2025 Big Island Events
A Year-Round Guide to Hawaii Island's Vibrant Festivals and Celebrations
The Big Island of Hawaii, renowned for its diverse landscapes and rich culture, offers a year-round calendar of exciting events. From cultural festivals and sporting competitions to culinary delights and artistic expressions, there's always something happening on this captivating island.
January
JAN 19th 12:00PM | 44th Annual Martin Luther King Celebration
Free lunch at Old Airport pavilion followed by music, dance, and artwork made by local school children. As the struggle for human and civil rights continues to challenge our nation and the world, this event provides our community with the hope and encouragement needed during these challenging times.
JAN 20th | National Park Free Day Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King
No entry fee at all National Parks!
February
FEB 1st 9:00-3:00 PM | Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival
Immerse yourself in Japanese and Hawaiian culture with hanami (flower viewing), traditional music, food, and craft demonstrations. Learn more here.
FEB 1st 9:00AM - 1:00PM | Plant People Road Show
Five friendly mom-and-pop nurseries from the island's different regions share their secrets for "happy plants. The spring show features blooming flower stems and potted plants perfect for Valentine's gift-giving. Learn more here.
FEB 8th 9:00-3:00PM | Wiliwili Festival
Explore the Waikoloa Dry Forest and learn about the importance of the wiliwili tree through guided hikes, exhibits, and workshops. Guided tours of the forest will be offered by Hawai’i Forest & Trail. 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. Learn more here.
FEB 15th 7:30am | Race for the Reef 2025 at Kahalu’u Beach Park
Raise funds to provide FREE chemical-free sunscreen to visitors at Kahalu'u Bay to help save the reef at one of the Big Island's premier snorkel spots. Learn more here.
FEB 15th & 16th | Pana'ewa Stampede Rodeo
Experience the thrill of Hawaiian-style rodeo with exciting events like cattle roping, double mugging, and bull riding. Learn more here.
FEB 17th 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration
Centuries-old tradition essential to New Year's festivities in Hawai'i, the colorful Chinese Lion Dancers perform acrobatic feats and leaps, interacting with the audience and parade through Queens' Marketplace from door to door. There will be live entertainment around the shops and the opportunity to feed the Chinese lions to bring good fortune into the New Year beginning Highlights of the event include nonstop entertainment and a spectacular Lion Dance.
FEB 22nd 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM | 14th Annual Grow Hawaiian Festival
Celebrating Hawaiian plants and their uses for sustainability. Demonstrations, displays, hands-on activities, garden tours, plant sales, music, food, and information tables. The Festival brings together Hawaiian artists and cultural practitioners, conservation professionals, botanists, and students of Hawaiian native plants and ethnobotany. Learn more here.
FEB 22nd & 23rd | South Kona Artist Collective Studio Tours
A self-guided tour through the studios of South Kona artists, where each artist’s studio is marked on a map. Discover the creative talents and purchase unique handcrafted pieces directly from their studios. Learn more here.
FEB 27th - MAR 1st | Kona Steel Guitar Festival
Enjoy free performances by legendary steel guitarists and celebrate this iconic Hawaiian instrument at the Outrigger Kona Resort. Learn more here.
March
MAR 8th | Kona Brewers Festival
Sample a variety of locally crafted beers and support local non-profit organizations. Live music, food, and a trash fashion show. Learn more here.
April
APR 6th | Lavaman Triathlon
Witness the incredible athleticism of triathletes as they compete through challenging lava fields and stunning coastal scenery. Learn more or register here.
APR 10th - 12th | Big Island Chocolate Festival
Indulge in a chocolate lover's paradise with farm tours, tastings, culinary demonstrations, and a wide array of chocolate-inspired treats. 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. Learn more here.
APR 20 - 26th | Merrie Monarch Hula Festival
Experience the pinnacle of hula competition and immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture through dance, music, and traditional arts. Learn more here.
APR 24th & 25th | Hawaii Arts, Crafts, and Food Festival
Discover the vibrant arts and crafts scene of Hawaii Island and savor delicious local cuisine. Learn more here.
May
MAY 1st | Hilo Lei Day Festival
Celebrate the art and preserve the culture of lei making with live music, demonstrations, and a vibrant display of colorful leis. Learn more here.
MAY 3rd | Kona Orchid Society Mother's Day Show and Sale
Find stunning orchids and other beautiful plants at this annual sale, perfect for Mother's Day gifts—educational opportunities including repotting demonstrations and Q&A on plant pests and diseases. Learn from master gardeners for tried-and-true growing tips. Learn more here.
MAY 31st | Big Island Jazz and Blues Festival
Enjoy world-class jazz and blues performances at the picturesque Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Learn more here.
June
JUN 1st - 8th | Ka'u Coffee Festival
Explore the world of Ka'u coffee with farm tours, tastings, star gazing, and cultural events celebrating this renowned Hawaiian coffee region. Learn more here.
JUN 6th - 8th | Hawaii Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival
A celebration of Hawaii Island and its beauty as a cultural melting pot. Local food, fashion, hula, cultural workshops, gifts. Learn more here.
JUN 11th | King Kamehameha Day
Participate in island-wide celebrations honoring King Kamehameha the Great, the first monarch to unify the Hawaiian Islands. In Kona, Floral Parade goes from 9 am to 11:30 am featuring more than 100 riders on horseback, followed by a music and art festival at Huliheʻe Palace from 11:30 am to 3 pm. Learn more here.
July
JUL 27th | Volcano's 'Ohi'a Lehua Half Marathon Run
Run through a stunning 'ohi'a forest with breathtaking views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Learn more or register here.
August
AUG 29th - SEP 2nd Annual Queen Lili'uokalani Outrigger Long-Distance Canoe Race
Witness this iconic 18 mile long-distance canoe race and enjoy the accompanying cultural festivities like the Torchlight Parade; and the Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Race Lu’au. Learn more here.
September
TBD | Kona Pride Festival
Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with a vibrant festival featuring events, entertainment, and parties. Learn more here.
TBD | Aloha Shirt Festival
Explore the history and artistry of the iconic Aloha Shirt, a symbol of Hawaiian style and culture. Runway shows, silent auction, vintage exhibit, pop-up marketplace. Learn more here.
October
OCT 4 | Hawaii Island Festival of Birds
Learn about Hawaii's unique birdlife through presentations, exhibits, and a bird fair featuring native bird artwork, crafts, and hula. The festival supports native bird hospital care and conservation efforts. Learn more here.
OCT TBD | Run for the Dry Forest
Support dry forest conservation through this scenic run and help protect this unique ecosystem with a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and 1/4-mile keiki run. Learn more here.
OCT 11th | Women's Ironman World Championship
Witness the ultimate test of endurance as female triathletes from around the world compete for the Ironman World Championship title. To volunteer, show support, or watch the races visit here.
OCT 18th | Hawaii Food and Wine Festival
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. Learn more here.
November
NOV TBD | Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival
lack Key Guitar is an indigenous guitar art form that originated on Hawaii island in 1832. Enjoy the soulful sounds of traditional Hawaiian music with performances by renowned slack key guitarists. Learn more here.
NOV TBD | East Hawaii Jazz & Blues Festival
Savor live jazz and blues music while supporting local veterans' community projects. Learn more here.
NOV 7th - 16th | Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
Celebrate the harvest season with farm tours, tastings, and cultural events showcasing the rich history of Kona coffee. For a full schedule of events, information, and tickets, check here.
NOV TBD | 'Ukulele & Slackkey Guitar Festival Ho'olaulea
Musicians 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. Learn more here.
December
DEC 6th | Holualoa Village Music & Light Festival
Enjoy an evening of music, art, and holiday cheer in the charming village of Holualoa. Special appearance by Santa. Learn more here.
Year-Round Events
First Fridays in Holualoa: Explore the vibrant art galleries and boutiques of Holualoa Village while enjoying live music and refreshments.
Aloha Friday Cultural Demonstrations: Learn about Hawaiian culture through hands-on demonstrations and workshops at the Volcano Art Center.
Hawaiian Music and Hula Show: Enjoy free live music and hula performances at the Keauhou Shopping Center.
Kokua Kailua Monthly Stroll and Marketplace: Explore the vibrant Kailua Village with live music, local vendors, and delicious food.