Top 10 things to do on Big Island for June 19-25: Kaʻū Coffee Festival, ‘Frozen,’ celebrating the solstice and more
June continues to offer a full slate of events, activities and festivals around the island.
4 hours ago
June continues to offer a full slate of events, activities and festivals around the Big Island.
This week, honor the people, places and traditions that shaped the remarkable story of Kaʻū coffee by attending the last 2 days of this year’s Kaʻū Coffee Festival, including the annual grand finale Ho‘olaue‘a, an island-style celebration with local music, hula, ‘ono grinds, crafts and keiki activities.
Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre also begins its run of “Disney’s Frozen” this weekend on the Palace Theater stage, bringing to life the beloved story of sisters Anna and Elsa complete with the familiar music and plenty of Disney magic.
Plus, if you’re looking to celebrate the coming of the summer season, officially, there are several events planned ringing in the summer solstice June 20, including PunaKat jamming out in The Rainbow Room at The Booch Bar in Hilo, Midsummer Magic at Sunshine Sacred Sanctuary in Pāhoa and a Summer Solstice Picnic at Hawaiian Sanctuary in Leilani Estates.
Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for June 19-25.
* * * * * * * * *
No. 1 — Kaʻū Coffee Festival (Pāhala, June 19-20)
When: Various times
Location: Various locations
The final 2 days of the 2026 Kaʻū Coffee Festival feature the Coffee & Cattle Day, during which participants can learn how descendants of the district’s first coffee farmers sustainably integrate coffee with pasture-raised beef, and the grand finale Kaʻū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaue‘a, an island-style celebration featuring local music, hula, broke ‘da mouth food booths, artisan crafts and keiki activities. Don’t miss your chance to honor the people, places and traditions that have shaped Kaʻū’s remarkable coffee story.
More info/register: Visit the Kaʻū Coffee Festival website and follow the festival on Facebook at @kaucoffeefest on X and Instagram.
* * * * * * * * *
No. 2 — E Ho‘olohe Kākou (Hilo, June 19)
When: 5 p.m.; doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Location: Nā Leo TV Hilo Studio, 91 Mohouli St.
This talk story listening tour is an opportunity for community members to tell Nā Leo TV how it supports them, what barriers and opportunities exist for local storytellers and how it can better serve youth, creators and residents interested in media, storytelling and the creative industries. It also is a chance to network with others.
More info/register: Visit the Nā Leo TV website.
* * * * * * * * *
No. 3 — Hilo Summer Birthday Bash (Hilo, June 19)
When: 5 p.m.; doors open at 4 p.m.
Location: Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo Crown Room, 93 Banyan Drive
Nothing but the bestest vibes, high energy and unforgettable moments returns to Hilo, with live performances by Hoʻaikane, Sudden Rush, Kona Town’s Finest, Pohaku, Tehani & Kuʻulei Music and Nā Mana Wāhine featuring Chardonnay. All ages welcome. Get your tickets now; you don’t want to miss it!
More info/tickets: Click here.
* * * * * * * * *
No. 4 — Art Party Fridays (Hilo, June 19)
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: East Hawai‘i Cultural Center Annex, 141 Kalākaua St.
Come be part of a safe, sober, creative community and communal art space. Bring your own supplies, already-in-progress art projects or start something new. Some basic supplies will be available, as well as refreshments. Cultivate camaraderie around a shared love or art. Open to ages 12 years old and older. Entry by donation (online or cash at the door).
More info: Visit the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center website or call 808-961-5711.
* * * * * * * * *
No. 5 — Juneteenth Community Festival (Pāhoa, June 19)
When: 6 p.m. to midnight
Location: Koa’s Lounge, 15-2929 Pāhoa Village Road
A day of festivities including music, food and activities honoring this important day in history. There also will be community vendors and art performances. Must be 21 years old or older to attend.
More info: Visit the Koa’s Lounge website or email to shaaun@koas.us.
* * * * * * * * *
No. 6 — “Disney’s Frozen” (Hilo, opening June 19)
When: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays
Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.
Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre brings the beloved Disney animated film to life on stage weekends through July 5, telling the story of sisters Anna and Elsa complete with the familiar music, dazzling costumes, breathtaking projections and plenty of Disney magic. Don’t let it go! Bring the whole family to create memories everyone will treasure.
More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website or call the box office at 808-934-7010.
* * * * * * * * *
No. 7 — Haʻi Moʻoleleo: Story Telling (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, June 20)
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station (turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū)
Hālau Nā Leo Haʻaheo O Kona presents a wondrous tale through hula, oli and narration, including Pele’s journey from Kahiki to Hawaiʻi, her time in Kīlauea and the moʻolelo of Hiʻiaka and Lohiʻau. The hālau will also honor the Hula Maʻi (procreation chants) that inspire the creation of new life and care for the land and its people.
More info: Visit the park website.
* * * * * * * * *
No. 8 — Midsummer Magic (Pāhoa, June 20)
When: 2 to 8 p.m.
Location: Sunshine Sacred Sanctuary, 15-2660 Pāhoa Village Road
Calling all fae folk! Come honor the Earth and sun through creativity, connection and joy with an abundance of events and activities to make merry in the midsummer magic of the summer solstice. Dress up as a fairy or forest creature, too, and make the event even more powerful.
More info: Visit the Sunshine Sacred Sanctuary website or direct message to @thealiciasunflower to RSVP.
* * * * * * * * *
No. 9 — Summer Solstice Picnic (Leilani Estates, June 20)
When: 3 to 10 p.m.
Location: Hawaiian Sanctuary, 13-3194 Pāhoa-Kalapana Road
Celebrate the longest day of the year by sharing food, stories and music while honoring the land that sustains the community. Bring a blanket, a favorite dish to share and your curiosity. Food vendors, wellness workshops and much more are planned.
More info/tickets: Click here.
* * * * * * * * *
No. 10 — PunaKat live (Hilo, June 20)
When: 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: The Booch Bar, 110 Keawe St.
This favorite Big Island jam band returns to The Rainbow Room for a Summer Solstice Party. Fresh off a summer tour, the group will perform an evening everyone can jam to, as all ages are welcome to attend. Suggested sliding scale donation of $5 to $20.
More info: Visit The Booch Bar website or call 808-498-4779.
* * * * * * * * *
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/
