Top 10 things to do on Big Island for March 27-April 2: Open-air tastings, Flow Fest 2026, journey to Far East, ‘Hop’ and more

Stormy weather isn’t on the guest list for any of this week’s events around the Big Island, so we enthusiastically encourage everyone to get out of the house to have some fun.

You can enjoy some tasty treats served up by Big Island chefs and restaurants in an open-air setting, with a premium cocktail or free mocktail and live entertainment on the side this Friday, March 27, in Waikōloa — all in support of Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative.

Rise together to honor rebirth, resilience and reclamation in Puna with a celebration on land forged by fire featuring a curated lineup of musical artists. It’s more than a concert — it’s 3 days from March 27-29 in Kalapana, where rhythm meets ceremony, dance meets intention and strangers become family.

Join West Hawai‘i County Band for its first free monthly concert of 2026 on March 29 in Kailua-Kona to take a journey to the Far East with music from Japan and Korea, including folk songs and musical highlights from films such as “Aladdin” and “The King and I,” plus even some K-pop.

We’re not fooling around here either. You can even “Hop” into the Easter season with a free family-friendly movie night April 1 at the Palace Theater in downtown Hilo. Watch the Easter Bunny’s son E.B. on a journey to become drummer in a rock and roll band, and enjoy some free popcorn and a hot dog while you’re watching.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for March 27-April 2.

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No. 1 — Culinary Arts Waikōloa Open-Air Tasting Night (Waikōloa, March 27)

Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Kings’ Shops, 250 Waikōloa Beach Drive

Get ready for a night of tasty bites from Big Island chefs and restaurants plus more all to benefit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative. Guests will stroll through tasting stations, stop into the open-air libation lounge for premium cocktails and complimentary mocktails, then settle in for live entertainment at Center Stage, featuring Abe Lagrimas Jr. Trio.

More info/tickets: Click here.

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No. 2 — Flow Fest 2026 (Kalapana, March 27-29)

Time: 2 p.m. daily; doors open at 1:30 p.m.

Location: Black Rock Aphitheater, Church of Aleva, 12-4901 Kaimu-Chain of Craters Road

This festival featuring a curated lineup of artists honors rebirth, resilience and reclamation. This is a celebration of a new day, rising together on land forged by fire, under open skies filled with stars, sunsets and moonrise. More than a concert, it is an experience, where rhythm meets ceremony, dance meets intention and strangers become family.

More info/tickets: Visit the Black Rock Ampitheater website.

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No. 3 — Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at Prince Jonah Kūhiō Hoʻolauleʻa (Nāʻālehu, March 28)

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Nāʻālehu Park, 95-5635 Hawaiʻi Belt Road

Rangers from the Kahuku Unit will participate in this celebration in honor of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole. Prince Kūhiō was the only member of U.S. Congress born into royalty and was integral in the establishment of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Come learn to play kōnane and weave wili he laʻi lei (twist a tī leaf lei).

More info: Contact Park Information at 808-985-6011.

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No. 4 — Good grooves and brews at Coffee Notes (Hilo; March 28, 29 and April 3)

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 6:30 p.m. VIP and 7:30 p.m. general admission April 3

Location: Coffee Notes, 116 Keawe St.

Enjoy accordion and slack key guitar vibes by Kalei Yamanoha on March 28. Stop by March 29 for the Sunday Jazz Brunch Series, featuring tunes by Alex Czerny and Ashley Harding on an acoustic piano and saxophone. Speakeasy 4 plays roaring 1920s jazz hits April 3 for an epic night raising funds for Project Hawaiʻi, a nonprofit supporting keiki in need of housing. General admission and VIP tickets available.

More info/tickets: Click here or visit the Coffee Notes Instagram page.

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No. 5 — Hawaiʻi Island Choreographers Concert (Waimea, March 28)

Time: 5 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Aspiring, emerging, established and professional choreographers from around Hawaiʻi Island join forces to present original choreography in various dance genres in celebration of music and dance. Special guest is award winning Peter Rockford Esperitu and his dance company Tau Dance Theater. Their work tours widely and is not to be missed. This will be a fun, creative and inspirational show.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 6 — Bassel & The Supernaturals (Waimea, March 29)

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Syrian heart. Midwest soul. This group blends deep funk, smooth soul and stirring storytelling in a sound that’s timeless and urgent. Led by first-generation Syrian-American Bassel Almadani, the band delivers captivating performances that explore themes of love, loss, identity and the ongoing Syrian crisis. Expect an afternoon of soulful grooves, powerful vocals and a heartfelt journey.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 7 — “A Musical Tour of the Far East” (Kailua-Kona, March 29)

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Hale Hālāwai, 75-5760 Ali‘i Drive

West Hawaiʻi County Band invites the community to join it for the first free monthly concert of 2026, a musical journey through Japan and Korea. The band will present an hour of music featuring Japanese and Korean folk songs as well as highlights from scores of films including “Aladdin,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “The King and I.” There will even be some K-pop.

More info: Visit the West Hawai‘i County Band website.

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No. 8 — DIA Movie Night: “Hop” (Hilo, April 1)

Time: 6 p.m.; doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Hilo Downtown Improvement Association presents this free family-friendly movie night with a special screening of “Hop.” E.B., the Easter Bunny’s teenage son, heads to Hollywood, determined to become a drummer in a rock ‘n’ roll band. Seating is first come, first served. RSVP to reserve your seat, along with a free popcorn and hot dog. Concessions available while supplies last.

More info/seat reservations: Visit the Palace Theater website or call 808-494-2423.

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No. 9 — Soyeon Kate Lee & Ran Dank, Piano (Hilo, April 1)

Time: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Location: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Performing Arts Center, 200 W. Kāwili St.

This husband-and-wife duo will not only perform individually, but also as a piano duo, showcasing a shared musical vision and strong commitment to realizing it — a commitment this couple had for many years. ​Their concert will include 2- and 4-handed music by composers such as Bach, Prokofiev, Ravel and Mendelssohn.

More info/tickets: Visit the Hawaiʻi Concert Society website.

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No. 10 — Silent Movie Night: “The Thief of Bagdad” (Hilo, April 2)

Time: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

The Palace Theater and Hilo Theatre Organ Society team up for another special event, raising funds for continued restoration and maintenance of the Robert Morton Pipe Organ. This 1924 classic/fantasy stars Douglas Fairbanks as the titular recalcitrant thief who vies with a duplicitous Mongol ruler for the hand of a beautiful princess. Live score performed by organist Walter Greenwood.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater 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/