19 Best Performing Arts in Big Island, Hawaii

Each summer on the Saturday nearest to King Kamehameha Day (June 11), at least 100 regal riders on horseback parade through Historic Kailua Village, showing off the colorful flora and aloha spirit of Hawaii. This spectacular free event is one of the highlights of summer. The traditional royal pau riders (women dressed in long skirts) include a queen and princesses representing the major Hawaiian Islands. A cultural festival with live music and a houlaulea (local fundraiser) always follow on the historic grounds of Hulihee Palace, Hawaii Island's only royal palace.

The lively festival showcases island-based brewers and chefs on the luau grounds of the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. A fashion show, live music, and community fundraisers are all part of the fun. Check the date and get tickets early online, as this event always sells out.

Held over 10 days in early November, on the Kona side, the longest-running food festival in Hawaii celebrates world-renowned Kona coffee. The highly anticipated festival includes coffee contests, serious cupping (tasting) competitions, a lecture series, label contests, farm tours, and a colorful community parade featuring the newly crowned Miss Kona Coffee. During the Holualoa Village Coffee and Art Stroll, you can meet artists and sample estate coffees.

Paul "Kona Kozy" Kozak, a veteran Vegas and New York comedy club entertainer, brings a world-class magic show to the Kohala Coast. Every show is different but, guaranteed, each one is hilarious. Held within his fine-art tiki gallery, the shows will truly have you asking "How'd he do that?" for days afterward. Kozy knows his stuff: he once did a command performance for Prince Charles and Princess Diana. The show is for ages 18 and up.

On the oceanfront North Side Luau Grounds, you can indulge in the best of island cuisine—a traditional feast of kalua (earth oven–baked) pig roasted in an imu (oven), island fish, lomilomi salmon, and sashimi—while enjoying entertainment by renowned local performers. The luau, originally premiering in 1960 for Newsweek magazine and going strong ever since, includes an amazing fire-knife dance, spirited chanting, and traditional hula. Keiki (children) can learn the hukilau (a traditional song and dance), and you can relax right on the beach, under the stars. If you choose one luau during your visit to the Big Island, this should be the one, and it's surprisingly affordable. You can elect to see only the show for a reasonable fee.

The mother of all Hawaii festivals, the world-class Merrie Monarch in Hilo celebrates all things hula for one fantastic week every April with competitions, activities, a parade, and more. The esteemed event honors the legacy of King David Kalakaua (1836–1891), the man responsible for reviving fading Hawaiian cultural traditions including hula. The three-day hula competition is staged at the Edith Kanakaole Multi-Purpose Stadium during the first week following Easter Sunday. Hula halau (studios) worldwide come to perform both kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) dance styles, solo and in groups. Tickets are not expensive, but they are hard to get. You should reserve accommodations and rental cars up to a year in advance. Ticket requests must be mailed and postmarked after December 1 of the preceding year.

Beautifully restored through community support, this historic theater dating from the silent-movie era (1925) survived Hilo's many tsunamis and now showcases everything from film festivals and old movies to musical productions and holiday concerts. There are even $10 jazz nights in the lobby and performances by big-name artists. It's open during the day, so you can have a peek through the curtains at the lovely vintage details and feel as if you stepped back in time.

A local community theater group stages musicals and plays at this charming 1930s-vintage theater in Kainaliu. The theater also hosts concerts and film festivals. 

On the graceful grounds of the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa, this popular luau (Mondays and Thursdays) takes you on a journey of song and dance, celebrating  the culture and history of the islands. The excellent buffet is a feast of local favorites, including kalua (earth oven--baked) pig, poi, ahi poke, chicken long rice, fish, and mango chutney. Generous mai tai refills are a plus, and a highlight is the dramatic fire-knife dance finale.

Slickly produced and well choreographed, this gorgeous show incorporates both traditional and contemporary music and dance, along with an array of beautiful costumes. It tells the tale of Hawaiiloa, the great navigator from Tahiti, and of the celestial object—Hokulea, "Star of Gladness"—that guided him to the islands later named Hawaii. Presented under the stars at the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii on Saturdays, the luau offers several stations with a variety of Hawaiian and Hawaii Regional Cuisine dishes, and there's an open full bar for mai tais and other tropical libations.

Screening art films during the week and more mainstream releases on weekends, the largest cinema on the Big Island features a 50-foot screen as well as a huge stage and dance floor. Hula competitions, big-name concert performers, community theater performances, and other special events are also held at this gorgeous, beloved vintage theater. Park properly, as police officers eagerly write tickets while theatergoers are watching the show.

With traditional dancing showcasing the interconnected Polynesian roots of Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, and New Zealand, the "We Are Ohana (family)" luau is not a hokey, tourist-trap event; these performers take their art seriously, and it shows. The historic oceanfront location—on the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel's luau grounds and directly next to the king's former royal compound and Ahuena Heiau—adds to the authenticity of the event, which takes place daily except Monday and Saturday. The bounty of food includes kalua (earth oven–baked) pig cooked. The hotel validates parking.

The intimate theater regularly hosts internationally acclaimed performers and renowned Hawaiian artists such as Jake Shimabukuro, Kealii Reichel, and the Brothers Cazimero. They share the calendar with regional and national modern-dance troupes, community theater and dance groups, ukulele festivals, and classical music performances. The theater also supports the community by welcoming local artists to exhibit in its lobby, which doubles as a gallery.

Since 1993, a local radio station has sponsored the island's largest free concert, a famous hoolaulea (festival) that takes place mid-September in downtown Hilo and attracts a bounty of Big Island musical talent. Music styles featured included Hawaiian, reggae, and island music. Some big names play here on four different stages, and there's dancing in the streets along the bayfront, rain or shine.

Presented outdoors at the Kamehameha Court, the aptly subtitled "Our Big Island Story" features song and a fire-knife dance as well as a delicious buffet with Big Island–grown luau choices and more familiar fare and tropical drinks. Pay a small fee and upgrade to Alii seating for a front-row vantage; unlimited cocktails, beer, and wine; and your own buffet station. A children's station has kid favorites. Delicious desserts such as haupia (with coconut milk) cream puffs and Kona-coffee cheesecake top it all off.

This multiday hula extravaganza, held each November on the big stage at Waikoloa Bowl, features halau (hula schools) from Hawaii and Japan competing under the stars. During the day, workshops and cultural and crafts fairs take place at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort.

The 600-seat venue hosts a full season of dance, drama, music, and other events, with about 150 performances held from September to May. The quality of the performers rivals that of any mainland university, and tickets are affordable, too. 

The Royal Kona Resort lights its torches for a spectacular show and oceanfront buffet four times a week (Monday–Wednesday and Friday); this may just be the best luau deal in town. The entire Polynesian Triangle is represented through song and dance by seasoned professional performers who love sharing their dance traditions with visitors. Traditional luau fare is served along with succulent pork cooked in an authentic underground imu (oven), and an open bar offers mai tais and other tropical concoctions. An exciting Samoan fire-knife dancer caps off the show.  Book online for the best prices.

In a setting overlooking the white sands of Anaehoomalu Bay, this Polynesian luau includes a spectacular Samoan fire-dance performance as well as traditional music and dances from Pacific Island cultures. Making use of island ingredients such as Waipio Valley poi and Keahole shrimp, Pulehu steaks, the menu by executive chef Jayson Kanekoa treats guests to authentic island flavors. There's also an open bar.