Hilo Annual Events

Hilo Annual Events

From festivals with culinary creations you can try, to festivals with vendors selling their local handcrafted goods, don’t miss these annual events in Hilo. 

*Things change, so please check in with the organizers of these events for details.

February

At the Hillo Annual Events, a young boy dressed in western attire is in mid-throw with a lasso aimed at a bull-shaped practice dummy. Nearby, other children, also dressed in western clothing, hold lassos and look on as adults stand in the background. The scene is outdoors on a sunny day.
Photo: LA Times

The Panaʻewa Stampede rodeo, a two-day event during Presidents’ Day Weekend, highlights the talent, skill, and dedication of local cowboys, cowgirls, and keiki. This annual celebration features a vibrant mix of shows, vendors, and activities. It showcases traditional paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) skills like po’o wai u, as well as popular rodeo events including bull riding, cattle roping and double mugging.

April

At the Hillo Annual Events, a group of dancers dressed in matching traditional Hawaiian attire, wearing long dresses and head leis, perform a synchronized hula dance on a stage with a large portrait and floral arrangement in the background. An audience watches from the sidelines.
Photo: Courtesy of Tracey Niimi

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a lively annual hula event that kicks off on Easter Sunday and runs throughout the week, from April 20 to 26 this year. Honoring King David Kalākaua, who reigned over the Hawaiian Nation from 1874 to 1891, the festival includes an internationally acclaimed hula competition, parades, Hawaiian art fairs, and lively performances. This celebration is committed to preserving and promoting Hawaiian culture and traditions.

May

A row of colorful flower leis, featuring white, yellow, pink, red, and green flowers. The leis are hung closely together, creating a vibrant and festive display reminiscent of Hilo Annual Events. The background is blurred, focusing the attention on the leis.
Photo: Courtesy of Adobe Stock

The mission of the Hilo Lei Day Festival is to preserve and promote traditional Hawaiian terminology, culture, craftsmanship, and the ecological aspects of lei-making. The Hilo Lei Day Festival is free and open to the public.

August

A display of various handcrafted wooden items at a market stall, including bowls, intricate sculptures of birds, and a string of wooden beads, forms part of the Hillo Annual Events. The backdrop features a woven fabric, contributing to the artisanal and traditional ambiance of the setup.
Photo: Big Island Now

The Annual Hana No‘eau Hawaiian Arts Festival aims to preserve Hawaiian culture and arts by providing a platform for master artists and producers to share their talents and insights. Hana No‘eau, meaning “art,” encompasses a wide range of creativity, including visual, literary, and performing arts that connect past, present, and future. In addition to cultural demonstrations, the event features top Hawaiian artisans and craftspeople.

October

Close-up of a gourmet appetizer arrangement featuring pieces of seared meat on small bases of fluffy white buns, garnished with pickled vegetables and herbs, served in brown paper trays—perfect for enjoying at Hillo Annual Events.
Photo: A Taste of Hilo website

Since 1998, the annual A Taste of Hilo has highlighted the island’s top chefs, restaurants, and beverage artisans. Guests can indulge in a variety of sweet and savory dishes and sample locally crafted beer, wine, and sake. This fundraiser benefits the Hawai’i Community College culinary program.

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