Top 10 things to do on Big Island during Labor Day Weekend: Canoe races and festival celebrate Queen Lili’uokalani, cacao tasting, drag races, Lala relief and more
The 2026 Labor Day Weekend will help everyone around the Big Island relax and rest during their long holidays from work or school.
Live music is planned at a few venues, including Big Island Brewhaus in Waimea, Blue Dragon Tavern in Kawaihae and elsewhere. Many of those events also double as fundraisers for Hurricane Lala relief efforts.
That includes the Lifting Up Hawaiʻi: Hurricane Lala Relief Benefit on Friday at the Blue Dragon Kawaihae.
The 2026 Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race kicks off Thursday and runs through Sept. 7, inviting the public to come down to shorelines of the Kona Coast or watch from Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona as canoes take of and race through nearshore waters.
Head to Lili’uokalani Gardens Saturday on Banyan Drive in Hilo for the 27th annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Festival, celebrating the queen’s birthay. Those who attend will enjoy music, hula, arts, crafts, children’s games, cultural activities and more.
Who doesn’t want to spend their Labor Day Weekend with the smell of burnt rubber wafting through the air as speed demons, gear heads, hot wheels and other super fast vehicles zoom down the dragstrips during the annual Labor Day Drags at Hilo Dragstrip?
You can even satisfy your sweet tooth during the long weekend with a new tasting menu at Hem & Haven in Waimea. Bring yourself, a date or a group of friends for a cacao tasting Friday to check out the new herbal-infused chocolate treats. You’ll also be supporting Lala relief, with 10% of ticket sales to be donated to recovery efforts.
Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Labor Day Weekend now!
We hope everyone has a safe, happy, 3-day holiday weekend.
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No. 1 — 2026 Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race (Kailua-Kona, Sept. 3-7)
When: Various times throughout Labor Day Weekend
Location: Starts at Kailua Pier in downtown Kailua-Kona
The public is invited to come watch and cheer on the more than 2,000 participants in the world’s largest long-distance canoe race named in honor of Hawaiʻi’s last reigning monarch Queen Liliʻuokalani. Several races are planned, with fun also including a torchlight parade and awards lūʻau.
More info: Visit the Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race website.
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No. 2 — Lil Nasty Getdown returns for September shows and Hurricane Lala relief efforts (Kawaihae, Sept. 3)
When: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Blue Dragon Tavern, 61-3616 Kawaihae Road
This collaborative music collective returns to Hawai‘i Island, with 100% of net proceeds from ticket sales to be donated to Horns Up Foundation in support of families impacted by Hurricane Lala. The band delivers an explosive blend of funk, rock, soul, blues and improvisational jams that make it a favorite. There are also are shows scheduled Sept. 4 and 5, respectively, in Kailua-Kona and Hilo.
More info/tickets: Click here. Follow the collective on Facebook and Instagram. You can also hear their music on Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp and YouTube.
YouTube music track video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pu5B5dQN-M
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No. 3 — Lifting Up Hawaiʻi: Hurricane Lala Relief Benefit (Kawaihae, Sept. 4)
When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Blue Dragon Tavern, 61-3616 Kawaihae Road
A night of dancing, connection and healing in support of island families impacted by Hurricane Lala. Enjoy three unique acts while raising funds for Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s disaster relief efforts. All proceeds will be donated. Click here if you can’t make it but still want to help or if you prefer to donate online
More info: Visit the Blue Dragon Tavern website or call 808-882-7771.
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No. 4 — “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” (Kāʻināliu, Sept. 4-13)
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays
Location: Aloha Theatre, 79-7384 Hawaiʻi Belt Road
This powerful journey of mystery and discovery is a moving and visually imaginative drama adapted from the best-selling novel by Mark Haddon and follows 15-year-old Christopher Boone when he sets out to solve the case of the mysterious death of his neighbor’s dog. The show has won multiple Tony and Olivier Awards.
More info/tickets: Visit the Aloha Theatre website or call 808-322-9924.
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No. 5 — 27th annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Festival (Hilo, Sept. 5)
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Banyan Drive
He Haliʻa Aloha No Liliʻuokalani Festival once again celebrates the queen’s birthday while paying tribute to the historical significance of the gardens where the festivities happen. Enjoy music, hula, arts, crafts, food, demonstrations, children’s games and cultural activities, plus other entertainment.
More info: Call Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation Culture and Education Division at 808-961-8706 for information about overflow parking, shuttle service and more.
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No. 6 — 2nd annual HI-PAL Youth Music Showcase and Hurricane Lala relief fundraiser (Kailua-Kona, Sept. 5)
When: 4 p.m.
Location: ‘Ohana Court, University of the Nations, 75-5851 Kuakini Highway
Talented youth musicians will take the stage to show off their skills while a fundraiser collects funds, for Kaʻū, one of the hardest hit locations by Hurricane Lala. The fundraiser — which will accept donated items, too — highlighs the importance of community, compassion and service. The combined events are free to attend.
More info: Contact Hawai‘i Police Department Sgt. Leonard Warren via email at leonard.warren@hawaiipolice.gov.
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No. 7 — 52nd annual Labor Day Drags (Hilo, Sept. 4-6)
When: 4 p.m. gates open Sept. 4, racing starts at 6 p.m.; 8 a.m. gates open Sept. 5-6. racing starts at 10 a.m.
Location: Hilo Dragstrip, 2295 Hoʻolaulima Road
Smell burnt rubber and watch in delight as racers jump off the starting line and zoom down the dragstrip. Races will include speed demons, full throttled, gear heads and hot wheels (bikes). Vendors also will be available when you need to satisfy your hunger. Racing times are dependent on weather and track conditions.
More info/price: Email the Big Island Auto Club at biachawaii@gmail.com.
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No. 8 — 2nd Choc & Shop Cacao Tasting (Waimea, Sept. 4)
When: 5, 6 and 7 p.m.
Location: Hem & Haven, 64-705 Waikelehua Place, Suite 2
This event led by Barefoot Chocolatini would make a great date night, solo adventure or a group outing. A new tasting menu features herbal-infused options with locally made Boundless Botanical tinctures. Get your tickets now; limited spots available. Plus, 10% of ticket sales will be donated to Hurricane Lala recovery.
More info/tickets: Click here.
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No. 9 — Vinyl Echoes Live (Waimea, Sept. 4)
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Big Island Brewhaus, 64-1066 Māmalahoa Highway
Enhance your Labor Day Weekend plans at one of Waimea’s premier venues, with great beer, live music and aloha vibes. This weekend’s featured duo features Greg Klicker and Tim Rowley. So come out and start your holiday weekend with some great food, awesome beverages and amazing music.
More info: Visit the Big Island Brewhaus website.
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No. 10 — Rooted Rhythms (Pāhoa, Sept. 4)
When: 6 to 10:30 p.m.
Location: Hawaiian Sanctuary, 13-3194 Pāhoa-Kalapana Road
Get rooted during a night where live world music meets electronic dance rhythms. Enjoy sound healing by Creative Frequencies, World Fusion with Mercaba Roots and World House with DJ Nanda. Dance, connect and celebrate with food vendors, fire spinners, deep electronic grooves and more.
More info/price: Visit the Hawaiian Sanctuary website or call 1-800-309-8010.
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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.
- 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
- 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/
