Top 10 things to do on Big Island for June 26-July 2: Pride parade and festival, Festa Brasileira, ‘The Addiction of Hope,’ cultural festival and more

Festivals and events celebrating culture and community highlight events happening this week around the Big Island.

Everyone is invited to show off their brilliant rainbow colors June 27 during this year’s annual Hawai‘i Island LGBTQ+ Pride Parade and Festival in downtown Hilo, which promises another fabulous, family-friendly, fun-packed day.

You can also celebrate in observance of a famous June festival in northeast Brazil and World Cup season during the Festa Brasileira event June 26 in Hawaiian Paradise Park, complete with good, Brazilian food along with good music and good people.

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park in Hōnaunau celebrates its 65th annual Cultural Festival and Fee-Free Day on June 27, marking its 65th year as a unit of the National Park Service with cultural practitioners sharing crafts, hula and more.

A special fundraiser for the historic Aloha Theatre in Kealakekua is planned June 26 with a screening of “The Addiction of Hope,” an independent film touching on age, race, gender, family, health and the choices people make in life.

Music, lantern making, pottery and even more also are among upcoming events.

Check out the top 10 things to do on the Big Island for June 26-July 2.

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No. 1 — Festa Brasileira (Hawaiian Paradise Park, June 26)

When: Noon to 3 p.m.

Location: Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center, 15-1970 Maku‘u Drive

Everyone is invited to come celebrate in observance of São João, a famous June festival in northeast Brazil, and Copa Mundial (World Cup) season. This Brazilian party will feature good food such as feijoada (bean and meat stew), ensopado (chicken stew) and special São João foods milho (corn) and amendoim (peanuts) along with good music and good people.

More info: Call 808-300-8642 or email to CapoeiraRegionalHawaii@gmail.com.

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No. 2 — Pottery & Pride (Hilo, June 26)

When: 5 to 7 p.m.

Location: Hilo Bay Pottery, 29 Shipman St., No. 103

Celebrate Pride Month with an evening of pottery and community. All are welcome to join instructor Cady and paint your own ceramic “fruity” plate inspired by the vibrant colors of Hawai‘i’s local fruits. This guided workshop will walk you through creating a playful rainbow design while adding your own unique artistic flair. Cost includes glazng and firing.

More info/register: Visit the Hilo Bay Pottery website.

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No. 3 — Special screening of “The Addiction of Hope” (Kealakekua, June 26)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Aloha Theatre, 79-7384 Māmalahoa Highway

This independent, female-driven feature film touches on age, race, gender, family, health and the choices people make in life. A question-and-answer session will immediately follow the screening, with the film’s star Anne-Marie Johnson and writer/director Martin Gottlieb. The event also is a fundraiser for the historic Aloha Theatre.

More info/tickets: Visit the Aloha Theatre website.

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No. 4 — 65th annual Cultural Festival and Fee-Free Day (Hōnaunau, June 27)

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

Location: Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (travel Highway 11 to mile marker 104, turn onto Highway 160 for 3 miles, turn left on Ke Ala o Keawe Road and proceed to park entrance)

Celebrate the park’s 65th anniversary as a unit of the National Park Service with a special fun and family-friendly day featuring cultural practitioners sharing crafts, hula, displays and information tables with this year’s theme of “Hoʻolono i ka leo o ka ʻāina,” or “Listen to the voice of the land.”

More info: Visit the Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park website (nps.gov/puho) or call 808-328-2326.

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No. 5 — Kahuku Kōnane Challenge (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, June 27)

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)

The more you play this favorite Hawaiian game from the old days you realize there are depths and strategies that might not be obvious at first. Come learn its history and play the game. Reservations required. Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association will provide a prize for the winner and runner-up.

More info/RSVP: Click here.

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No. 6 — Hawai‘i Island LGBTQ+ Pride Parade and Festival (Hilo, June 27)

When: 11 a.m. parade; noon festival

Location: Parade throughout downtown Hilo; festival at Mo‘oheau Park, 369 Kamehameha Ave.

Everyone, especially members of the Big Island LGBTQ+ community and their allies, is welcome and encouraged to turn out and show off their brilliant rainbow colors during this annual fabulous, family-friendly, fun-packed day to stand “Strong Together, Proud Forever.” Anyone interested in participating in the parade, becoming a vendor or having a booth at the festival can click here to check availability. Those interested in volunteering can click here.

More info: Visit the Hawai‘i Island LGBTQ+ Pride website or email to hawaiiislandlgbtqpride@gmail.com.

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No. 7 — Puna Hongwanji Lantern Making (Kea‘au, June 27)

When: 3 p.m.

Location: Puna Hongwanji Mission, 16-492 Old Volcano Road

Still hurting. Still loving. Still going on. Everyone is welcome to join the temple to make lanterns in remembrance of loved ones no longer here. The last time slot is at 5 p.m., with 10 available slots per each time. Lantern making will be followed by a Memorial Parade, which everyone is also welcome to attend.

More info/reserve your space: Click here.

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No. 8 — “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” (Waimea, June 27-28)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Go on an electrifying adventure with a cast of talented youth performers during this show filled with humor, heart and rock-infused music. Follow Percy, a teenager who discovers he is a demigod, on his epic quest after he becomes prime suspect in stealing Zeus’ master lightning bolt.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 9 — Vizion 2020 “Summer Nights” (Hilo, June 27)

When: 6 to 10:30 p.m.; doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Island of Hawai‘i YMCA, 300 W. Lanikāula St.

Everyone 21 years old and older is invited to this special dance party featuring DJ music and a live band that will have you up on your feet grooving in no time. Bring your own beverages and snacks.

More info/advance tickets: Visit the Island of Hawai‘i YMCA website or call 808-935-3721.

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No. 10 — Big Island Bluegrass Jam at the Makers’ Market (Hawaiian Shores, June 28)

When: 1 to 4 p.m.

Location: The Stables/Hawaiian Shores Community Association Community Center, 15-859 Kahakai Boulevard

Anyone who enjoys bluegrass is invited to bring an acoustic stringed instrument, food and drink if you want (will be available at the market, too) and friends to cheer them on for another jam session. Plus, you can peruse the Makers’ Market, which will feature crafts and goodies made in East Hawai‘i. Beginners welcome. Free.

More info: Visit the event page on Facebook.

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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/