Merrie Monarch Festival 2024

The Merrie Monarch Festival is dedicated to the memory of King David Laamea Kalākaua, known as the "Merrie Monarch" for his flamboyant and fun-loving ways.

Every year the Merrie Monarch Festival continues what the king started, by hosting a week-long festival of music, crafts, art, demonstrations and a hula competition at the Edith Kanaka'ole Multipurpose Stadium in Hilo. Celebrating its 61st year in 2024, the Merrie Monarch Festival will again present the best hālau hula (hula schools) from Hawaiʻi - and a few from the continental U.S. and internationally - honoring Hawai'i monarch King Kalākaua and his contributions to the revitalisation of hula.

Hoʻolauleʻa (celebration)

9:00 a.m., Sunday, March 31st at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Free admission to watch performances by our local hālau.

Free Mid-day Entertainment

Daily (Monday through Friday)
Entertainment at the Grand Naniloa Hotel (12 p.m.),
and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (1 p.m.).

Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 3rd through Friday, April 5th
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 6th at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
An annual favorite, this free event features local artists, crafters, and entertainment.

Hōʻike Performances

6:00 pm, Wednesday, April 3rd at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
An exhibition night of hula and folk dance from around the Pacific.
The performances are free to the public, no tickets required.

Miss Aloha Hula

6:00 pm, Thursday, April 4th at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Individual competition for the title of Miss Aloha Hula with contestants performing hula kahiko, hula ʻauana and oli (chant).

Group Hula Kahiko

6:00 pm, Friday, April 5th at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Hālau hula perform ancient style dances.

Group Hula ʻAuana & Awards

6:00 pm, Saturday, April 6th at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Hālau hula perform modern style dances, followed by an awards presentation for all group winners.

Merrie Monarch Royal Parade

10:30 am, Saturday, April 6th through downtown Hilo
One of the festival’s most entertaining and fun events for the entire family, the parade begins and ends at Pauahi St. (Kilauea Ave. — Keawe St. — Waiānuenue Ave. — Kamehameha Ave.).

2024 Festival & Parade Traffic Pattern Info