Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Nov. 6-12: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Hawaiʻi Island Veterans Day Parade, AstroDay West and more
Check out our top 10 things to do NOW! There's fun for the entire family happening around the island.
Celebrate the families, volunteers, community partners and others who worked Big Island land to make Kona coffee world-renowned and those now moving it forward. Honor the men and women who served in the military to protect that same earth and beyond while keeping people’s rights unencumbered.
And enjoy interactive demonstrations and educational activities with an opportunity to learn from those who are leading the way to a future of discovering new lands, perhaps on strange new worlds while boldly going where no one has gone before.
You can have all or each of those experiences without ever leaving the island.
The 55th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival kicks off this Friday, Hawaiʻi Island Veterans Day Parade rolls out Saturday morning and AstroDay West 2026 takes off into the cosmos this weekend, too.
That’s once again only a glimpse at some of the upcoming activities and events happening in communities around the island.
Keep reading to check out our top 10 things to do from Nov. 6-12 on the Big Island. You’ll find others that equally promise additional fun for the entire family.
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No. 1 — 55th anniversary Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (Kona, begins Nov. 6)
When: Various times
Location: Various locations
This annual 10-day festival starts brewing this weekend. The public can experience cultural performances, coffee contests, farm experiences and much more to celebrate Kona’s world-renowned coffee and honor the farmers, artists, volunteers and community partners moving it forward.
More info/full lineup/tickets/commemorative buttons: Visit the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival website.
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No. 2 — Arbor Day Hawaiʻi 2026 native tree giveaway (Kailua-Kona, Nov. 6)
When: Noon to 5 p.m.
Location: Terraformation Headquarters, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority, 73-4485 Kāhilihili St.
Join the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program for this tree giveaway event, along with other tree-related events later this month on the Big Island. Native ecosystem restoration professionals will be on hand for care tips and resources.
More info/additional Arbor Day Hawaiʻi 2026 events: Visit the Arbor Day Hawaiʻi website.
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No. 3 — King or Queen of the Track (Hilo, Nov. 7-8)
When: Gates open 7:30 a.m. both days
Location: Hilo Drag Strip, 2295 Hoʻolaulima Road
Hawai‘i Drag Racing League burns rubber into a final weekend of hardcore racing for the 2026 season! Enjoy several racing programs and brackets as well as watch who becomes Big Island drag racing royalty. Main gate entry is just $15; keiki 10 years old and younger are free.
More info: Contact Keith Aguiar Sr. at 808-960-1095.
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No. 4 — Free botanical garden tours (Hilo, Nov. 7)
When: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus, 200 W. Kāwili St.
Celebrate Arbor Day during three free guided tours exploring aspects of this unique tropical garden, including its world-class collection of prehistoric plants, epiphytes and palms. Learn from experts and discover what makes the garden a vital part of the local community. No registration required.
More info/questions: Contact Robert Talbert via email at talbertr@hawaii.edu.
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No. 5 — 19th Hawaiʻi Island Veterans Day Parade (Hilo, Nov. 7)
When: 10 a.m.
Location: Downtown Hilo (begins on Piʻopiʻo Street near Wailoa River State Recreation Area
Flags waving. Bands playing. Aircraft flying overhead. Keiki cheering alongside kūpuna. The community is invited to Hilo Bayfront for a special morning in honor of the island’s military veterans and their families as well as to “Celebrate Service.”
More info/questions/parade route: Visit the Hawaiʻi Island Veterans Day Parade website or email to support@hivetparade.org.
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No. 6 — 4th annual Celebrate ʻOhana Festival (Waikōloa, Nov. 7)
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Queens’ Marketplace, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Drive
Celebrate early childhood development and community at this free family-friendly event hosted by Puakalehua Early Learning Consortium. Connect with early-learning providers, explore resources and enjoy a fun day with the ʻohana, including free hot dogs, line dancing and entertainment. Saddle up and c’mon down!
More info: Email to puakalehuaconsortium@gmail.com or visit the Puakalehua Early Learning Consortium website.
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No. 7 — 9th annual AstroDay West 2026 (Kailua-Kona, Nov. 7)
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Kona Commons Shopping Center (former Old Navy), 74-5450 Makala Boulevard
Maunakea Observatories invites the community to this free, family-friendly event featuring interactive science demonstrations, educational activities and opportunities to learn from local astronomers, scientists and educators. The event will also feature prize drawings and other giveaways. p.m.,
More info: Visit the Maunakea Observatories website.
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No. 8 — Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (Waimea, Nov. 7-8)
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday
Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
The state’s only Academy Award-qualifying film festival continues to connect audiences with films from the islands, Asia, Pacific and around the world while championing Native Hawaiian, indigenous and emerging filmmakers. Celebrate the power of storytelling, foster cultural exchange and experience bold new voices that illuminate shared humanity through film. The festival continues Nov. 12-15 at the historic Palace Theater in Downtown Hilo.
More info/tickets/all access passes: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.
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No. 9 — 3rd annual A Night Under the Stars (Hilo, Nov. 7)
When: 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, 93 Banyan Drive
Join Magical Creatures Sanctuary for its annual fundraising gala, benefiting the animal rescue. It will be another unforgettable evening celebrating compassion, community and the 101 rescued animals who now call the sanctuary home. Includes dinner, live entertainment, silent auction and more.
More info/tickets: Click here.
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No. 10 — Hawai‘i Isle Police Activities League Kendama Tournament (Hilo, Nov. 8)
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium, 350 Kalanikoa St.
The community is invited to this family-friendly event featuring competition brackets in two skill levels: beginner and experienced, with divisions for elementary, intermediate and high school participants. Top two winners from each division win prizes. There also will be food booths, collectible vendors and other activities to enjoy.
More info: Contact Lt. Ryan Pagan with Hawai‘i Police Department Hilo Community Policing Section at 808-961-2350 or via email at ryan.pagan@hawaiipolice.gov.
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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/
