3 Best Performing Arts in Maui, Hawaii

In April, cultural practitioners, community artisans, artists, and activists gather at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, for a series of events that celebrate Hawaiian tradition and explore current societal topics. Visitors can partake in an awa (kava) ritual, observe lauhala (pandan or hala leaves) weaving, watch locally produced films, and listen to cultural panels. The festival concludes with a celebration luau.

This hub of all highbrow arts features everything from hip-hop and reggae performances and Hawaiian slack-key guitar shows to international dance and circus troupes. The complex includes the 350-seat McCoy Theater, the 1,200-seat Castle Theater, the Schaefer International Gallery, and the elegant Yokouchi Pavilion, used for outdoor concerts. There's also a courtyard café for preshow dining and drinks.

Held annually between mid-June to early July, this international festival attracts big-name celebrities, who come to Maui for cinema and soirées under the stars around Wailea and at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. The not-to-be-missed outdoor Celestial Cinema in Wailea turns golf greens into a spectacular theater under the stars.