4 Best Performing Arts in Hilo, Big Island

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.

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.

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.