUND?
These tickets are transferable, so if you find someone who will buy your ticket directly from you, you can easily change the name on the ticket using the transfer function in Agile.
Since this is a fundraiser, if you do not wish to pass your ticket onto a friend, or sell it on Facebook, please consider the ticket(s) cost a donation to help with ADSLA’s preservation goals.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? DO I HAVE TO WEAR VINTAGE?
This event is in the spirit of a more formal, stylish time. Please dress accordingly. Vintage style or modern tuxes or coats and ties are expected for the men, vintage or modern style evening or day dresses for the women. No one dressed in casual attire will be admitted. No jeans, Hawaiian shirts, mini-skirts, shorts, flip-flops, tennis shoes, athletic or beach wear and the like. This lowers the tone of the event for everyone.
Men customarily remove their hats when they arrive inside.
People without appropriate attire will not be admitted (you can carry your appropriate attire with you and change inside when you are admitted to the dance at 6:00 PM).
WHERE AND HOW DO I CHECK IN FOR THE BALL?
You will check in on a list at the door. Once doors open at 5:45 p.m. for members and 6:00 p.m. for nonmembers, you just need to show your I.D. to be admitted. Only ticket buyers can pick up tickets. If not everyone in your party arrives at the same time, you can leave the names of the other people in your party with the check in desk.
You may not approach the check in area until exactly 3:30 PM. We will answer all of your questions then. Prior to that we need to set up in order to provide all attendees the best service possible.
At 3:30 p.m., our volunteer staff will be outside the Casino Ballroom to address any questions or issues. If you have reserved a table, please check in at the ADSLA check-in table at the Casino to get your tickets. Once inside the Ballroom, you will check in for your table and be seated by one of our staff.
There will be a designated ADSLA Member line and a Non-Member line. ADSLA Members will be let in first, at 5:45 p.m., along with reserved table guests. The rest of the attendees will be let in by 6:00 pm.
IS THERE SOMEWHERE ON THE ISLAND WHERE I CAN CHANGE MY CLOTHES?
On the second floor of the Casino, there is a large ladies’ lounge and a small men’s lounge. Please note no one will be allowed into the building until 5:45/6:00 p.m. There are a limited number of electric plugs for curling irons, hair dryers, etc.. If you want to change earlier, you may use a public restroom on the island or arrange with a friend who has a hotel room where you can change.
WHERE CAN I PUT MY STUFF WHILE DANCING?
There is a complimentary coat check on the second floor of the Casino. You will see it on your way up to the ballroom and it is conveniently located just outside of the ladies lounge. We encourage you to check all of your bags, coats, and hats (except small purses and cameras).
A Casino staff member will be stationed at the coat check during the event should you need to access your personal belongings during the dance.
If you are on the 11:00pm ferry, we suggest that you pick up your checked belongings before 10:00pm. The line will be long starting at 10:00pm and you may miss the ferry.
IS FOOD AVAILABLE IN THE BALLROOM?
The bar in the ballroom offers a variety of light fare, but does not provide dinner. Items for sale in the past have included wrap sandwiches and cheese and fruit tray. We recommend that you budget some time to dine at one of the many restaurants in Avalon before the ball if you want something more substantial Eateries range from fast food stands to elegant sit-down restaurants. Service can be slow, so be aware when making your plans.
For restaurant info click here.
ARE DRINKS AVAILABLE?
Yes, there is a full bar that accepts cash and Visa/MC.
WHAT IS THE DANCE FLOOR LIKE?
The dance floor may be either very slippery or very sticky, depending on the temperature and other variables. We recommend that you bring some dance shoe options that will work on either type of surface.
WILL YOU BE OBSERVING LINE OF DANCE?
A resounding “yes”! We request that swing and other dancers who are doing spot dances gravitate towards the middle of the dance floor so that those doing traveling dances may move freely in a counter-clockwise direction around the dance floor.
WHAT DANCES WILL BE DANCED?
The band will play the music of the 1920s, 30s & 40s. Most will be in 4-4 time and suitable to Foxtrot and (the more uptempo selections) Swing/Charleston styles. There will also be some Waltz, Tango and Rumba as well as our legendary Conga line.
DO I HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO DANCE TO ATTEND?
No, many non-dancers attend to enjoy the atmosphere and socialize. We do ask those who are not dancing to stay off the dance floor, for safety reasons. During the first band break, we will be offering some complimentary introductory dance lessons, so you can learn some basic steps that can get you out on the floor.
If there is a demand for it, in the weeks before the ball, we will offer a dance class/mixer where you can learn the basics you need to know to take to the floor and perhaps find dance partners for the evening of the dance.
If you would like to learn about the dances that will be danced at the Ball, click here.
DO I NEED TO BRING A PARTNER?
No, you don't need to bring a partner or a date, and many people come stag. As usual with such events, there tend to be a few more women than men, so ladies would be well advised not to wait to be asked, but to feel free to ask gentlemen to dance.
As was done all the time in the Jazz Age, it's also perfectly fine for women to dance with other women and goes without saying that men can dance with men.
We respectfully ask that children under 10 not be allowed by their parents, to roam the dance floor.
MAY I BRING MY CAMERA AND TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS?
Cameras are allowed and encouraged. We hope you share your photos with us! No photos are video can be used for commercial purposes without prior consent. All music is under copyright.
IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?
Generally speaking, this is an adults only event. Please contact us if children or teens who are professional dancers or taking dance lessons, wish to attend with you. For everyone’s safety, no small children are permitted on the dance floor.
I WANT TO SPEND THE DAY AT CATALINA. IS THERE SOMEWHERE I CAN PUT MY EVENING WEAR WHILE I EXPLORE THE ISLAND?
Yes, there is a luggage check at the Catalina Express terminal. The cost varies but is nominal. If you are leaving on the 11:00 pm boat, pick up everything before you come to the dance.
I AM STAYING FOR THE WEEKEND AT CATALINA, ARE THERE OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT ADSLA PLANS?
Yes. A variety of activities from Friday through Sunday are planned. Check our website and Facebook for more information.
I DON'T WANT TO WALK BACK TO THE TERMINAL IN MY DANCING SHOES (IT'S ABOUT A 10-MINUTE WALK). WHAT ARE MY ALTERNATIVES?
A cab ride from the Casino to the ferry terminal costs around $15. Catalina Cab Co. Phone 310-510-0025. Otherwise, change into more comfortable walking shoes and take in the beautiful night view while you stroll back to the boat or hotel. It will take about 15 minutes. In 2024, the cab company assured us that they will be driving until 11:00 PM.
ARE THERE SPECIAL HOTEL DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE?
There are no special Avalon Ball discounts organized by ADSLA. You can find hotel information here as well as on all the usual hotel booking sites and Air BnB. We recommend booking accommodations by February.
ARE THERE FERRY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE?
COSTCO CATALINA EXPRESS CARDS
If you have a Costco membership, you can purchase Catalina Express gift cards with a face value of $100.00 for $80.00 at Costco Warehouse stores (check or call your preferred store, as only select stores carry the Catalina Express gift cards). The gift cards are good for travel to Catalina from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point; The late return boat only returns to the Long Beach terminal. The gift cards are good for full fare travel for Adult, Senior, Military, and Child rates. You can use the cards at the Catalina Express terminal when you pay for your boat trip. The cards can also be used online when you make your reservation.
GROUPON CATALINA FLYER
Groupon has offered a discounted rate for The Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach, good for round trip fares, however, it returns to Newport Beach, so this is only good for people staying over on Catalina after the ball, because there is no late boat back to Newport Beach.
IS THE SILENT FILM HAPPENING?
All questions about the Silent Film event should be addressed to the Catalina Island Museum. This event is a production of the Museum, not ADSLA. In previous years we have made an effort to align the date of the Ball with the date of the film festival as it is enjoyed by our attendees. We also recommend visiting the Museum’s exhibits.
Any other questions or concerns that we haven’t answered here, please feel free to email us at artdeco@artdecola.org
SEE YOU ON THE ISLAND!