Hawaiʻi Island Summer Guide 2026: Top Experiences
Plan your Hawaiʻi Island summer trip to include the islands top festivals and activities.
Festivals & Events
9th Annual Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival
June 5-7
A 3-day celebration of Hawai'i Island and Hawaiian culture. Includes a fashion show, hula hō'ike, firkenife competition, live music, food and more. Hosted at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort.
4th of July in Waikoloa
July 4
Family celebration at Queens' Marketplace with live music, games and face painting all day long.
Independence Day Pool Parties
July 4-10
Pool parties and festive events at Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort. Fireworks on fourth of July.
Summer BBQ Bash with Jack Arnold
July 17
6-9 p.m.
Fairmont Orchid's Summer BBQ is hosted by grill-master Jack Arnold with live-fire cooking stations, chef-curated tastings, live music from Kalaʻe & Kalena Parish and more.
Located at the Fairmont Orchid (Kohala Coast)
Summer Celebrations & Culinary Pop-Ups at Kona Village
June – August
A rotating series of monthly pop‑ups featuring award‑winning chefs and acclaimed mixologists from across the U.S. hosted at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort.
June 26–27 — Chef Kevin Fink of Austin-based Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group.
4th of July Weekend — Hawaiʻi‑born pioneer of modern cocktail culture Julie Reiner takes over Shipwreck Bar with 4th of July BBQ featuring family-friendly activities.
August 28–29 — The Peach Crease Club from Denver, led by husband‑and‑wife bar veterans Alex Jump and Stuart Jensen, will host a pop‑up at Shipwreck Bar and Island Roots.
Monthly — Paniolo Pāʻina: Experience the rich heritage of Hawaiian ranching through an evening of food, music and storytelling. The outdoor gathering features a buffet‑style dinner prepared in a wood‑fired kitchen, alongside live music, hula and fire dancing.
Weekly — Pūlehu Night: Sunset dinner and live music at Kahuwai Cookhouse with live-fire cooking stations, inspired by the tradition of pūlehu – a time of gathering, abundance, and connection.
Located at Kona Village, A Redwood Resort
To book summer dining experiences at Kona Village email: konavillage.dining@rosewoodhotels.com
Hawaiʻiloa Lūʻau
Every Saturday
5:30 p.m. — Lū’au dinner buffet and hula performance featuring Samoan fire knife dancing.
Located at the Fairmont Orchid (Kohala Coast)
Queens’ Culinary Market
2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month
4-7 p.m.
Local produce, artisans, and food at Queens’ Marketplace in Waikoloa.
Keauhou Farmers Market
Every Saturday
8 a.m. to noon
Locally grown produce and goods at Keauhou Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona.
Browse all Hawaiʻi Island Events
Top Summer Activities
- Kayak Kealakekua Bay
- Hike to a black sand beach
- Snorkel with manta rays at night
- See a volcano
- Visit a coffee farm
- Drive the Hāmākua Coast
- Shop at the Hilo farmers market
- Charter a private boat
- Join a walking food tour
- Wake up with a sunrise canoe paddle
2026 Hawaiʻi Island Summer Guide: Letter from the Editor
2026 Hawaiʻi Island Summer Guide: Top Experiences
2026 Hawaiʻi Island Guide: What’s New
2026 Hawaiʻi Island Guide: Plan Your Trip