63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival 2026

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 5

Hoʻolauleʻa (celebration)

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

Free admission to watch performances by our local hālau.

Monday  April 6

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

Hilo Aloha

10:00 a.m to Midnight daily at the Hilo Palace Theater

Join local practitioners, artists, educators and small businesses as we gather to share ‘ike, connect, and celebrate Hawai’i Island life.

Tuesday  April 7

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. The Hula Sisters & Friends

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

Hilo Aloha

10:00 a.m to Midnight daily at the Hilo Palace Theater

Join local practitioners, artists, educators and small businesses as we gather to share ‘ike, connect, and celebrate Hawai’i Island life.

Wednesday April 8

Hilo Hula 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. Russell Mauga.

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.

Hilo Hawaiian Craft Fair

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Free admission! 

Mākeke Mele Manaka

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the SJS Gymnasium

Free admission, honoring the St. Joseph School Class of 1976.

Mākeke Naniloa

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Grand Naniloa Hotel

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly, local vendors, entertainment, free workshops, and giveaways! 

Mākeke SCP Pop-Up

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the SCP Hotel

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly, local vendors, and entertainment.

Manono Street Marketplace  Market

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Manono Marketplace

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly! 

2026 Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Craft 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.

KTA Puainako Craft Fair

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Puainako KTA

Free event showcasing handcrafted items made by our very own KTA Associates.

Mele Manaka Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Hilo Daijingu

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

Merrie Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Waiakea Center

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

‘Ikena ‘Imiloa Marketplace

10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m at ‘Imiloa Moanahōkū Hall

Join local practitioners, artists, educators and small businesses as we gather to share ‘ike, connect, and celebrate Hawai’i Island life.

Merrie Monarch 2026

Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Waiakea Center

Free event featuring local vendors and shops.

Hilo Aloha

10:00 a.m to Midnight daily at the Hilo Palace Theater

Join local practitioners, artists, educators and small businesses as we gather to share ‘ike, connect, and celebrate Hawai’i Island life.

Thursday  April 9

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.

Hilo Hawaiian Craft Fair

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Free admission! 

One Merrie Market

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Sangha Hall

Where Hawai’i shops local.

Mākeke Mele Manaka

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the SJS Gymnasium

Free admission, honoring the St. Joseph School Class of 1976.

Manono Street Market

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Manono Marketplace

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly! 

Mākeke Naniloa

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hilo Naniloa Hotel

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly, local vendors, entertainment, free workshops, and giveaways! 

Mākeke SCP Pop-Up

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the SCP Hotel

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly, local vendors, and entertainment.

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.

33rd Annual Hawaii Arts, Crafts & Food Festival

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Nani Mau Gardens

Free admission!

KTA Puainako Craft Fair

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Puainako KTA

Free event showcasing handcrafted items made by our very own KTA Associates.

Mele Manaka Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 730 Railroad Ave.

Food, music, and supporting great local businesses.

Front Street Market

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 1550 Kam Ave.

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

Prince Kuhio Plaza Merrie Monarch Market

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Prince Kuhio Plaza

Free admission!

Mele Manaka Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Hilo Daijingu

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

Merrie Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Waiakea Center

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

Bay Bridge Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Bay Bridge Hilo

Local crafts and snack vendors.

Hilo Aloha

10:00 a.m to Midnight daily at the Hilo Palace Theater

Join local practitioners, artists, educators and small businesses as we gather to share ‘ike, connect, and celebrate Hawai’i Island life.

Friday  April 10

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.

Hilo Hawaiian Craft Fair

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Free admission! 

One Merrie Market

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Sangha Hall

Where Hawai’i shops local.

Mākeke Mele Manaka

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the SJS Gymnasium

Free admission, honoring the St. Joseph School Class of 1976.

Manono Street Market

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Manono Marketplace

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly! 

Mākeke Naniloa

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hilo Naniloa Hotel

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly, local vendors, entertainment, free workshops, and giveaways! 

Mākeke SCP Pop-Up

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the SCP Hotel

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly, local vendors, and entertainment.

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.

33rd Annual Hawaii Arts, Crafts & Food Festival

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Nani Mau Gardens

Free admission!

KTA Puainako Craft Fair

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Puainako KTA

Free event showcasing handcrafted items made by our very own KTA Associates.

Mele Manaka Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 730 Railroad Ave.

Food, music, and supporting great local businesses.

Front Street Market

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 1550 Kam Ave.

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

Bay Bridge Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Bay Bridge Hilo

Local crafts and snack vendors.

Mele Manaka Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Hilo Daijingu

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

Merrie Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Waiakea Center

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

Prince Kuhio Plaza Merrie Monarch Market

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Prince Kuhio Plaza

Free admission!

Saturday  April 11

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.

Hilo Hawaiian Craft Fair

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Free admission! 

One Merrie Market

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Sangha Hall

Where Hawai’i shops local.

Mākeke Mele Manaka

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the SJS Gymnasium

Free admission, honoring the St. Joseph School Class of 1976.

Manono Street Market

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Manono Marketplace

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly! 

Mākeke Naniloa

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hilo Naniloa Hotel

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly, local vendors, entertainment, free workshops, and giveaways! 

Mākeke SCP Pop-Up

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the SCP Hotel

Free admission, ‘ohana friendly, local vendors, and entertainment.

2026 Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair

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

The official Merrie Monarch Craft Fair. An annual favorite, this free event features local artists, crafters, and entertainment.

33rd Annual Hawaii Arts, Crafts & Food Festival

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Nani Mau Gardens

Free admission!

Mele Manaka Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 730 Railroad Ave.

Food, music, and supporting great local businesses.

Front Street Market

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 1550 Kam Ave.

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

Bay Bridge Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Bay Bridge Hilo

Local crafts and snack vendors.

Mele Manaka Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Hilo Daijingu

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

Merrie Mākeke

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Waiakea Center

Get ready to shop, celebrate, and support local! 

CrossFit Huaka’i Vendor Fair

12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 1717 Kam. Ave.

Food, crafts, plants, activities, entertainment, and good vibes.

Prince Kuhio Plaza Merrie Monarch Market

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Prince Kuhio Plaza

Free admission!