Top 10 things to do on Big Island for July 3-9: Bob Dylan tribute, free farm tour, Astronomy on Tap and more

Hey, Big Island. There’s more to do this week than just Fourth of July festivities.

How about a tribute to Bob Dylan on July 3 performed by local favorites The Ing Crowd at The Keawe Theater in downtown Hilo? Celebrate the music, the lyrics and the legacy of the icon.

There’s also two chances to take a free farm tour at Baumkuchenfarm in Pāpaʻikou to discover the farm’s delicious beloved layered cake Baumkuchen and learn about the German-Hawaiian friendship, plus more. The tours are July 3 and 7.

Come grab a drink and take a trip into the cosmos July 8 at Hale Kanikapila in downtown Hilo during the next edition of Astronomy on Tap. Learn about “Jellyfish in Space” and exoplanets, plus test your space trivia knowledge and more.

Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for July 3-9.

P.S.: Come back July 3 for a list of Fourth of July events happening around the island, too.

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No. 1 — Free Farm Tour (Pāpaʻikou, July 3 and 7)

When: 11 a.m. Friday; 1 p.m. Tuesday

Location: Baumkuchenfarm, 27-714 Kaʻieʻie Road

Discover the secrets of the farm’s delicious Baumkuchen while learning about the German-Hawaiian friendship. You’ll also see the farm’s mangosteen trees and vanilla plants, plus delve into the history of the beloved layered cake. Tours every Friday and Tuesday. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.

More info/reservations: Visit the Baumkuchenfarm website.

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No. 2 — “AHA! Art Immersive: Inclusion” exhibit opening (Hilo, July 3)

When: 5 to 7 p.m.

Location: Wailoa Art Center, 200 Piʻopiʻo St.

Hawaiʻi is making history — and the community is invited to experience it. Step inside a space where art breaks past every traditional boundary. The largest celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act in Hawaiʻi and groundbreaking exhibition transforms the center into 10 interactive bays. It is more than a gallery viewing; it is a profound sensory journey. The exhibit runs July 3-Aug. 5.

More info: Visit the Wailoa Art Center website, call 808-933-0416 or email to DLNR.SP.Wailoacenter@hawaii.gov.

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No. 3 — Kalapana Awa Band live (Hilo, July 3)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: The Booch Bar, 110 Keawe St.

This world famous band returns to The Rainbow Room for another unforgettable night of music and fun. All ages welcome. Sliding scale entry fee (money goes in wall boxes, Jar or Venmo/PayPal). Plus, enjoy great food, craft beer, cocktails, brisket tacos and Big Island Booch.

More info: Visit The Booch Bar website.

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No. 4 — A.E. Reverie & Rise (Waimea, July 3 and 5)

When: 7 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m. Sunday

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

These one-act chamber operas first unfold the night in 1929 when Amelia Earhart landed in Chautauqua, inspiring a young woman to imagine a future beyond imposed limits, then blends history and magical realism to explore legacy, equality and representation. You also can join Composer-in-Residence Kamala Sankaram at 6 p.m. Friday or 2 p.m. Sunday for an engaging pre-show conversation. Presented by Hawai‘i Performing Arts Festival.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 5 — Bob Dylan Tribute Concert “Back At It!” (Hilo, July 3)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Location: The Keawe Theater, 280 Keawe St.

Take a trip through the timeless songs of Bob Dylan, performed by local favorites The Ing Crowd. From poetic ballads to iconic folk-rock anthems, this tribute concert honors the music that inspired generations. Come celebrate the music, the lyrics and the legacy.

More info/tickets: Visit the Hilo Community Players website.

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No. 6 — Intro to Block Printing: Carve and Print Your Own Designs (Pāhoa, July 5)

When: 12:30 p.m.

Location: Crafty Raccoon Art House, 15-2959 Pāhoa Village Road

Block printing is one of the oldest forms of printmaking, offering a simple method for creating your own graphics and patterns, thankfully only requiring a handful of tools and supplies. Come with a design for your stamp already drawn or printed out, no bigger than 2-by-2 inches or 4-by-6 inches. Limited to 8 participants.

More info/register: Click here.

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No. 7 — Splish Splash Summer (Kailua-Kona, July 8)

When: Noon to 4 p.m.

Location: Kona Commons Shopping Center, 74-5450 Makala Boulevard

Summer in Kona is about to get a whole lot cooler. This popular free pop-up waterpark returns for a third year, transforming the shopping center every Wednesday in July into a destination for water-filled family fun. Enjoy giant water slides, splash zones, games and more, including cool refreshments from Kona Commons merchants.

More info: Visit the Kona Commons website or follow the shopping center on Facebook and Instagram @konacommons.

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No. 8 — Astronomy on Tap (Hilo, July 8)

When: 7 to 9 p.m.

Location: Hale Kanikapila, 168 Keawe St.

Come grab a drink and talk story about the cosmos! Leo Alcorn will present “Jellyfish in Space: Ram-Pressure Stripping in Galaxy Clusters” and Tom Geballe offers “Exoplanets: What do we know about them and how do we learn about them?” Bring your friends, test your space trivia knowledge and enjoy some great local vibes.

More info: Email to astronomyontaphawaii@noirlab.edu.

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No. 9 — Kūpuna Aikido (Hilo, July 9)

When: 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Location: Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lū‘au Hale, 799 Pi‘ilani St.

Falls are common as we age. Kūpuna Aikido Hawai‘i teaches gentle, body-friendly Aikido-based techniques to build balance and awareness, plus safer ways to fall and help limit injury. AARP HomeFit tips for lighting, trip hazards and bathroom basics will also be shared. Register by noon July 8.

More info/registration: Visit the AARP website.

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No. 10 — Open Mic (Hilo, July 9)

When: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Kava Republic, 301 Keawe St.

Come out to perform or just enjoy an incredible night of music and more by local artists. Signup starts at 6 p.m. Also enjoy the kava of the week or choose another kava, coffee, tea or local jin. Every Thursday.

More info: Follow Kava Republic on Instagram.

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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 in our entertainment roundup. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover even more events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops.

• 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
• Hale Kanikapila (formerly Hilo Town Tavern), Hilo: https://halekanikapila.com/
• 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: 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
• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/