Overview

The Merrie Monarch Festival is an annual week-long cultural celebration and hula competition held each spring in Hilo on the Big Island.

Established to honor King David Kalākaua, known as the “Merrie Monarch,” the festival showcases hālau hula (hula schools) from across Hawaiʻi and beyond. Competition nights feature traditional and contemporary hula performances, chant, and live Hawaiian music.

Festival week also includes cultural events, exhibitions, and community activities that highlight Hawaiian arts, language, and heritage.

Tickets are required for individual nights of competition and select events, with details released annually on the official Merrie Monarch Festival website.