Annual Events
Avila's yearly events, season by season, with what to expect at each.
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- Summer staple
- Farmers Market, Fridays, May to September
- Fourth of July
- Doggie Parade at the Community Center, 11 a.m.
- Fall
- Outrigger Expo and City to the Sea Half Marathon in October
- Dates
- Change each year, so check the organizer's link
Avila Beach's yearly calendar follows the seasons. Summer brings the Friday farmers market and lighthouse concerts. July 4 brings a doggie parade. Fall is for outrigger canoes, a half marathon that finishes by the beach, and the end of the concert season. Dates change from year to year, so use the links to confirm before you plan a trip. For what's on right now, see This Month in Avila.
Spring and summer
Avila Beach Farmers Market
The town's biggest weekly event. Every Friday evening in season, the promenade fills with local produce, artisan food, crafts, food from local restaurants and live music. 2026 was its 24th season, running May 1 to September 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. Pets aren't allowed. Parking was $9 in 2026, and the free trolley gives riders a market buck to spend.
More on our Farmers Market page
Live at the Lighthouse
A summer concert series at the Point San Luis Lighthouse. The 2026 series sold out, with shows into late September. Watch the lighthouse website for next year's lineup.
pointsanluislighthouse.org
Fourth of July Doggie Parade
A morning parade for dogs and their people, hosted by the Avila Beach Civic Association. Check-in is at the table in front of the Community Center, and pre-registration is a $5 suggested donation. The parade starts at 11 a.m. More dog-friendly ideas are on Avila with Dogs.
Avila Beach Community Center, 191 San Miguel St
Summer concerts at The Avila
The Avila (formerly Avila Beach Golf Resort) runs a summer concert series under the Avila Live name, with oceanfront concerts and festivals through the season. Mulligan's, its bar and grill, has live music every week.
6464 Ana Bay Rd ยท theavilaca.com
Fall
BreakaWave Rodeo on the Beach
A beach rodeo with breakaway roping and saddle bronc riding, plus live music, raising money for college rodeo athletes. The 6th annual event came to Avila for the first time in September 2026, after earlier years farther south near Oceano. Check whether it returns to Avila next year.
Avila Beach Outrigger Expo
Hosted by the Pale Kai Outrigger Canoe Club. Friday evening brings check-in and a paddlers' happy hour at Locals Taproom. On Saturday, crews launch near the volleyball courts on Front Street for an open-ocean paddle of 10 miles or more. Solo paddlers can sign up and get placed in a crew. In 2026 it ran October 9 and 10.
City to the Sea Half Marathon & 5K
A point-to-point half marathon from Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo to Avila, plus a 5K that starts and finishes in Avila. Runners finish at the festival grounds at The Avila, where there's a finish line festival. In 2026 it ran October 18, with packet pickup the day before.
citytothesearun.com
Winter
Victorian Christmas at the lighthouse
The Point San Luis Lighthouse runs seasonal tours with a Victorian Christmas theme, with hot drinks and treats. Dates are posted on the lighthouse website.
pointsanluislighthouse.org
Winemaker dinners
Avila's tasting rooms host occasional winemaker dinners. For example, Alapay Cellars has a Lobster & Legacy winemaker dinner set for February 20, 2027, limited to 36 guests. See Wine Tasting for the tasting rooms.
Planning around events
Big event days bring more traffic and fill Avila's parking. Read Parking and Getting Here & Getting Around, and book a room early (see Where to Stay). The Avila Beach Pier is mostly closed for repairs, so plan pier walks at Harford Pier.
Local tips
- Ride the free Avila-Pismo trolley on summer Fridays and weekends to skip the farmers market parking hunt.
- Pre-register your dog for the Fourth of July parade on the Civic Association's website.
- Live at the Lighthouse concerts sold out in 2026, so buy early when next summer's series goes on sale.
- For this month's dates, see This Month in Avila.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Avila Beach Farmers Market?
Friday evenings in season. In 2026 it ran May 1 to September 25, 4 to 8 p.m., on the promenade.
Does Avila Beach have a Fourth of July event?
Yes. The Avila Beach Civic Association holds a doggie parade on July 4 at 11 a.m., starting at the Community Center on San Miguel Street.
Where does the City to the Sea Half Marathon finish?
The half marathon starts at Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo and finishes at the Avila Beach Resort festival grounds. The 5K starts and finishes in Avila.
Are there concerts in Avila Beach?
Yes. The Point San Luis Lighthouse holds a summer concert series, and The Avila books concerts, festivals and weekly live music at Mulligan's.
