3 Best Performing Arts Venues in Big Island, Hawaii

Each summer, on the Saturday nearest to King Kamehameha Day (June 11), at least 100 regal riders on horseback parade through Historic Kailua Village, showing off the colorful flora and aloha spirit of Hawaii. This spectacular free event is one of the highlights of summer. The traditional royal pau riders (women dressed in long skirts) include a queen and princesses representing the major Hawaiian Islands. A cultural festival with live music and a houlaulea (local fundraiser) always follow on the historic grounds of Hulihee Palace, Hawaii Island's only royal palace.

Held over 10 days in early November, the longest-running food festival in Hawaii celebrates world-renowned Kona coffee. The highly anticipated Kona-side festival includes coffee contests, serious cupping (tasting) competitions, a lecture series, label contests, farm tours, and a colorful community parade featuring the newly crowned Miss Kona Coffee. Throughout locations in town and at many Kona coffee plantations, you can meet growers and sample estate coffees.

Since 1993, a local radio station has sponsored the island's largest free concert, a famous hoolaulea (festival) that takes place mid-September in downtown Hilo and attracts a bounty of Big Island musical talent. Music styles featured included Hawaiian, reggae, and island music. Some big names play here on four different stages, and there's dancing in the streets along the bayfront, rain or shine.