Hawaii Island is widely known as the Big Island and it's, therefore, no surprise that the island seems to have more Christmas and holiday events that any of the other Hawaiian Islands. Some of the biggest events take place on Thanksgiving weekend and continue at a brisk pace throughout the month.
Here are a some of the most popular events that will take place in 2012.
If you know of other events to add to this list, please email me and I'll add them.
November 23 - Amahl and the Night Visitors - The Hawaii Performing Arts Festival presents Gian Carlo Menotti's holiday classic at 7:00 p.m. at the Historic Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, just south of Kona. Tickets are $15 for children 12 and under, $30 for general admission, if purchased in advance, $35 for general admission, if purchased at the door, and $50 for premium reserved seating, available in advance. No premium seating tickets will be available at the door. For more information call 808-303-7378 or visit their website.
November 24 - Amahl and the Night Visitors - The Hawaii Performing Arts Festival presents Gian Carlo Menotti's holiday classic at 7:00 p.m. at the Gates Center for the Performing Arts on the Campus of the Hawai'i Preparatory Academy in Waimea. See the prior entry for ticketing information.
November 23 & 24 - Christmas Treasures Art, Gift, Collectibles & Craft Fair - This annual holiday event, now in its 30th year, will take place Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the hotel ballroom and parking lot tent area of the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona. Vendors from all over the state will offer their top goods to make a perfect Christmas present. There will be a silent auction and prize drawings. Admission is free.
November 23-25 - Art Studio Tour & Sale - The Volcano Village Artists Hui will present their 27th annual Art Studio Tour & Sale over Thanksgiving weekend. The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Volcano Village off of Highway 11. Visitors can meet the artists and to view their finely crafted artwork as well as moderately priced items, all of which would make great holiday gifts. For more information, visit www.volcanovillageartistshui.com.
November 24 - DMAC Holiday Affair - The Donkey Mill Art Center at at 78-6670 Mamalahoa Highway in Holualoa will host their first ever Holiday Affair from noon to 5:00 p.m. The event will feature artist demonstrations, family art activities, locally grown tea and baked treats, and handmade, original artwork that will make great gifts for family and friends. There will be live "tea time" music featuring Motter Snell and Andrea Lindborg from 3-4:00 p.m. For more information call 808-322-3362 or visit donkeymillartcenter.org.
November 24 & 25 - Na Lima Hana Holiday Craft Fair - More than 100 local vendors will be selling their goods from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m on Saturday and Sunday at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Convention Center. In addition to the finest in local artwork and crafts including Hawaiian quilts and wood carvings as well as holiday ornaments and jewelry, the festival will include Big Island agricultural products including Kona coffee and macadamia nuts, food for purchase and a silent auction. There will be special activities for the children. Proceeds from the 18th Annual Na Lima Hana Craft & Collectibles Fair will benefit charities throughout Hawaii Island.
November 25 - Handel's Messiah - The Kailua Kona Music Society, under the direction of conductor Susan McCreary Duprey, presents their annual Handel's Messiah Concert and audience "sing along" at 4:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students. For tickets call 808-334 9880 or visit konamusicsociety.org.
November 30 - 3rd Annual Waimea Christmas Tree Lighting - The Christmas season gets an early start in Waimea in order to formally kick of the 2012 Big Island Giving Tree Project – a gathering of donations so that everyone in the community is remembered during this holiday season. At 6:00 p.m. entertainment will include caroling. Donations will be collected. Food and warm beverages will be available. Stories of Waimea Past will be told and it all will culminate with the lighting of the giant Norfolk tree fronting historic Barbara Hall at Parker School. Those attending should bring their own chairs. For more information visit waimeatown.org
November 30 - December 1 - - Na Makua Invitational Christmas Gift Fair - Nelson and Kainoa Makua host their annual Christmas Gift Fair at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo. The Fair will run from 4-9:00 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and admission is free. They have gathered together some of Hawaii's best artists and producers with their collections of fine handmade crafts and gifts. They will also have food for sale, live entertainment and door prize drawings. All of the vendors are "screened with special consideration given to the uniqueness, quality and craftsmanship of the craft" and they look specifically for products that will make good Christmas gifts. For more information visit namakua.com or email puna@namakua.com.
December 1 - Christmas at Hulihe'e Palace - Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii and the Daughters of Hawai'i host their third annual Christmas at Hulihe’e Palace in Kailua-Kona beginning at 5:30 p.m. and running until 10:00 p.m. There will be a royal holiday dinner in honor of Queen Emma, a live and silent auction, and holiday performances by Kealakehe Intermediate School Chorus & Ukulele Ensemble, and the Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, Ho'okena. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased on their website or by calling 808-756-8928.
December - 1 - Hilo High School PTSA Christmas Craft Fair - The Hilo High School Parent Teacher Student Association will host their annual Christmas Craft Fair in the high school's cafeteria at 556 Waianuenue Avenue in Hilo from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information visit hilohighptsa.org.
December 1 - Holualoa Music & Light Festival - Holualoa Village will hold their 16th annual Music & Light Festival on Saturday, December 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. From the Holualoa Ukulele Gallery to the Kona Hotel there will be numerous music stages celebrating the lighting of the town's Christmas tree. For more information call the Holualoa Village Association at 808-322-8484, or visit holualoahawaii.com./p>
December 1 - Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade and All-Day Celebration - For the 52nd year, the town of Waimea will hold its annual Christmas Twilight Parade at 5:30 p.m. There will be craft shows and entertainment throughout the town on the day of the parade, so visitors can arrive early and spend the afternoon in the Big Island's original cowboy town. Free entertainment during the day will feature ‘Aoi’a, Beamer-Solomon Halau o Po’ohala, Kevin Haleamau & Friends, Gary Washburn’s Honoka’a Jazz Band, KAPA deejay Darde Gamayo, and Darlene Ahuna and Duane Yamada with emcee Penny Keli’i Vredenburg. For more information, visit waimeatown.org.
December 1 - Hawai'i-Made Crafty Hands & Gifts, Too! - As part of Waimea's huge celebration, this Christmas fair will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Thelma Parker Gym. The fair will feature locally made items by dozens of island artisans. Admission is free. There will be plenty of Christmas music. Plate lunches and other food will be available, plus there will be lots of door prizes throughout the day. Food donations for the Annunciation Pantry are encouraged. For more information, visit waimeatown.org.
December 1 & 2 - Paradise Studio Tour - The Paradise Studio Tour Artist Collective will celebrate their 6th year of the Paradise Studio Tour on the first weekend in December from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day featuring 45 artists in 13 studios in Puna's Hawaiian Paradise Park. This is a great opportunity to find that perfect holiday gift including many unique types of art including locally made and braided bracelets, lava pots, native plant dyed fabrics, recycled art, woods and furniture, hand blown glass, jewelry, fashion and clothing, quilting, doll art and more. For more information and directions visit paradisestudiotour.com.
