December

Niaulani Nature Walk
Mondays
A one-hour nature walk through an old-growth Hawaii rainforest on an easy loop trail. Walkers are introduced to the native plants and birds of Kilauea volcano. Free. 9:30 a.m. Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus, (808) 967-8222
 
Under the New Moon
Last Tuesdays
An evening of Hawaiian storytelling with Kumu Keala Ching, live Hawaiian music and hula performances. Bring your own beach chair or mat. No coolers. Free. 5 to 6:30 p.m. Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, nawaiiwiola.org
 
Kohala Night Market
First Wednesdays
A monthly community event featuring local products for sale, live entertainment, food trucks and service booths. 4 to 7 p.m. Kohala Village Hub, (808) 889-5471
 
Hooulu Farmers Market & Artisans Fair
Wednesdays and Fridays
A market featuring 100 percent locally made, grown and created products and live entertainment. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa, bigislandmkt.com
 
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
 
Friday Night Market
Fridays
A weekly market in downtown Hilo with live entertainment, local food, unique crafts, gifts, jewelry and more. Hilo Town Market, hilotownmarket.co
 
Night Market
Second and fourth Fridays
Live music, food trucks and dozens of local vendors with Hawaii Island products, artwork and other artisanal goods. 4 to 8 p.m. Kings' Shops in Waikoloa, (808) 886-8811
 
Halekii Farmers Market & Craft Fair
First Saturdays
Local crafts and art vendors, keiki entrepreneurs, fresh food, ohana-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 Hawaii Cultural Center, (808) 961-5711
 
Made in Hawaii 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
 
16th Annual Hawaii Nei
Through 12/12
An annual juried art exhibition celebrating the native species and ecosystems of Hawaii Island. Wailoa Center, wailoacenter.com
 
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, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, volcanoartcenter.org
 
Hee Nalu: The Art & Legacy of Hawaiian Surfing
Through 1/4/2025
A small-scale exhibit spanning 2,000 years of surfing history from the earliest stories of surf deities to contemporary works of art and surfing innovations through the lens of thirteen modern Kanaka Oiwi creatives and cultural practitioners. East Hawaii Cultural Center, (808) 280-3554
 
2024 Kapa Invitational
Through 1/5
Waimea treasure and 2023 National Heritage Fellowship awardee Roen Hufford brings together the work of extraordinary kapa makers. Kahilu Theatre-Simperman & Suli T. Go Galleries, kahilu.org
 
Peace, Light, & Love
12/1
Waimea Community Chorus presents its 30th Winter Concert with a repertoire representing a variety of genres, including Mozart, Haydn, gospel, spirituals and traditional songs. Kahilu Theatre, kahilu.org
 
Na Makua Invitational Christmas Gift Fair
12/6&7
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 Kanakaole Tennis Stadium, namakua.com
 
Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade
12/7
In its 64th year, this annual evening parade features Santa and a brigade of lighted trucks. 6 p.m. Waimea, waimeatown.org
 
Holualoa Music and Light Festival
12/7
The town of Holualoa 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. Holualoa, holualoavillage.com
 
Paradise Studio Art Tour
12/7&8
This annual art tour invites the public to visit 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
 
Kokua Kailua Village Stroll
12/8
Alii Drive transforms into a festive, pedestrian-only marketplace filled with music and art. 1 to 6 p.m. Kailua-Kona, historickailuavillage.com
 
Kilauea Hula Kahiko
12/14
Hula and chant on a sacred site near the Volcano Art Center with Hope Manaolana Keawe. Call ahead to confirm the monthly event. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Volcano Art Center Gallery, volcanoartcenter.org
 
Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade
12/14
Business and community groups, musical and choral groups, and many others take part in this colorful parade, which starts at 5 p.m. Alii Drive, paradesinkona.com
 
Jazz in the Forest
12/14
This monthly series highlights local musicians at the Dietrich Varez Hall surrounded by native Hawaiian rainforest. December's concert is themed "Holiday Spirit." Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus, volcanoartcenter.org
 
Kalani Pea Home for the Holidays
12/20
Grammy and Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Kalani Pea performs holiday numbers with special guests Kumu Hula Polanimakamae Kahakalau-Kalima, Noeau Kahakalau-Kalima and Halau Hula Kauluola. Palace Theatre, hilopalace.com

January

Makana
1/11
Singer and composer Makana's music transcends traditional slack key guitar to include folk and cross-cultural blends, as well as bluegrass, blues, Latin, rock and modern forms like hip-hop. Kahilu Theatre, kahilu.org
 
Muriel Anderson
1/11
Guitarist and singer Muriel Anderson performs at the Dietrich Varez Hall surrounded by native Hawaiian rainforest. Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus, volcanoartcenter.org
 
Luedji Luna
1/18
Singer-songwriter Luedji Luna is one of the most powerful voices in contemporary Brazilian music, mixing the sounds of Bahian and African drums. Kahilu Theatre, kahilu.org
 
Na Pua Pasifika Premiere & Talk Story
1/19
A premiere screening of episode two of the Na Pua Pasifika series featuring the canoe plant uhi (yam). There will be a lobby reception prior to the screening with samples of uhi and tips for growing your own, along with an Q&A after the screening. Kahilu Theatre, kahilu.org
 
Kokua Kailua Village Stroll
1/19
Alii 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 Hulihee Palace. 1 to 6 p.m. Kailua-Kona, (808) 936-9202
 
MasterWorks II: Shakespeare in Paradise
1/26
Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra presents a rich tapestry of music inspired by Shakespeare's works along with performances by Youth Concerto Competition winners. Kahilu Theatre, kahilu.org