Happy New Year, Big Island! Welcome to 2026.

The most wonderful time of year has now come and gone, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do around the island. There just isn’t as much hustle and bustle as there was in December.

So take some time to relax and enjoy yourself instead of running around on all those busy sidewalks.

Check out First Friday — Live in the Lobby at the Palace Theater in Hilo, featuring live music from the Sazerac Bros. The Palace Cafe also will be open, offering food and drink options for sale. Plus, blow off some steam on the dance floor.

Or start the New Year with intention, inspiration and community while you envision the possibilities this year can bring. Head to Anawa Center for Peace in Hawaiian Paradise Park for group meditation, a divination art project and more, or take a labyrinth walk to calm your soul.

And if you’re still in the partying mood after the New Year’s Eve celebration, head over to Kukuau Studio in Hilo for a mix of funk, rock, pop and afrofuturism plus a 6-piece “party-all-night” band with an infectious groove.

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Check out our top 10 things to do for Jan. 2-8 below.

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No. 1 — “Tides: Gender Beyond the Binary in Oceania” (Hilo, through Feb. 27)

When: Regular hours

Location: East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, 141 Kalākaua St.

This exhibition — featuring works from FAFASWAG Collective, Connie Florez, Adriana Māhanga Lear, Dan Taulapapa McMullin and Peter Waples-Crowe — delves into the fluid and evolving concept of the non-binary gender in Oceania, a historically recognized identity in many Pacific cultures. It showcases painting, photography, film, multimedia and performance by four artists and the FAFSWAG collective.

More info: Visit the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center website.

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Portion of image courtesy of Palace Theater website

No. 2 — First Friday – Live in the Lobby (Hilo, Jan. 2)

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When: 6 to 8 p.m.; doors open at 5:45 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Enjoy First Friday in downtown Hilo in the historic lobby of the Palace Theater, featuring live music from the Sazerac Bros. Palace Cafe and Bar will be open, offering food and drink options available for purchase. Dancing welcome. Table seating is first come, first serve. No tickets required.

More info: Visit the Palace Theater website.

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No. 3 — Mano Live (Hilo, Jan. 2)

When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

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Location: Kava Republic, 301 Keawe St.

So excited to have Mano back at Kava Republic for another awesome night of live music!
Come check it out Friday, December 2, from 6:30PM to 9:30PM. Kava Republic is here for the little highs of everyday life — the calm before your day starts, the spark of a good conversation, the laughter that carries late into the night. The downtown Hilo bar and cafe is excited to welcome Mano back for another awesome night of live music. So stop in to enjoy the music or just share a shell.

More info: Call Kava Republic at 808-751-2795

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No. 4 — New Year Visioning Experience (Hawaiian Paradise Park, Jan. 3)

When: 8 to 11 a.m.

Location: Anawa Center for Peace, ‘Awapuhi Labyrinth, 15-1601 4th Ave.

Begin 2026 with intention, inspiration and community while you envision what the next year can bring. Come ring in the New Year with group meditation, a divination art project, a vision board activity, Tarot Card readings and a labyrinth walk. Suggested donation of $20.

More info: Visit the Anawa Center for Peace website or call Keli at 704-301=7011.

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No. 5 — Garden Temple Ecstatic Dance (Pāhoa, Jan. 3)

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Kaimu Ahupua‘a

Come show off your ecstatic dance skills during this event that encourages this free-form, unstructured dance practice where participants move spontaneously to music, focusing on inner feeling rather than steps. It often leads to meditative, cathartic or ecstatic states. Sakred was added to the team to provide keiki care and activities. Drop into the vulnerability of the dance and connect with community. Volunteers, keiki younger than 10 years old and kūpuna are admitted free; otherwise, a $10 to $20 donation is requested.

More info (including location): Text or call 808-987-4243.

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No. 6‘ — ʻŌlaʻa Mill Market (Kea‘au, Jan. 3)

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: 16-675 Milo St. (Near ʻŌlaʻa Coffee Company)

Come peruse the 23 local vendors who will be available, showcasing their talents and gifts, including crafts and apparel. There also will be ono food, delicious baked goods and sweet treats, refreshing drinks and a keiki activity area. Raffles every 30 minutes with two winners each time. Prizes provided by the vendors. Bring the entire ‘ohana; there’s something for everyone.

More info: Follow @theolaamillmarket on Instagram.

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No. 7 — P-Funk All-Star Ronkat Spearman Katdelic Icons of Funk (Hilo, Jan. 3)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m.

Location: Kukuau Studio, 43-D Kukuau St.

Mosh Play Live is excited to team up with Kristin McMaster to present this funk-a-licious evening. Come join the fun and help pack the house! Don’t miss this mix of funk, rock, pop and afrofuturism and a 6-piece “party-all-night” band with an infectious groove. Tickets are only $20, available at the door.

More info: Call Kukuau Studio at 808-464-3388 or email to kukuaustudio@gmail.com.

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Photo Courtesy: Carlin Ma Photography

No. 8 — Hawaiʻi International Music Festival (Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Ocean View, Pāhala; Jan. 4-12)

When: Various times

Location: Various locations

This popular classic music festival founded in 2016 returns for its ninth season, with concerts and educational events around Hawaiʻi Island. Garcia School Vocal Workshop also returns for its fourth installment in Pāhala. The festival’s partnership with Chamber Orchestra of Kona also continues, including an orchestral concert and public operatic reading session.

More info/full schedule/tickets: Visit the Hawaiʻi International Music Festival website.

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No. 9 — “Cold Start Warm Finish” Family Fun Run (Kailua-Kona, Jan. 10; registration open now)

When: 7 to 10 a.m.

Location: Hawai‘i Ocean Science and Technology, 73-4660 Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway

Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority and partner Aloha Tri Sports host 5K and 10K courses open to runners and walkers of all ages. Participants get a “cold start” passing through a cooling mist created from Hawai‘i Ocean Science and Technology Park’s deep seawater pipelines while running along the Kona coast scenic trail. It ends at a health and wellness market with local vendors, food, activities and exhibits.

More info/registration: Visit the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority website.

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Portion of image courtesy of Kahilu Theatre website

No. 10 — “Keeper of the Bay” Screening (Waimea, Jan. 11; tickets on sale now)

When: 2 p.m. Jan. 11; 12:30 p.m. VIP pre-show reception

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

‘Keeper of the Bay’ is an Emmy-nominated documentary by Ashley LoFaso that traces the work of treasued kupuna Aunty Cindi Punihaole. Her stewardship and education efforts at Khalu’u Bay in West Hawai’i have preserved one of the Big Island’s most vibrant marine sanctuaries and inspired a community movement to protect it for future generations. VIP guests will meet Punihaole and The Kohala Center ʻohana while enjoying pupus. Guests can also talk story with the organization’s forest restoration crew, explore native plants and weave fish with materials from land center stewards.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website or The Kohala Center website.

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Photo Compilation: Big Island Now

Check for yourself what’s happening around the Big Island

We admit. As hard as we try every week, we still likely didn’t find every event happening around the Big Island. Plus, we can’t fit everything going on each week in our entertainment roundup. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.