There is so much to do and see on the Big Island! An incredible mix of history, cultures, and talents combined with an abundance of agricultural and natural wonders means there’s never of a shortage of unique ways to spend time on the island. From our Holualoa Inn bed and breakfast, you are within easy driving distance of Hilo, Waimea, Volcano Village, Waikoloa and Keauhou. If you are looking to enjoy one of these fun Big Island events or festivals in 2025 & 2026, book a room at our Big Island bed and breakfast.
January 11: Makana – Slack Key Sounds of 1960’s Waikiki, Waimea
Makana is an internationally acclaimed Slack Key guitarist, singer, and composer. Musical performance of pre-1970s Hawaiian slack-key music, honoring Sonny Chillingworth, Don Ho, and Kui Lee. Performance starts at 3 pm at the Kahilu Theater in Waimea (North Hawai’i), about a 55-60 minute scenic drive from Holualoa. More information and tickets available here.
February 1: Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, Waimea
Each year, Waimea celebrates the fleeting bloom of its 60-year-old Japanese cherry trees with hanami, or “flower viewing,” as well as cultural activities throughout South Kohala. Events include Japanese and Hawaiian musical performances, food tastings at the Kohala resorts, and hands-on demonstrations of traditional tea ceremony, origami, bonsai, and mochi pounding.
Headquartered from Church Row Park and Parker Ranch Center, the free Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is planning in-person festivities from 9 am to 3 pm. Food preparation by local chefs and craft vendors. A free transportation shuttle between Church Row Park and Parker Ranch Center will be provided, though walking is encouraged. For more information, call 808-961-8706.
February 8: Wiliwili Festival, Waikoloa Village
The Wiliwili Festival is a free public educational event and includes guided hikes, exhibits, workshops, food vendors, native plant giveaway, and silent auction. Wiliwili are keystone species in the lowland dry forest and this year’s festival celebrates these essential trees in their natural environment. Guided tours of the forest will be offered by Hawai’i Forest & Trail every half hour. HFT’s knowledgeable guides are ambassadors of the forest and help collect millions of native seeds through their weekly giveback tour that visits the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve around 20-30 minutes from our bed and breakfast.
February 15-16: Pana’ewa Stampede Rodeo, Hilo
Celebrate Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture during this two-day Hawaiian-style rodeo at the Pana’ewa Equestrian Center. The event features uniquely Hawaiian techniques, and popular sports such as cattle roping, double mugging, and bull riding. Local food and craft sales, rodeo merchandise and a Paniolo “Hawaiian Cowboy” Cultural Tent. For more information or to buy tickets, visit here.
February 22-23, South Kona Artist Collective Studio Tours, South Kona
A self-guided tour through the studios of South Kona artists and collaborators, where each artist’s studio is marked on a map of the Kona and South Kona area. See art demonstrations and purchase local art directly from the artists. A wide range of fine art and small handcrafted gifts and cards are available for sale. From 9 am to 4 pm each day. For details, visit here.
February 27- March 1: Kona Steel Guitar Festival, Keauhou
The third annual Kona Steel Guitar Festival is a free event, held at the Outrigger Kona Resort. Event brings together legendary steel guitarists for a celebration of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar and provides opportunities for Kona area steel guitarists to join steel guitarists from other parts of Hawai‘i and the US to share their talents.
March 8: Kona Brewers Festival, Kailua Kona
The Kona Brewers Festival raises funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations through the celebration of handcrafted brews and local cuisine. General admission tickets include a commemorative glass mug, brew-tasting coupons, food samplings, an afternoon of live music, and a Trash Fashion Show.
April 6: Lavaman Triathlon, Waikoloa Beach Resort
The race starts with a 1500-meter (.9 miles) Pacific Ocean swim, followed a 40-kilometer (24.8 miles) trek and concludes with a 10-kilometer (6.2 miles) run. The track takes athletes through a lava field trail, onto fast street sections, and then a tour through the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort grounds. The last mile finishes on a sandy beach trail to the finish line. Learn more or register here.
April 10-12: Big Island Chocolate Festival, Kailua Kona
Hosted at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, the Big Island Chocolate Festival includes factory farm tours, cacao farm seminars, student cooking competitions, culinary demonstrations, a fund-raising gala, and a silent auction. 2025 theme is “Cirque de Chocolate” and includes unlimited tastings at 15-18 chef food stations featuring sweet and savory offerings, along with unlimited beer and wine pours. This year includes a range of ticket options including VIP, general admission, experiences, and seminars and opportunities to participate in chocolate-centric events and tours.
April 12: North Kohala Community Resource Center Charity Golf Tournament, North Kohala
Check-in for the four-person scramble tournament begins at 7:30am, shotgun start at 8:30am. Cost is $180 per person and includes range balls, shared cart, green fees, numerous on-course and lucky number prizes and hot buffet lunch provided by Mauna Kea Resort. Online registration opens early 2025.
April 20-26: Merrie Monarch Hula Festival and Competition, Hilo
The Merrie Monarch Festival is dedicated to the memory of King Kalakaua, the last king of the Kingdom of Hawai’i, known as the “Merrie Monarch.” The Festival hosts a week-long celebration of music, crafts, art, demonstrations, and a hula competition. Includes parade, Hoike Night and craft fair. For more information about the 2025 festival, check here.
April 24-26: Hawaii Arts, Crafts, and Food Festival, Hilo
This event celebrates the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawaii’s diverse people, its environment, and its food. Includes live performances and music. Free admission, 9 am to 5 pm.
May 1: Hilo Lei Day Festival, Hilo
The Hilo Lei Day Festival is a free event to preserve and perpetuate the traditional Hawaiian terminology, culture, craftsmanship, and ecology of the lei. Features live Hawaiian music, hula halau, lei making demonstrations and more. Help support their work by downloading a copy of Hua ʻŌlelo Lei: A Lei Maker’s Dictionary. Takes place at Kalākaua Park.
May 3: Kona Orchid Society Mother’s Day Show and Sale, Kailua Kona
Event includes a display of blooming orchids by Kona Orchid Society members and a sale presenting a wide selection of healthy plants from Hawai’i Island growers. Numerous orchid varieties, cactus, succulents, air plants, anthuriums, heliconia, bonsai, and protea. Sales include crafted merchandise: hanging planters, arts and crafts, jewelry, pottery, designer purses, aprons and kimonos, painting, stained glass, stoneware, and more. Educational opportunities including repotting demonstrations, Q&A on plant pests and diseases, and more. Talk story with growers and on-site master gardeners for tried-and-true growing tips. Takes place at the Old Kona Airport Pavilion, $2 admission.
May 25-31: Ka’u Coffee Festival, Ka’u
The Ka’u Coffee Festival boasts a diverse line-up of events celebrating the Ka’u coffee industry including tastings, open-house, recipe contests, hikes, star-gazing and more.
May 31: Big Island Jazz and Blues Festival, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Oceanfront performances from 5 to 9 pm, with Grammy Award winners, Grammy-nominated artists, Music Hall of Fame members and jazz and blues legends. Takes place at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, gates open at 4:30 pm. For this year’s lineup or to purchase tickets, visit here.
June 6-8: Hawaii Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival, Kailua Kona
A celebration of Hawaii Island and its beauty as a cultural melting pot, the Hawaii Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival is an experience for both residents and visitors. The multi-generational event includes members of the community from all spheres of influence showcasing the gifts, talents, and cultures of Hawaii. Includes food, fashion, cultural expressions, hula, and cultural workshops. Takes place at the King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriot. For in-person ticket information visit here.
June 11: King Kamehameha Day, Island-wide
State-wide celebrations honoring King Kamehameha the Great, the monarch who first established the unified Kingdom of Hawaii. Celebrations include floral parades and performances. In Kona, Floral Parade goes from 9 am to 11:30 am, followed by a celebration at Huliheʻe Palace from 11:30 am to 3 pm. Featuring more than 100 riders on horseback, the annual parade and ho’olaule’a (music and art festival) will take place in Historic Kailua Village. For more details on this year’s parade, visit here.
In the district of Kohala, near his birthplace, long strings of lei are draped over the statue of King Kamehameha in Kapa’au. Blessings, hula, history, and music. Includes a Floral Parade with historic and traditional Pa’u horseback riders between the towns of Hawi and Kapa’au. For more information, visit here.
July 26: Volcano’s ‘Ohi’a Lehua Half Marathon Run, Volcano Village
The course takes runners up Wright Road through an endemic ‘ohi’a forest with scenic views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. More info can be found here.
August 28-September 1: Annual Queen Lili’uokalani Outrigger Long-Distance Canoe Race, Kailua Kona
The world’s largest outrigger canoe race! The event’s signature 18-mile long-distance race departs from Kailua Bay. Other activities include Historic Kailua Village Cultural Walk; International Paddlers’ Reception; arts, crafts and food booths; Torchlight Parade; and the Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Race Lu’au. For more information, visit here.
September 12-14: Kona Pride Festival, Kailua Kona
Series of events celebrating and enhancing the visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied community to promote LGBTQ awareness, equality, and support. A weekend of DJs, vendors, entertainment performances, drag, dancing, and parties. For full schedule of events, visit here.
September TBD: Aloha Shirt Festival and Vintage Era Exhibit, Keauhou
The festival focuses on Hawai’i’s wearable arts and the local garment industry offering vintage Aloha Wear exhibits, sales, appraisals, contemporary designers, vintage treasures, and repurposed clothing collections all showcased in exciting fashion runway shows. Takes place at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa. For more information, full schedule, and tickets, visit here.
October 4: Hawaii Island Festival of Birds, Hilo
Celebrate Hawaii’s unique blend of birds – from native honeycreepers found nowhere else in the world to common backyard birds from five continents. This full-day event includes guest speakers, a fair featuring native bird artwork, designs, crafts, and hula. The festival supports native bird hospital care and conservation efforts. More details to follow, visit here for more information.
October TBD: Run for the Dry Forest, Pu’uwa’awa’a
A run through the dry forest, at Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a! The Run for the Dry Forest is a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and 1/4-mile keiki run. The 10K run starts at 7:45am and is an “extreme trail running experience” featuring a 1200 ft. elevation gain in the first 3 miles. The 5K starts at 8 am and is suitable for most people and jogging strollers. The keiki run starts at 9:30am and is perfect for little legs as well as parents. There will also be educational booths and a silent auction with items from local businesses. Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a is home to several species of endangered birds and many endangered plants, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Proceeds from the race events contribute to conservation of these species. Registration is required.
October 11: Women’s Ironman World Championship Competition, Kailua Kona
Female professional and age-group triathletes from around the world compete for the Ironman World Championship. The course takes athletes through barren lava fields and provides the setting for the ultimate test of strength, grit and heart while calling upon athletes to find the spirit of aloha within themselves. To volunteer, show support, or watch the races visit here.
October 17-18: Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, Hawaii Island
A three-weekend epicurean experience that spans three islands each fall, the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is the largest food festival in Hawaii. Co-founded by two of Hawaii’s own James Beard Award-winning chefs—Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong—the Festival showcases Hawaii’s rich agricultural diversity and homegrown culinary talent through world-class culinary experiences.
October TBD: Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style, Keauhou
An afternoon of music slack key guitar musical performances. Slack Key Guitar is an indigenous guitar art form that originated on Hawaii island in 1832. Performers include Master Slack Key Guitarist Ledward Kaapana, Sonny Lim, Stephen Inglis, Bobby Moderow, and many others. The event takes place from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa and includes food trucks and craft sales. For more information, visit here.
October TBD: East Hawaii Jazz & Blues Festival, Hilo
Event takes place from 1 pm to 6 pm at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. All proceeds benefit Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial community Projects. For tickets, visit here.
November 7-16: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Kailua Kona.
Celebrate the harvest as Kona coffee farms offer a firsthand look at growing this world-famous crop. Coffee tastings, food, hands-on cultural events, competitions, workshops, parades, farm tours, live music, art activities, exhibitions and demonstrations, all help tell the story of Kona’s rich coffee history. For a full schedule of events, information, and tickets, check here.
November TBD: ‘Ukulele & Slackkey Guitar Festival Ho’olaulea, Waimea
Featuring performances by featuring Jeff Peterson, Sean Parks, Bittni Paiva, Ho‘opono Wong, Kainani Kahaunaele. Musicians will take the stage, talk story, share their experiences as Hawaiian music artists, and put on an incredible concert that honors our slack key and paniolo heritage of Waimea and Hawai‘i. Event starts at 7 pm, find more information and tickets here.
December TBD: Holualoa Village Music & Light Festival, Holualoa
The annual lighting of the village Christmas Tree in Holualoa is celebrated with an evening of music, open galleries along the main street, and an appearance by Santa. Everything can be reached with a quick walk from the Holualoa Inn, and the festival makes for a charming evening stroll among the artist’s shops and music venues. For more information call the Holualoa Village Ohana at (808) 322-8484.
Big Island Events All Year Long
First Fridays in Holualoa, Holualoa
The first Friday of every month, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, Holualoa Village comes together for a block party. Visit the town’s art galleries and boutiques, with live music, food, and a chance to mingle with fellow art and culture lovers. Just steps away from the Holualoa Inn Bed and Breakfast, in the heart of Kona coffee country. Rain or shine.
Aloha Friday Cultural Demonstrations, Volcano Village
Aloha Friday art and cultural demonstrations are held Fridays each week from 11 am to 1 pm on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Includes demonstrations and workshops such as lei making, textile stamping, lauhala weaving, and ukulele performances and lessons. Free and family friendly. For full schedule of events, check here.
Hawaiian Music and Hula Show, Keauhou
Every Friday at Keauhou Shopping Center. Enjoy a free Hawaiian music and hula show in the center courtyard, from 6 to 7 pm.
Kokua Kailua Monthly Stroll and Marketplace, Kailua Kona
Monthly village stroll on Alii Drive, one Sunday each month from 1 pm to 6 pm. Kona’s Historic Kailua Village closes to vehicular traffic and becomes a pedestrian-only outdoor marketplace for all ages. Highlights include nearly 100 vendor booths showcasing the work of local artisans and crafters, musicians, and merchants offering shopping and dining options. For dates, check here.
