December

 

Niaulani Nature Walk

Mondays

A one-hour nature walk through an old-growth Hawai‘i rainforest on an easy loop trail. Walkers are introduced to the native plants and birds of Kīlauea volcano. Free. 9:30 a.m. Volcano Arts Center’s Niaulani Campus, (808) 967-8222

Portuguese Bread Baking

Thursdays

Observe the traditional art of baking Portuguese bread in a large wood-fired stone oven, or forno. Bread sales begin at 1 p.m. Program begins at 10 a.m. Kona Historical Society, (808) 323-3222

A Walk into the Past

Fridays

Take a walk back in time to 1912 and meet the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Thomas A. Jaggar, at the edge of Kīlauea volcano. Free. 10 a.m. to noon. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, (808) 985-6000

Night Market

Second and Fourth Fridays

Live music, food trucks and dozens of local vendors with Hawai‘i Island products, artwork and other artisanal goods. 4 to 8 p.m. Kings’ Shops in Waikoloa, (808) 886-8811

Haleki‘i Farmers Market & Craft Fair

First Saturdays

Local crafts and art vendors, keiki entrepreneurs, fresh food, ʻohana-centered outreach, sustainable-living resources and live music. Free. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kona Grill House, (808) 960-7728

Youth Arts Saturdays

Second Saturdays

Keiki of all ages are welcome to join guest artists and local organizations in making a variety of creative projects. Free. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, (808) 961-5711

Artisan Market

Second Saturdays

Local crafters and makers selling gifts, art, crafts and food. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kona Commons Shopping Center, (808) 854-1439

Hawai‘i Nei 2023

Through 12/14

A juried art exhibition celebrating the native flora and fauna of Hawai‘i Island. Wailoa Center, (808) 933-0416

Christmas in the Country

Through 12/31

Special holiday celebrations, including art demonstrations plus a fine selection of handcrafted decorations and gifts offered only during the holiday season. Free. Volcano Art Center, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, (808) 967-7565

Nā Mākua Invitational Christmas Gift Fair

12/1&2

Nelson Makua, longtime director of the Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair, curates a  Christmas fair with food, entertainment, fine arts and handmade crafts. Edith Kanaka‘ole Tennis Stadium, (808) 969-7985

Hōlualoa Music and Light Festival

12/2

The town of Hōlualoa celebrates the holidays with an annual lighting of the town Christmas tree, live music, gallery gatherings, art openings, complimentary treats and beverages from shops and an appearance by Santa. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hōlualoa, holualoavillage.com

Street Eats

12/2

Food trucks line up in historic Kailua Village offering a variety of the island’s best food trucks and food vendors of all kinds along with live musical entertainment, performances and hula throughout the day.11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ali‘i Drive, (808) 936-9202

Jazz In The Forest

12/2

This bi-monthly series highlights local musicians at the Dietrich Varez Hall surrounded by native Hawaiian rainforest. December’s concert is themed “Holiday Spirit – Go Tell It On The Mountain” featuring Jean Pierre Thoma and the Jazztones. Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, (808) 967-8222

Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade

12/2

In its sixty-third year, this annual evening parade features Santa and a brigade of lighted trucks. 5:30 p.m. Main Street, Waimea, (808) 936-0670

Christmas with the Chefs

12/2

Top local chefs and confectioners prepare cuisine with a holiday twist— all accompanied

by handcrafted ales, wines and Kona coffee. Attendees can enjoy live music, dancing under the stars and a silent auction. Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, (808) 960-2338

Paradise Studio Art Tour

12/2&3

In its seventeenth year, this art tour invites the public to visit twenty-five local artists in their home studios. There will be free art demonstrations and music. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Various locations, paradisestudiotour.com

Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade

12/9

Business and community groups, musical and choral groups and many others take part in this colorful parade, which starts at 5 p.m. Ali‘i Drive, paradesinkona.com

Kōkua Kailua Village Stroll

12/10

Ali‘i Drive transforms into a festive, pedestrian-only marketplace filled with music and art. At 4 p.m. there is a free Hawaiian music concert at Hulihe‘e Palace. 1 to 6 p.m. Kailua-Kona, (808) 936-9202

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival

12/13–15

This free annual festival includes steel guitar performances, workshops and jam sessions where festival guests can play along with professional musicians. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, hawaiisteelguitarfestival.com

Kalani Pe‘a Purple Hawaiian Christmas

12/15

GRAMMY  and Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner Kalani Pe‘a performs holiday numbers with special guests Lorna Lim and Wailau Ryder, along with featured hula performances throughout the show. Kahilu Theatre, (808) 885-6868

Jingle Bell Beach Run

12/17

This annual event includes a 5K run/walk on the island and a free keiki dash (for 50, 100 and 200 yards) along Ali‘i Drive. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers as well as the three best Christmas- and holiday-themed costumes. 7:30 to 9 a.m. Kailua-Kona, kona5k.com

January

OperAloha

1/14

This multi-cultural and multi-genre showcase of world renowned opera artists will feature tenor Moisés Salazár, mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz, bass-baritone Samson Setu, soprano Maria Valdes and pianist/producer Ronny Michael Greenberg. Kahilu Theatre, (808) 885-6868

Riding the Tides of Music

1/21

Kamuela Philharmonic presents Richard Wagner’s Götterdämmerung: Rhine Journey, the world premiere of Hawaiian composer Paul Csige’s Surfing Symphony, and performances from the Madeline Schatz-Harris Youth Concerto Competition winners. Kahilu Theatre, (808) 885-6868

Kōkua Kailua Village Stroll

1/21

Ali‘i Drive transforms into a festive, pedestrian-only marketplace filled with music and art. At 4 p.m. there is a free Hawaiian music concert at Hulihe‘e Palace. 1 to 6 p.m. Kailua-Kona, (808) 936-9202