62nd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival 2025

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural event held in Hilo, Hawaiʻi each spring, featuring Hawaiian culture and a premier hula competition. The Festival is a domestic non-profit organization registered with the State of Hawaiʻi Department of commerce and Consumer Affairs.

The Hawai’i Island Chamber of Commerce began the festival in 1963, and the private Merrie Monarch Festival community organization took on the responsibilities of running the event five years after. The central purpose of the Festival is the perpetuation, preservation, and promotion of the art of hula and the Hawaiian culture.

Sunday  April 20

Hoʻolauleʻa (celebration)

9:00 a.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

Free admission to watch performances by our local hālau.

Monday  April 21

Free Mid-day Entertainment

Daily (Monday through Friday) 12 & 1 p.m.

Entertainment at:
12:00 p.m. The Grand Naniloa Hotel
1:00 p.m. The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Tuesday  April 22

Hilo Hula Tuesdays by Destination Hilo

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Mo’oheau Park Bandstand

Free admission to watch performances by our local hālau. Alu Like’s Hālau Ke Ola Pono No Na Kūpuna

Free Mid-day Entertainment

Daily (Monday through Friday) 12 & 1 p.m.

Entertainment at:
12:00 p.m. The Grand Naniloa Hotel
1:00 p.m. The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Wednesday April 23

Hilo Hula by Destination Hilo

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Mo’oheau Park Bandstand

Ben Ka’ili and Friends special – Music & hula

Free Mid-day Entertainment

Daily (Monday through Friday) 12 & 1 p.m.

Entertainment at:
12:00 p.m. The Grand Naniloa Hotel
1:00 p.m. The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Hōʻike Performances

6:00 p.m. at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium

An exhibition night of hula and folk dance from around the Pacific. The performances are free to the public, no tickets required.

Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

An annual favorite, this free event features local artists, crafters, and entertainment.

Thursday  April 24

Free Mid-day Entertainment

Daily (Monday through Friday) 12 & 1 p.m.

Entertainment at:
12:00 p.m. The Grand Naniloa Hotel
1:00 p.m. The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Miss Aloha Hula

6:00 p.m. at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium

Hālau hula perform modern style dances, followed by an awards presentation for all group winners.

Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

An annual favorite, this free event features local artists, crafters, and entertainment.

Friday  April 25

Free Mid-day Entertainment

Daily (Monday through Friday) 12 & 1 p.m.

Entertainment at:
12:00 p.m. The Grand Naniloa Hotel
1:00 p.m. The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Group Hula Kahiko

6:00 p.m. at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium

Hālau hula perform ancient style dances.

Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

An annual favorite, this free event features local artists, crafters, and entertainment.

Saturday  April 26

Merrie Monarch Royal Parade

10:30 a.m. through downtown Hilo

One of the festival’s most entertaining and fun events for the entire family, the parade begins and ends at Pauahi St. (Kilauea Ave. — Keawe St. — Waiānuenue Ave. — Kamehameha Ave.).

Group Hula ʻAuana & Awards

6:00 p.m. at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium

Hālau hula perform modern style dances, followed by an awards presentation for all group winners.

Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

An annual favorite, this free event features local artists, crafters, and entertainment.

Sunday  April 27

More information coming soon