63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival

The Merrie Monarch Festival is the most celebrated event on the Big Island, a week-long hula celebration and competition held annually in Hilo. Festivities include exhibitions, musical entertainment, arts and crafts fairs, and the prestigious hula competition featuring ancient (kahiko) and modern (ʻauana) hula styles. The festival honors King David Kalākaua, known as the "Merrie Monarch," who is credited with reviving many Hawaiian cultural practices, including hula. The 63rd Annual festival opens on Easter Sunday 2026.

Date: April 5–11, 2026 (Miss Aloha Hula April 9; Group Hula Kahiko April 10; Group Hula ʻAuana & Awards April 11)
Location: Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium, Hilo
Website: https://www.merriemonarch.com/

Official Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair

Coinciding with the Merrie Monarch Festival, this arts and crafts fair features over 150 artisans from across the state, showcasing hand-woven lauhala hats, lei humu papa, Polynesian-inspired crafts, and local delicacies. The fair provides a festive atmosphere with live performances, hula demonstrations, and music. Free admission.

When: April 8–11, 2026 (Wed–Sat, 9am–5pm)
Where: Hilo
More Info: https://www.merriemonarch.com/

13th Annual Big Island Chocolate Festival

Chocolate enthusiasts will delight in the annual Big Island Chocolate Festival, a multi-day event celebrating cacao. The 2026 theme is "Chocolate in Paradise."

The festival features cacao farm tours, culinary demonstrations, and seminars led by esteemed chocolatiers and chefs. The highlight is the Festival Gala on April 25, where attendees can savor an array of sweet and savory chocolate creations crafted by local chefs, accompanied by wine and beer tastings. The evening is enhanced with live entertainment, a silent auction, and a DJ.

When: April 23–25, 2026
Where: Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
More Info: https://bigislandchocolatefestival.com/

Annual Hawaii Arts, Crafts & Food Festival

Coinciding with the Merrie Monarch Festival, the Annual Hawai'i Arts, Crafts & Food Festival is a multi-day event celebrating the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawaii's diverse people, environment, and food. The festival features over 100 artisans, crafters, and food vendors from all over the state, offering a wide array of handcrafted items and local delicacies. Live performances and music throughout the event provide a festive atmosphere for attendees. Admission is free.

Date: Expected during Merrie Monarch week, April 2026 (check website for confirmed dates)
Location: Nani Mau Gardens, 421 Makalika Street, Hilo
Website: http://www.hawaiiartsandcraftsfestival.com/

31st Annual Kona Brewers Festival

Originally scheduled for mid-March, the Kona Brewers Festival was rescheduled to April 4, 2026 after a Kona low storm disrupted the original date. The 31st annual festival brings together craft breweries from across Hawaiʻi and the mainland for an afternoon of beer, local food, and live music at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona. Proceeds benefit local environmental and community organizations.

Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Kailua-Kona
Website: https://konabrewersfestival.com/

April 2026 on the Big Island is a month rich with cultural celebrations and community gatherings. From the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo to the indulgent Big Island Chocolate Festival in Waikoloa and the rescheduled Kona Brewers Festival in Kailua-Kona, visitors can engage in events that span hula, cacao, craft beer, and Hawaiian arts. Complementing these is the Hawaiʻi Arts, Crafts & Food Festival at Nani Mau Gardens during Merrie Monarch week, which showcases island artisans and food vendors.