Festivals and Annual Events

The island of Hawaii hosts a variety of fun, beautiful and inspiring festivals each year. Whether you love culture, music, food or competitive sports, there’s plenty to experience here.

Music & Art Festivals

Visitors can experience a wide range of music and art events, where the mythical and colorful stories of ancient Hawaii are told through song, dance, film and more. Some of the top events include The Big Island Hawaiiana Music Festival in July, which focuses on ukulele, slack key, steel guitar, and traditional falsetto singing, and the Merrie Monarch Festival in spring (the week following Easter Sunday), which features Hawaii’s premier hula competition.

Food Festivals

Foodie’s can satisfy their appetite at a variety of festivals where the culinary flavors of the land are gathered and prepared in a variety of traditional and contemporary fashions. We recommend Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range in October, a deliciously diverse festival that features over 30 of Hawaii’s best chefs. At this festival, guests can taste everything from grass-fed beef to fresh island vegetables. And if you want a quick jolt of energy, don’t miss the annual Kau Coffee Festival held every May or the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival held in November in venues throughout Kona. The Kona Brewer's Fest in March, Big Island Chocolate Festival in May, and Hawaii Food & Wine Festival in October and November are also not to be missed.

Culture & Sports Events

Cultural celebrations and sporting events also popular in Hawaii. The Kamehameha Festival in June features everything from a Hawaiian chant competition to food, arts and crafts. Visitors also enjoy the Kona Portuguese Festival, the Hilo Wayfinding & Navigation Festival, and the internationally-renowned IRONMAN World Championship in October.