April

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

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 Kilauea volcano. Free. 10 a.m. to noon. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, (808) 985-6000

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

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

Merrie Monarch Festival
3/31-4/6
A week of Hawaiian cultural events centered around Hawaii's most prestigious hula competition. The festival includes exhibits, music, arts and crafts, as well as the Miss Aloha Hula, kahiko (ancient) hula and auana (modern) hula competitions. Edith Kanakaole Stadium, merriemonarch.com

Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair
4/3-6
Held in conjunction with the Merrie Monarch Festival, this event offers daily Hawaiian entertainment, artisans, crafters and food vendors from around the Islands and across the Pacific. Free admission. Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, merriemonarch.com

Hawaii Arts, Crafts & Food Festival
4/4-6
An annual festival during Merrie Monarch Week that celebrates Hawaii's cultural diversity with music, entertainment, performances and food. Free. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nani Mau Gardens, (808) 981-0518

Quatuor Agate
4/6
The award-winning French string quartet performs pieces by Mozart, Shostakovich and Dvorak. Kahilu Theatre, (808) 885-6868

Kilauea Hula Kahiko
4/13
Hula and chant on a sacred site near the Volcano Art Center with Halau o Maunalei. Call ahead to confirm the monthly event. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Volcano Art Center Gallery, (808) 967-7565

Kahilu Dance Night
4/13
Greg Shirley's Big Swing offers listeners and dancers alike everything from Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing to Salsa and Cha Cha. Kahilu Theatre, (808) 885-6868

Waimea All Schools Art Exhibition
4/18-5/26
An annual exhibition hosting artworks by students enrolled in kindergarten through high school in Waimea. Simperman & Hamakua Galleries, kahilu.org

Liko Ae Keiki Plus One
4/20 
A workshop for keiki and caregivers to explore the arts together. Open to keiki 8-13 years of age and one adult. Registration Required. Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus, (808) 967-8222

Kokua Kailua Village Stroll
4/21
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

Laupahoehoe Music Festival
4/25
A celebration of Hawaiian culture with music, crafts, games, food and a silent auction. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park, laupahoehoemusicfestival.org

Big Island Chocolate Festival
4/26&27
The festival includes guided farm tours, agricultural seminars, demonstrations by pastry experts and a gala with sweet and savory stations, live entertainment, dancing and a silent auction. Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, bigislandchocolatefestival.com

MAHU
4/27
An epic mele and hula extravaganza featuring some of the most talented Mahu artists in Hawaii today: Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Kuini & Kaumakaiwa Kanakaole. Kahilu Theatre, (808) 885-6868

May

Lei Day
5/1
With blossoms and plant materials provided by the Volcano Art Center Gallery, learn tips to sewing the perfect lei from master lei makers, the proper protocol of giving and receiving lei and more accompanied by live music. Free with entrance fees. VAC Gallery at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, (808) 967-8222 

Kamuela Philharmonic: Pops!
5/5
A concert of famous classical works intermixed with selections from the stage and silver screen that will have every generation saying, "I Know That One!" Kahilu Theatre, (808) 885-6868

Jazz in the Forest
5/11
This bi-monthly series highlights local musicians at the Dietrich Varez Hall surrounded by native Hawaiian rainforest. May's concert is themed "Shake, Rattle, and Roll." Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus, (808) 967-8222

Mother's Day Orchid Show & Sale
5/11
Kona Orchid Society's annual sale features a variety of flowers and plants, crafts and gifts. Free. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Old Kona Airport Park Event Pavilion, konaorchidsociety.org

Kilauea Hula Kahiko
5/11
Hula and chant on a sacred site near the Volcano Art Center with Pahoa Middle School. Call ahead to confirm the monthly event. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Volcano Art Center Gallery, (808) 967-7565

Honokaa Western Week
5/18-27
Honokaa residents celebrate the town's ranching and agricultural history with paniolo (cowboy)-themed activities, including a block party and a rodeo during Memorial Day weekend. Honokaa, honokaawesternweek.org 

Kokua Kailua Village Stroll
5/19
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

Robert Cazimero
5/25
Hawaii's beloved kumu hula, singer, songwriter and entertainer, Robert Cazimero, will continue his 38-year tradition of performing live in Waimea with an evening of music, hula and storytelling. Kahilu Theatre, (808) 885-6868

Celebration of Life
5/26
A free community event featuring a lantern floating ceremony to honor lost loved ones, live music, food and drinks. 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Reeds Bay Beach, Hilo, hawaiicarechoices.org