Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival will bloom again in February

The 33rd annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival returns Feb. 7 and features multicultural performances, hands-on demonstrations and dozens of craft and food booths

Events will be held throughout the town, from Parker Ranch Historic Homes to Church Row Park. Pink banners mark venues for the festival, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 2026 festival artwork, titled “The Future is Bright,” was created by Waimea photographer Barbara Schaefer. The image blends snow-capped Mauna Kea and cherry blossoms that are viewed through a crystal ball to symbolize a hopeful future.

The art appears on the official poster and souvenir booklet. This year’s event honors Fred and Nancy Nonaka for their longtime contributions to the festival and community.

The Cherry Choo Choo train also will provide rides for keiki for $5.

2026 Festival Activities and Lineup

Church Row Park — Highway 19

• Historical Cherry Tree Display: Waimea Lions’ Club offers a pictorial history of the cherry trees and serves as the festival’s official Lost and Found station. Festival t-shirt sales.
• Entertainment: Halau Manaola, Ryukukoku Matsuri Daiko Taiko, Chinese lion dance by Majesty, bon dance, Kealakehe Intermediate Polynesian Dance Group and Puna Taiko 9:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Bonsai: The Waimea Bon-yu Kai Bonsai Club offers a display and sale of bonsai, ongoing demonstrations and a clinic to discuss and work on the art of bonsai.

Kamuela Hongwanji — Church Row Park

• Food & Activities: Mission members offer food sales: chichi mochi, andagi and types of bento. Calligraphy and modified Shorin Ryu Style karate demo.
• Cooking Demos: Watch chefs from Hawai‘i Island resorts and restaurants 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Open House at Kamuela Hongwanji: Rev. Daido Baba explains Shin Buddhism rituals.
• Stamping: Interactive uchiwa (fan) and hachimaki (headband) stamping presented by Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i

Parker Ranch Center — Highway 19

• Festival Entertainment Stage: In the Centerʻs back parking lot. 9 a.m. blessing opens festival with introduction of dignitaries and 2026 honorees; entertainment until 3 p.m. Join-in dancing with North Hawai‘i Bon Dancers accompanied by Kona Hongwanji Taiko and Team Majestic Lion Dancers starting 9:30 a.m., followed by the Saddle Road Band, Damon Williams & RIZZYN Band, Always Free and Taishoji Taiko.
• Craft Fair: Over 75 crafters and info booths inside and out of the Center.
• Mochi Tsuki Pounding: Help pound mochi with members of the Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple outside in the back parking lot starting 10 a.m. while supplies last; warm mochi samples.
• Family Craft Activities: In the Fireside Food Court Rear Dining Room, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Selfie Photo Station: #WaimeaCBF, #thinkpink #ParkerRanchCenter @ParkerRanchCenter
• Bon Dance Lessons: with Tsukikage Odorikai in the Gazebo fronting Uiha Hat Bar, 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Foodland Food Demo and Activities

Kahilu Theatre — Lindsey Road at rear of Parker Ranch Center

• Entertainment/Art: Annual Juried Contemporary Art Exhibit
• Live Asian Dance & Music: “Sakura Beauty and Spirit” 2-3 p.m.

Mana Christian ‘Ohana (Old Kahilu Town Hall) — Lindsey Road behind Parker Ranch Center

• Kravin’ Munchies Craft Fair and Quilt Display
• Vehicle Display: IK Dealer Group displays new vehicles from Kama‘aina Motors, Kama‘aina Nissan, Kona Nissan and Kona Auto Center behind the Center in the adjacent grassy lot

Kamuela Hardwoods — Lindsey Road behind Mana Christian ‘Ohana (Old Kahilu Town Hall)

• First Saturday Artisan’s Hui
• Showroom Tours of Different Island Woods
• Woodworking Workshop: Make a charcuterie board, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., $45 fee

Waimea Historic Corner — Highways 19/190 intersection

• Firehouse Gallery Activities: Waimea Arts Council presents 33rd Annual Cherry Blossom Exhibition, “Big Island Blooms,” with originals and prints for sale, including the 2026 festival posters for $10 that will be signed by photographer Barbara Schaefer.
• Waimea Preservation Association Cottage: open house and fun on the 20-foot-square chess board 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library: Create a 3D hanging cherry blossom decoration with guidance from Waimea Arts Council artist. Materials provided (while supplies last).

Parker Ranch Historic Homes — Highway 190

• Free Tours of Historic Homes: Visit Pu‘uopelu and Mana Hale, two homes that chronicle the Parker familyʻs rich history involving monarchs, ranching and Broadway.
• Japanese Tea Ceremony: The Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hilo Association interactive tea ceremonies 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Feather Lei Making Demos:10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Parker Ranch Merchandise Sales

Waimea Center — Highway 19

• KTA Super Stores Waimea: Food demos, sampling 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Waimea Center’s Atrium: Entertainment 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m, taiko, koto, jazz, lion dance

Historic Spencer House — (Next to Waimea Center) Highway 19

• Japanese Collectibles: View a display of vintage kimono, obi and collection of kokeshi dolls, plus learn about the 1840 Spencer House.

Kamuela Liquor Store – Highway 19

• Sake tasting, book signing, noon-3 p.m. Talk story with Cheryl Soon, author of “Remembering History and Honoring Culture-Statues, Monuments and Memorials on Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, Maui and Moloka‘i.”

Pukalani Stables – Pukalani Road

• Kamuela Farmers Market: Browse over 65 food and product vendors, including sales of cherry trees and blooming branches 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Entertainment from 9 a.m.: Darlene Ahuna, Dennis Garcia, lion dance, bon dance; face painting 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Paniolo Heritage Center: The Paniolo Preservation Society offers a self-guided tour of the history of Hawai‘i’s cowboys, visit ranch-themed gift shop.
• Holo Holo Ku: at Parker Ranch next to Pukalani Stables

Free entry along with shuttle service provided by Roberts Hawaii between major venues, with parking available at Parker Ranch Center, near Church Row Park, Kamuela Hardwoods, and along Pukalani Street. Free activity guides and souvenir programs will be available onsite and online via QR codes.

Presented by the county Department of Parks and Recreation and community members, the festival celebrates the blooming of historic cherry trees and the Japanese tradition of hanami.