Christmas on Catalina

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There is always a lot to do on Catalina Island. With the weather turning bleak elsewhere, it is always sunny, bright, and energetic on Catalina. Click here for the Catalina Chamber website with lots of things to do The upcoming events include the fourth annual Catalina Island Museum Holiday Christmas concert on the island. This holiday tradition continues with the Stanford Symphony Orchestra performing a variety of classical music at the Historic Catalina Casino Building. Under the direction of conductor Anna Wittstruck, the ensemble will perform classical pieces by popular composers: Claude Debussy, Johannes Brahms, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Edward Elgar, and Johann Strauss II. Special guest Chen Zhao from the San Francisco Symphony, will perform a violin solo by Pablo de Sarasate. The Holiday Symphony Concert is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. Seating is first come, first choice. Another event for the season will be the Christmas feast at the Avalon Grille 'Tis the season for a holiday feast! It will be a three-course meal offered on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Guests can order the complete special holiday meal or a la carte or choose anything from the regular dinner menu. Starter Yukon Gold Celeriac Veloute, Main Course Choice of New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Five Spice Muscovy Duck, or Pan Seared Lake Superior White Fish, Dessert Milk Chocolate Peppermint Pot de Crème. Reservations are recommended. Visit OpenTable.com or call 310-510-7494. And there is the New Year’s Eve at Harbor Reef 2016. You can join the festivities at the Harbor Reef Restaurant in Two Harbors. The annual New Year's Eve celebration will take place on Saturday, December 31. A special New Year's Eve menu is on offer from 5 - 9 p m., as well as a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Live DJ from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. Looking for more to do on Catalina Island? Be sure to check the Catalina Chamber of Commerce web site, the best source on the island for event information. It’s at www.CatalinaChamber.com. And get there direct from San Pedro on Catalina Express. www.CatalinaExpress.com. -By Veronica Felipe