Top 10 things to do on Big Island for May 22-28: Graduation Celebration Concert, Lord of the Juggling Rings, Tropicaliente 4, free climbing day and more

This weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer, with Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, and the Big Island, especially Puna, has plenty to do for revelers looking to celebrate during the long holiday break.

Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts & Science students, graduates and alumni invite the community to kick off their Memorial Day Weekend and celebrate 2026 graduates with a special Graduation Celebration Concert on Friday, May 22, at Pāhoa Lava Zone Night Market.

Lord of the Juggling Rings on Saturday, May 23, at SPACE in Pāhoa will showcase the talents of Hawai’i Island Community Circus Unity Project spring session students. Audience members will travel along with Frodo and Sam on their epic adventure through strange lands of Middle Earth to save the realm by destroying the one ring.

Dress up with spring inspiration from neon flora, frilly fungi or your favorite pollinator to glow up and get dirty in the electric garden Saturday night at Space City in Pāhoa during Tropicaliente 4. Blacklight body painting, fire and go-go dancers and more, especially immaculate vibes, await those who attend.

Big Island Climbing invites community members of all ages — returning and new climbers, alike — to spend at least part of their extra day off on Monday to help celebrate its 5-year anniversary with a free community climbing day. Come experience indoor bouldering and learn why the gym’s mission of creating a positive place for people to challenge themselves, support each other and get stronger together remains unchanged.

Those are just a few options of activities available around the island this Memorial Day Weekend. Don’t miss all the fun!

Here are our top 10 things to do for May 22-28.

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No. 1 — Graduation Celebration Concert (Pāhoa, May 22)

When: 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Location: Pāhoa Lava Zone Night Market, 15-2942 Pāhoa Village Road

Bring out the kids and kick off summer with some great music by some very talented keiki. Enjoy performances by Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts & Science students, graduates and alumni, featuring HAAStile and Phrogs on a Log. There will also bee food trucks and a beer garden for those 21 years old and older. Graduates and keiki are free. Students with a student ID are just $5 and adults are $10 at the door.

More info: Contact Pāhoa Lava Zone Museum at 808-937-4146 or via email at pahoalavazonemuseum@gmail.com.

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No. 2 — Paper-making workshop (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, May 23)

When: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, Kahuku Unit (turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū)

Artist Susan O’Malley will teach paper-making using fibers from maiʻa and hau. This is a hands-on experience. All materials will be provided. Reserve your spot now as attendance is limited and reservations are required.

More info/make reservation: Email to wendy_scott-vance@nps.gov.

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No. 3 — Snow White Ballet (Waimea, May 23)

When: 4:30 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” a story published in the 1812 volume of “Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” gained popularity after Walt Disney released his animated version in 1937. Now, the classic story is reimagined by West Hawai’i Dance Theatre, which first produced this ballet version in 2016; however, it still tells about a girl with a kind heart, gentle spirit, courage and love, even in the face of adversity.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 4 — Lord of the Juggling Rings (Pāhoa, May 23)

When: 5 p.m.; doors open at 4 p.m.

Location: SPACE, 12-253 W. Pōhakupele Loop

Hawaiʻi Island Community Circus Unity Project, or HICCUP, presents its 2026 spring student showcase. Join Frodo and Sam on their epic adventure through strange lands of Middle Earth while they face magical creatures and other hurdles on their quest to save the realm by destroying the one ring in the fires of Mount Doom. Limited parking available; free for carpools of 4 people or more.

More info/tickets: Click here.

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No. 5 — Tropicaliente 4 (Pāhoa, May 23)

When: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Location: Space City, 14-3761 Kapoho Road

Get ready to glow up and get dirty in the electric garden! Come dressed inspired by spring, whether it’s neon flora, fresh fauna, frilly fungi or your favorite pollinator. There will be blacklight body painting, fire and gogo dancers, food vendors and immaculate vibes — as usual. Just $20 at the door for this amazing Memorial Day Weekend event featuring Imagika Om, Odysseus, Catnip and Creative Frequencies.

More info: Email to spacecityhawaii@gmail.com.

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No. 6 — Sunday Jazz Brunch Series (Hilo, May 24)

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

Location: Coffee Notes, 116 Keawe St.

Your cozy coffee corner in downtown Hilo invites you to once again enjoy its warm atmosphere while sipping artisanal beverages and getting into the groove, this week with Jason Sherbundy on acoustic piano and special guest Bill Noble on saxophone and flute. It promises another weekend of great coffee, live jazz and good company. Reservations for tables of 4 are available.

More info: Visit the Coffee Notes website.

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No. 7 — Free Community Climbing Day (Hilo, May 25)

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Big Island Climbing, 126 Keawe St.

Big Island Climbing is marking its 5-year anniversary. In celebration, new and returning climbers of all ages are invited to include the gym on their Memorial Day agendas to experience indoor bouldering in a supportive, family-friendly environment. Come learn why its mission is still to create a positive place where people can challenge themselves, support one another and grow stronger together.

More info: Contact Donna Nichols at 619-405-3900 or via email at info@bigislandclimbing.com. You can also visit the Big Island Climbing website and follow @bigislandclimbing on Facebook and Instagram.

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No. 8 — Karaoke Night (Kailua-Kona, May 27)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Kona Elks Lodge, 75-170 Hualālai Road

Enjoy this exclusive midweek music night party. Why are you showing up? Because you know the songs. Because your friends need humbling. Or maybe because someone’s going to crush it! And it might even be you! Plus, there’s air conditioning, drinks, free parking and free entry. See you there!

More info: Call Kona Elks Lodge at 808-329-2616.

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No. 9 — 2026 Big Island Press Club Scholarship Reception (Hilo, May 28)

When: 5 to 8 p.m.

Location: Hilo Yacht Club, 77 Laeʻahala St.

Come help honor the club’s 2026 scholarship recipients Rianne Empaynado and Mari Iwata, plus enjoy a special evening with featured speaker veteran surf journalist and communications professional Daniel “Ito” Ikaika, the first Native Hawaiian editor of a surf publication. He will share insights into the power of storytelling in Hawaiʻi. RSVP by May 25; space is limited.

More info/RSVP: Visit the Big Island Press Club website.

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No. 10 — 9 weeks of Summer Camp (Waikōloa, beginning June 1; register now)

When: Various dates and times

Location: Hawaiʻi Keiki Museum, 69-250 Waikōloa Beach Drive, K104

Register now for a summer of hands-on projects, artistic exploration and scientific discovery, during which learning is fun and friendships blossom. Keiki ages 7 to 15 years old have a wide range of workshops to choose from, including building your own GameBoy, break dancing, 3-D printing, drone flight, artificial intelligence and more.

More info/registration: Visit the Hawaiʻi Keiki Museum website.

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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 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/
• Waimea Arts Council, Waimea, https://www.waimeaartscouncil.org