Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Nov. 21-27: Events on the menu to celebrate Thanksgiving, plus more

The holidays are officially upon us as we head into Thanksgiving week, and the top 10 definitely reflects the most wonderful time of the year, with several events celebrating Turkey Day 2025 and another holiday market.

Don’t want to slave over a hot oven and stove for hours to make a holiday feast next Thursday? Maybe you want celebrate with your neighbors and fellow community members? What about giving thanks with music?

Don’t fret. Those are menu options.

Treat the fam to an island-inspired Thanksgiving feast and a Thanksgiving Lūʻau at Hilton Waikōloa Village — where you don’t have to cook, you just get to enjoy the food, family and fun.

The Salvation Army Hilo Corps is again hosting a Community Thanksgiving Lunch, too, where you get the benefit of not having to cook but you and the family can enjoy a delicious meal and give thanks as a community and a feast of fellowship.

And if you are committed to firing up the Turkey Day feast in your own kitchen, at least take a break from all the preparation and planning.

Check out this year’s Interfaith Communities in Action annual Musical Thanksgiving Celebration on Nov. 25, a special event to “Lift Every Voice and Sing” while giving thanks though music at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Hilo.

Everyone is invited to come, enjoy the music and refreshments, plus build the bonds of community at the same time.

Donations will also be collected for The Food Basket, Hawai’i Island’s food bank.

Be sure to check out the other events happening around the island before Thanksgiving, too.

There’s a holiday market in Pāhoa; several other concerts, including “Fire and Ice” presented by Big Island Singers in Hilo and Kea‘au; and Augie T is bringing his Shaka Power Comedy Tour to the Palace Theater stage in Hilo.

Thank you so much for reading — that’s what we are most thankful for this year — and thank you for making the top 10 a part of your week. We hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving.

Here’s our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Nov. 21-27.

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NO. 1 — “Fire and Ice” (Hilo and Keaʻau, Nov. 21-23)

When: Various times

Location: Various locations

Big Island Singers present a series of concerts featuring a variety of vocal music describing such qualities the title reflects — freezing cold, oppressive heat, icy hearts, hot passions, fresh snow, scorched earth. That includes music by contemporary composer Morten Lauridsen; “Ring of Fire,” originally sung by Johnny Cash; and “Fire and Ice,” a song by Emily Crocker based on the poem by Robert Frost. Concerts will be 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at Church of the Holy Cross in Hilo, 4 p.m. Nov. 22 at First United Protestant Church in Hilo and 4 p.m. Nov. 23 at Center for Spiritual Living in Kea‘au. They are all free and open to the public; however, donations are graciously accepted.

More info: Contact Big Island Singers director Doug Albertson at 707-228-0531.

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NO. 2 — Moku‘aikaua Church Grand Reopening Celebration (Kailua-Kona, Nov. 21-23)

When: Various times

Location: Mokuʻaikaua Church, 75-5713 Aliʻi Drive

This 3-day Hoʻolauleʻa celebrates the historic church’s completion of a 6-year sanctuary renovation project along with its 205th anniversary. Hawaiʻi’s oldest Christian church — founded in 1820 — will honor its storied past while acknowledging its present and looking toward the future. Activities will include traditional ceremonies, community events, worship services and more. The community is invited to attend, and the public is welcome to all events.

More info/full schedule: Visit the Mokuaikaua Church website or email the church at office@mokuaikaua.com.

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NO. 3 — Nobuntu, Live from Zimbabwe (Hilo, Nov. 21)

When: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Get ready to experience effervescent dancing and warm, honeyed vocals from this female a cappella quartet from Zimbabwe. Their concerts are performed with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion and traditional instruments. Music includes a range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro-jazz and gospel. They believe music can be a powerful vehicle for change, one that transcends racial, tribal, religious, gender and economic boundaries. Tickets are $25 general admission or $40 VIP in advance; prices increase $5 the day of the show.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

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NO. 4 — Lāʻau Love Fest (Kailua-Kona, Nov. 22)

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway

Free community event offering native and food plant adoptions. Each household can adopt up to two free plants. You can also take part in one of two native plant wreath-making workshops, limited to 25 people, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Registration must be done in advance. Part of Hawaiʻi County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience ongoing Lāʻau Love initiative, aimed at increasing awareness, accessibility and cultivation of native, canoe and food plants.

More info/reservations: Follow @hicountyoscer on Instagram; visit Hawaiʻi County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience website; email to OSCER@hawaiicounty.gov; or call 808-854-3129.

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NO. 5 — ASC Artisan Holiday Market (Pāhoa, Nov. 22)

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Arts & Sciences Center, 15-1397 Post Office Road

Community members are invited to explore creativity, passion and skill during this vibrant market as it showcases local talent and offers a curated mix of handmade goods and scrumptious treats — just in time for holiday shopping. Young creators, whose fresh ideas and bold visions are shaping the future of art, will be in the spotlight as they redefine craftsmanship and design. Stop by to shop, connect and celebrate the incredible artistry of tomorrow’s makers, today.

More info: Visit the ASC Artisan Holiday Market website.

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NO. 6 — Augie T: Shaka Power Comedy Tour (Hilo, Nov. 22)

When: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

New show. New material. A night of comedy with one of the most sought-after public speakers, moderators and emcees in Hawai‘i. Augie Tulba’s dynamic presence and ability to keep audiences engaged and excited sets him apart as a keynote speaker for large and small venues — he is able to connect with and inspire every type of audience. Tickets are $20 general admission in advance; $5 more the day of the show.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

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NO. 7 — Amy Hānaiali’i: Kinohi – the beginning, the origin (Waimea, Nov. 23)

When: 2 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Join this celebrated artist — whose heritage spans Hawaiian, Ojibwe, Norwegian and English roots — and her beloved ʻohana, including acclaimed fashion designer and kumu hula Micah Kamohoaliʻi and Hālau Nā Kīpuʻupuʻu, on a remarkable journey, weaving mele, moʻokūʻauhau and memory into a compelling voyage of identity and ancestral remembrance. Tickets start at $40.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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NO. 8 — Interfaith Communities in Action annual Musical Thanksgiving Celebration (Hilo, Nov. 25)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1373 Kīlauea Ave.

This year’s celebration invites those who attend to “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” featuring at least seven choirs and musical groups from a variety of religious denominations and traditions. Everyone is invited to come, enjoy the music and refreshments while building the bonds of community. Food donations will be collected for The Food Basket, Hawai‘i Island’s food bank, and half of all monetary donations will also be donated to the Big Island food bank.

More info: Contact Interfaith Communities in Action President Jonathan Roach at jroach@hcucc.org.

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NO. 9 — Community Thanksgiving Lunch (Hilo, Nov. 27)

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lūʻau Hale, 799 Piʻilani St.

Join The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps for a delicious meal and time of fellowship this Thanksgiving during this special event in partnership with Pacific Mix Catering and ʻĀina U. Come together with leadership and volunteers at The Salvation Army as they give thanks and serve their Hilo community. The event is a reflection of the organization’s mission to meet human needs without discrimination and share hope with those it serves. This year’s holiday lunch is also in memory of Ed Olson.

More info: Call The Salvation Army at 808-935-1277.

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NO. 10 — Thanksgiving Lūʻau (Waikōloa, Nov. 27)

When: 5:30 to 8:15 p.m.

Location: Hilton Waikōloa Village, Kamehameha Court, 69-425 Waikōloa Beach Drive

Enjoy an island-inspired Thanksgiving feast with dishes such as herb-roasted turkey with all the traditional fixings, seared mahi-mahi with mango-papaya salsa and holiday desserts such as pumpkin pie and caramel apple cheesecake. The holiday weekend also features Hilton Waikoloa Village’s annual Holiday Craft Fair, showcasing local artisans and handmade gifts, with proceeds benefiting island charities.

More info/reservations: Visit the Hilton Waikōloa Village website.

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Check for yourself to see what’s happening around the Big Island

We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
• Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
• Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
• Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
• East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
• Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
• Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786
• Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/
• Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/
• Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/
• Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events
• Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
• Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
• MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
• Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
• University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
• Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
• Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/