Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 23-29: ManaFest returns to Puna, learn about Kīlauea lava fountains, music events and more

We’re nearly a month into 2026 and community activities and events are abounding on Hawai‘i Island. ManaFest is back in Pāhoa as well as the 4th annual Back Home Sessions at Willie’s Hot Chicken in Kona, featuring Kaleo Wassman from Pepper and Miles Doughty from Slightly Stoopid.

Check out this week’s Top 10 events for Hawai‘i Island below.

No. 1 — 8th annual ManaFest (Pāhoa, Jan. 23-25)

When: 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Location: Kalani Oceanside Retreat Center, 12-6870 Kalapana-Kapoho Rd.

ManaFest is a festival honoring the sacred feminine, welcoming all ages, races, and genders. The event highlights transformative dance, music and arts, creating stage for women’s voices. The festival will also provide education for wellness, sustainability, and sisterhood, and offer women and girls opportunities to develop self-esteem and leadership.

More info: Click here for event details.

No. 2 – Pacific Bridge Tour (Hilo, Jan. 23)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Hilo Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Alaska’s Blackwater Railroad and Maui’s Justin Morris & Company will be live in concert as part of the Pacific Bridge 2026 Coast to Coast to Coast Tour. Marketing management company Aloha Growers connects Hawai’i to Alaska this January with stops in Oregon and Washington. The tour starts in Hilo and continues on through Jan. 31, with stops in Portland, Seattle, and the final stop in Palmer, Alaska, for the 1st Annual Winterromp Festival. Tickets range in price from the Earlybird General Admission of $25 to General Admission at $35.

More info: Click here for details on the event and tickets.

No. 3 – 4th Annual Back Home Sessions (Kona, Jan. 24)

When: 5 to 11 p.m.

Location: Willie’s Hot Chicken, 74-5599 Pawai Place

Join the crowd at Willie’s Hot Chicken for an unforgettable event of live music featuring Kaleo Wassman (from Pepper) and Miles Doughty (from Slightly Stoopid). This celebration of sound, soul, and community will bring together artists from our own backyard and beyond to share their music and aloha.

More info: Click here for details and tickets.

No. 4 – Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day (Hilo, Jan. 24)

When: 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus, 200 W Kawili St.

PISCES is proud to be working with the Onizuka family, Onizuka Memorial Committee, Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum, and Canada France Hawaiʻi Telescope to bring back the 21st annual Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day on Saturday. This free community event will include exciting STEM activities, workshops, food, and more in celebration of the inspiring life and legacy of Hawaiʻi’s first astronaut. All ages are welcome. Highlights and activities include interactive booths, a robotics tournament and meeting a NASA astronaut.

More info: Click here to register for workshops. Click here for more details. Learn more at www.pacificspacecenter.com/onizuka-science-day.

No. 5 – Kamuela Philharmonics Breadth and Beauty (Waimea, Jan. 25)

When: 2 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Rd.

The Kamuela Philharmonic’s annual spotlight on Hawai‘i’s most promising young musicians opens a program that celebrates both youthful artistry and timeless beauty. The finale of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3—a transcendent, deeply felt meditation on love and nature—will be brought to life with the support of specially selected young artists from Hawai‘i Island.

More info: Click here for ticket pricing and details.

No. 6 – Drag Bingo at My Bar (Kona, Jan. 25)

When: 3 to 7 p.m.

Location: My Bar, 74-5606 Luhia St.

Come out for Drag Bingo with Liv Lively at My Bar to support a local nonprofit. In January, the event is raising funds for PETFIX, an organization that offers spaying and neutering services for pets. One Bingo card is provided upon checkin and additional cards are available with a donation to the nonprofit.

More info: Click here for details.

No. 7 – Chess Mates at Hawai‘i Keiki Museum (Waikōloa, Jan. 25)

When: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Location: 69-250 Waikoloa Beach Dr.

Join in the fun of weekly Chess, no matter what level of mastery you’ve accomplished. In-person keiki chess matches encourage critical thinking, sportsmanship/sportswomanship and friendship. Participation in the Sunday event is included with regular admission to the museum.

More info: Click here for details.

No. 8 – Hawaii Cycling Club Weekly Rides (Kona, Jan. 27)

When: 7 to 10 a.m.

Location: Meet at Old Kona Airport’s playground parking lot, 75-5500 Kuakini Highway

Hawai‘i Cycling Club welcomes cyclists on rides that take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The Saturday Morning Ride starts at Old Kona Airport, where cyclists head north up Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and turn back at various points. Distance varies from 10 to 70+ miles, depending on how far and fast you want to ride. Fast riders can enjoy a good paceline workout with members of the Hammerhead Race Team. There is usually a group going at your pace and distance, so don’t worry if you’re not a racer.

More info: Click here for more details.

No. 9 – A Year of Lava Fountains in the Forecast (Hilo, Jan. 28)

When: 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Location: ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i, 600 ‘Imiloa Place

Join U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory deputy Scientist-in-Charge David Phillips as he answers questions about Kīlauea and its episodic eruptive events. Kīlauea volcano has historically erupted more than 35 episodes in the summit caldera since Dec. 23, 2024. Lava fountains from two eruptive vents have built an impressive cone on the crater rim and incrementally filled in Halemaʻumaʻu crater with stacks of lava flows. Volcanic gas emissions and particles of lava are carried downwind.

More info: Cost to participate in the discussion is $5 for ‘Imiloa members and general admission is $10. Click here for tickets.

No. 10 – Children’s Book vs. Movie Club: ‘Wonder’ (North Kohala, Jan. 29)

When: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Location: 54-3645 ‘Akoni Pule Hwy in Kapa’au

At the North Kohala Public Library, keiki, ages 7-12, are invited to read “The Wonder” by R.J. Palacio, then come watch the movie adaptation of the book on Thursday. The book is available for pickup at the library.

More info: Click here for details.

Check for yourself what’s happening around the Big Island

We admit. As hard as we try every week, we still likely didn’t find every event happening around the Big Island. Plus, we can’t fit everything going on each week in our entertainment roundup. 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/