TrekUnity
When
April
Attendance
~20,000
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Both
Held each spring in Hilo on the Big Island, the Merrie Monarch Festival is the world's most prestigious hula competition — a weeklong celebration of Hawaiian culture named for King David Kalākaua, who revived hula in the 19th century, culminating in three nights of hula kahiko (ancient) and ‘auana (modern) performances by hālau from across the islands.
Tickets to the competition are famously scarce, but the festival fills Hilo with a craft fair, an art show, and a grand parade, offering a deep and authentic immersion in Hawaiian tradition far from the resort crowds.
Want to go? Turn Merrie Monarch Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
The week after Easter (April)
Admission
Competition ticketed (very limited) · fair, art show & parade free
Parking
Downtown Hilo and the stadium have lots; things fill during festival week, so arrive early.
Nearest airport
Hilo International (ITO) — ~10 min
Typical weather
Warm, wet Hilo spring — 70s–80s °F; Hilo is one of the rainiest cities in the U.S., so bring rain gear.
Official website
Location
Hilo, HI
Where to stay
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo
Bayfront hotel near downtown (books out a year ahead).
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Classic hotel on Hilo Bay.
Hilo B&Bs & rentals
Local guesthouses — reserve very early for festival week.
Where to eat & drink
Cafe 100
Home of the loco moco, a Hilo institution.
Suisan Fish Market
Fresh poke bowls by the bay.
Hilo Farmers Market
Tropical fruit, flowers, and local food.
Nearby attractions
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Active volcanoes and lava landscapes ~45 min away.
Rainbow Falls
A gorgeous waterfall just outside downtown Hilo.
Liliʻuokalani Gardens
Serene Japanese gardens on Hilo Bay.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + bay
- •Fly into ITO
- •Afternoon: Liliʻuokalani Gardens + Rainbow Falls
- •Dinner: loco moco at Cafe 100
2Festival + culture
- •Morning: craft fair + Hawaiian art show
- •Evening: hula performances
3Volcanoes + depart
- •Morning: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
- •Head to ITO
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Request competition tickets months ahead — they're scarce; otherwise enjoy the free fair, art show, and parade.
- Book Hilo lodging a year out for festival week.
- Add Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — it's right there.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Merrie Monarch Festival?
The week after Easter, in April, in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
How do you get competition tickets?
They're extremely limited and sell out via mail-in request months ahead — but the craft fair, art show, and grand parade are free and open to all.
What else is nearby?
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, and Liliʻuokalani Gardens are all close to Hilo.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Merrie Monarch Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.