What's on in Hilo (Big Island), United States through the year

Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Winter swell (15 Oct – 31 Mar), Humpback whale season (15 Nov – 15 May)

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Winter swell (15 Oct – 31 Mar), Humpback whale season (15 Nov – 15 May)

Busy — Spring break in United States

• Festival

  Merrie Monarch Festival

  5–11 AprMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  The week after Easter, the world's most serious hula competition fills Hilo along with a craft fair and a parade down Kilauea Avenue. Competition tickets go by mail lottery months ahead and every room in town is taken. Source ↗

Still on: Winter swell (15 Oct – 31 Mar), Humpback whale season (15 Nov – 15 May)

Busy — Merrie Monarch Festival

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Merrie Monarch Festival (5–11 Apr), Humpback whale season (15 Nov – 15 May)

Busy — one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: Humpback whale season (15 Nov – 15 May)

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Mango and tropical fruit harvest

  1 Jun – 30 Sep · usually

  Mango, lychee, rambutan and mountain apple come in through the summer and the Hilo farmers market on Wednesday and Saturday is where they land. Most of it never leaves the island.

• Hazard

  Central Pacific hurricane season

  1 Jun – 30 Nov

  The season runs June to November and most systems weaken or pass south of the islands, but Hilo is the town on the windward side and takes the rain when one does track close. Direct hits are rare and consequential. Source ↗

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Mango and tropical fruit harvest (1 Jun – 30 Sep (usually)), Central Pacific hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Mango and tropical fruit harvest (1 Jun – 30 Sep (usually)), Central Pacific hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Busy — Summer break in United States

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Mango and tropical fruit harvest (1 Jun – 30 Sep (usually)), Central Pacific hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Season

  Winter swell

  15 Oct – 31 MarSurf seasonRisk

  North Pacific swells reach the windward coast through the winter and Honoli'i, just north of town, is where the island's surfers go. The same swell makes the rocky shoreline and the river mouths dangerous to swim.

Still on: Central Pacific hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Busy — Thanksgiving break in United States

• Nature

  Humpback whale season

  15 Nov – 15 May

  Humpbacks come down from Alaska to breed in Hawaiian water between about November and May, peaking from January to March. Hilo Bay gets fewer than the leeward side, but they can be watched from the shore.

Still on: Central Pacific hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov), Winter swell (15 Oct – 31 Mar)

Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Winter swell (15 Oct – 31 Mar), Humpback whale season (15 Nov – 15 May)