Top 10 things to do on Big Island for July 17-23: Hawai’i Got Talent, ‘Seussical,’ Seven Suns, Kolohe Fest, Celebrate Mauna Kea and more

Enjoy the great outdoors or cool air-conditioned spaces during the wide range of upcoming events and activities around the Big Island.

You can camp and cheer on musicians during Hawai‘i Got Talent this weekend at Captain Cook’s Lava Tube Campground or watch some of Dr. Seuss’ most beloved characters live on stage during “Seussical” at Aloha Theatre in Kāʻināliu.

Enjoy six-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Seven Suns for a live concert at the historic Palace Theater in downtown Hilo or 2 days of Kolohe Fest: The Vernal Vincent Memorial that includes high-powered drag racing, live entertainment, special attractions, tons of family-friendly fun and more at Hilo Drag Strip.

The Royal Order of Kamehameha I and lāhui also are celebrating Mauna Kea at Pu’u Huluhulu, across from the entrance to Mauna Kea Access Road. The event includes a potluck lunch, mauna updates, kanikapila and more.

And that’s just a sample of everything happening.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for July 17-23.

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No. 1 — Hawai‘i Got Talent (Captain Cook, July 17-19)

When: 3 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Sunday

Location: Captain Cook’s Lava Tube Campground, 92-2123 Hukilau Drive

A 3-day festival full of music, island vibes and family-friendly fun. Overnight camping available. Food vendors, cornhole tournament and an evening classic movie on a large outdoor screen also part of the fun. Pre-registration required for musicians and performers; spectators also can register in advance.

More info/pre-registration: Click here.

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No. 2 — Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund 30th Anniversary Celebration (Hilo, July 17)

When: 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Location: SCP Hilo Hotel, 126 Banyan Way

Come celebrate 30 years of conservation action in Hawai‘i and all the amazing volunteers who made it possible through the years. This free family event will include pupus, drinks and an amazing silent auction fundraiser. It’s an evening you don’t want to miss.

More info: Visit the Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund website.

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No. 3 — 49th annual Shakespeare in the Park Festival (Hilo, July 17-26)

When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays

Location: University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center lawn, 200 W. Kāwili St.

Join Hilo Community Players presents Shakespeare’s whirlwind farce “The Comedy of Errors,” with mistaken identities, madcap chases and laugh-out-loud chaos perfect for audiences of all ages. In addition, families can enjoy the KidShakes adaptation “A Bite-Sized Comedy of Errors,” with all the fun and mischief of the original, at 5 p.m. July 18-19 and 25-26. Admission is free. Bring your own seating and enjoy on-site concessions.

More info: Visit the Hilo Community Players website.

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No. 4 — “Seussical” (Kāʻināliu, July 17-Aug. 2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays

Location: Aloha Theatre, 79-7384 Māmalahoa Highway

This colorful, imaginative musical brings together some of Dr. Seuss’ most beloved characters in a story about friendship, loyalty and the power of imagination. Filled with memorable songs and larger-than-life characters, it celebrates the idea that every voice matters and a person’s a person, no matter how small.

More info/tickets: Visit the Aloha Theatre website or call 808-322-9924.

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No. 5 — Kolohe Fest: The Vernal Vincent Memorial (Hilo, July 18-19)

When: 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday

Location: Hilo Drag Strip, 2295 Ho‘olaulima Road

The premier drag racing and motorsports festival, featuring high-powered drag racing, motorcycles, hot rods, street cars, live entertainment, vendors, food, special attractions and tons of family-friendly fun. It’s an unforgettable weekend celebrating horsepower, community and Hawai‘i car culture.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kolohe Fest website.

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No. 6 — Christmas in July (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, July 18)

When: 9 a.m.

Location: Kahuku Unit, festival grounds adjacent to Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station (turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū)   

Enjoy a fun family-friendly day of handmade Hawaiian crafts, music, entertainment and tasty grinds. Face painting for keiki and ice shave, too. Free admission.

More info: Visit the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park online calendar.

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No. 7 — Fourth annual Kaʻū Community Health Fair (Pāhala, July 18)

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Pāhala Park and Community Center, 96-1149 Kamani St.

Join Kaʻū Hospital, East Hawai‘i Health Clinic-Kaʻū and partners for a free, fun and impactful day packed with live entertainment, awesome prizes and giveaways, delicious food vendors, health and wellness information, community resource booths and tons of keiki activities (yes, there will be a water slide).

More info: Contact Kaʻū Hospital at kauhospital@hhsc.org.

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No. 8 — “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Waimea, July 18-19)

When: 3 p.m. both days; 2 p.m. “Behind the Curtain” conversation

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

This PG-13 “Spelling Bee” presented by Hawai‘i Performing Arts Festival is full of quirky charm and unexpected heart. Six competitors — and a few brave audience volunteers — navigate the joys and challenges of growing up in a witty, heartfelt celebration of identity, resilience and connection.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 9 — Seven Suns live in concert (Hilo, July 18)

When: 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

This six-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning group has toured alongside international artists as well as collaborated with beloved voices in reggae. They are not just rising as a band, but a family — and the world is invited to rise with them.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

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No. 10 — Celebrate Mauna Kea (Pu‘u Huluhulu, July 19)

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Near mile marker 28, Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road/Highway 200), directly across from Mauna Kea Access Road

Join Royal Order of Kamehameha I and lāhui to celebrate the mauna with events including music video filming, potluck lunch (bring a dish to share; stew and rice provided), mauna updates and kanikapila. Wear your favorite mauna attire and bring your own chairs, umbrellas, pop-up canopies, instruments, water and non-alcoholic drinks and Hae Hawai‘i.

More info: Visit the Pu‘uhonua o Pu‘uhuluhulu 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 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/