Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Sept. 18-24: Breadfruit summit, paniolo festival, PRIDE, magic, Kaʻū Bon Dance and more
It's another interesting mix of events happening during the next week around the island; be sure to check out all top 10 things to do now!
Hey, Big Island! Do we have an interesting mix of events, activities and more happening around the island during the next week.
It’s a week of ‘ulu from Sept. 19-24 in South Kona with an international gathering that brings together farmers, researchers, chefs, educators and others for the 2026 ‘Ulu Ho‘olaule‘a & Global Breadfruit Summit, celebrating all things breadfruit.
Aloha Festivals Island of Hawaiʻi closes out this year’s Paniolo Festival on Sept. 19 with the 74th annual Waimea’s Paniolo Parade and Hoʻolauleʻa, celebrating paniolo as the skilled horsemen and cattle ranchers they are as well as cultural practitioners who embody aloha ʻāina, mālama, kuleana and resilience.
The 7th annual KONA PRIDE Festival on Sept. 19 in Kailua-Kona promises a day of equality, music, entertainment and more celebrating the diversity and pride of West Hawaiʻi. There also are tons of events and activities planned for the entire weekend.
Award-winning illusionist Josh Farley brings his national Magic Across America Tour to Aloha Theatre on Sept. 20 in Kainaliu for two unforgettalbe performances filled with impossible illusions, comedy and more, plus a few surprises, suitable for everyone.
And the Big Island’s summer bon dance season comes to a close Sept. 19 with the Kaʻū Bon Dance in Nāʻālehu, featuring a community memorial service and this unique the bon dance representing Kaʻū’s deep cultural, plantation-era roots.
Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Sept. 18-24 now!
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No. 1 — 2026 ‘Ulu Hoʻolauleʻa & Global Breadfruit Summit (South Kona, Sept. 19-24)
When: Various times throughout the summit
Location: Various venues throughout historic Kaluʻulu breadfruit belt of South Kona
This landbmark international gathering brings together farmers, researchers, indigenous knowledge holders, chefs, educators, community leaders and innovators from around the Pacific Ocean region and beyond for a week of ‘ulu, celebrating breadfruit as an ancestral statple food and climate-resilient crop.
More info/registration/event lineup: Visit the official summit website.
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No. 2 — Aloha Festivals Island of Hawaiʻi Paniolo Festival 74th annual Waimea’s Paniolo Parade and Hoʻolauleʻa (Waimea, Sept. 19)
When: Parade 10 a.m.; Hoʻolauleʻa 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Parade route is from Waimea Park to S.K. Schutte Waimea District Park; Hoʻolauleʻa, S.K. Schutte Waimea District Park, 67-1315 Ala ʻŌhiʻa Road
This year’s festival and parade celebrate paniolo not only as skilled horsemen and cattle ranchers, but as cultural practitioners who embody aloha ʻāina, mālama, kuleana and resilience. “Aloha i ka Hawaiian Cowboy!” honors the origins of Waimea paniolo while celebrating their enduring legacy.
More info/Hoʻolauleʻa lineup and entertainment: Visit the Aloha Festivals Island of Hawaiʻi website.
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No. 3 — Life Is A Beach in Hawaiʻi (Volcano Village, Sept. 19)
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road
Join Puakea Soares to create a piece of Hawaiʻi during this fun and relaxing painting class. Choose your favorite beach scene and design a beautiful keepsake ornament using acrylic paints, sand, shells and natural elements. Pick Punaluʻu, ʻAnahoʻomalu or any of the other amazing beaches around the island.
More info/registration: Visit the Volcano Art Center website or call 808-967-8222.
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No. 4 — 7th annual KONA PRIDE Festival (Kailua-Kona, Sept. 19)
When: 1 p.m.
Location: Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel Lūʻau Grounds, 75-5660 Palani Road
It’s a day of equality, music, entertainment and more celebrating the diversity and pride of West Hawaiʻi. Highlights include performances by Hawai’i-based artists, special guest appearances from stars of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and more, plus additional events happening all weekend.
More info/tickets to events: Visit the KONA PRIDE website and follow @KonaPrideHawaii on Instagram and Facebook for additional information and announcements.
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No. 5 — Kaʻū Bon Dance (Nāʻālehu, Sept. 19)
When: Community memorial service 2 p.m.; bon dance 3 to 7 p.m.
Location: Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, 95-5695 Hawaiʻi Belt Road
Community members are invited to this unique Obon festival, which closes out the Big Island summer bon dance season. It is co-hosted by Pāhala Hongwanji and Nāʻālehu Hongwanji alongside community group ʻO Kaʻū Kākou and represents Kaʻū’s deep cultural, plantation-era roots.
More info: Call Wayne at 808-937-4773.
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No. 6 — Hilton Waikōloa Village Wine Dinner Series (Waikōloa, Sept. 19)
When: 5 p.m.
Location: Kamuela Provision Company, 69-425 Waikōloa Beach Drive
The latest installment of this ongoing 5-course dinner series and intimate dining experience features an exclusive menu curated by Kamuela Provision Company Chef de Cuisine Andy Nonog III, each course paired with a selection of Penfolds wines highlighting its renowned Australian winemaking heritage.
More info/reservations: Visit the Hilton Waikōloa Village website.
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No. 7 — 4th annual Big Island Walk & Roll to Cure ALS (Waimea, Sept. 20)
When: Check-in and registration 9 to 9:30 a.m.; walk and roll 10 a.m.
Location: Parker School, 65-1224 Lindsey Road
Community members will gather for a family-friendly morning of celebration, exercise, education, awareness, inspiration, music and fun to raise funds to support the mission of ALS Network and those in Hawaiʻi affected by ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
More info: Contact ALS Network Associate Director of Community Outreach AnnMarie Ingham at 808-480-9689 or via email at BIwalk@alsnetwork.org.
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No. 8 — Josh Farley’s Magic Across America Tour (Kāʻināliu, Sept. 20)
When: 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Location: Aloha Theatre, 79-7384 Māmalahoa Highway
This award-winning illusionist brings his national touring show to West Hawaiʻi for two unforgettable experience filled with world-class sleight of hand, impossible illusions, audience participation, comedy and surprises for all ages.
More info/tickets: Click here.
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No. 9 — Neave Trio presented by Hawaiʻi Concert Society (Hilo, Sept. 23)
When: Doors open 6:30; concert begins 7 p.m.
Location: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Performing Arts Center, 200 W. Kāwili St.
This two-time Grammy Award-nominated trio was praised by BBC Music Magazine for performances that “balance passion with sensitivity and grace.” It is known for its fiery connection, exuberance and shared sense of storytelling, reflecting the deep human bonds at the core of chamber music.
More info/tickets: Visit the Hawaiʻi Concert Society website.
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No. 10 — Gallery reception for exhibits “In My Dreams I am on a Mountain” and “Visualizing Harmony” (Waimea, Sept. 24)
When: 5 to 7 p.m.
Location: Kahilu Theatre, Simperman and Suli T. Go galleries, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
Kahilu Theatre invites the public to this free reception for these two solo exhibits that share the experiences of artists Ken Charon and Dominic Tidmarsh, who honed their artistry during the past 4 decades living and creating on the Big Island.
More info: Visit the Kahilu Theatre 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.
- 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
- 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/
