What to Do on the Big Island July 2026

Posted on by Judy
dirt road with Mauna Kea in background

Farmers Markets

  • Waimea Town Market — Saturdays, 7:30am–noon, Parker School
  • Kamuela Farmers Market — Saturdays, 7:30am–1pm, Pukalani Stables (free Paniolo Heritage Museum entry)
  • Kuhio Hale Farmers Market — Saturdays, 7:30am–12:30pm
  • Pukalani Midweek Market — Wednesdays, 8:30am–1:30pm, Pukalani Stables
  • Hilo Farmers Market — Wed & Sat, 6am–4pm, downtown Hilo
  • Keauhou Shopping Center Hawaiian music & hula — Fridays, 6–7pm
  • Hamakua Harvest, Honokaa, Sundays

Special Events

  • Obon season — bon dances at Buddhist temples island-wide, weekends throughout July (check individual temple schedules)
  • Waikoloa Community Market — first Saturday of the month, 9am–1pm, Waikoloa Stables
  • Volcano’s ‘Ohi’a Lehua Run — TBA date, Volcano Village (5K/half marathon through ‘ohi’a forest)
  • Kailua Village Sunday Stroll — one Sunday/month, 1–6pm, Ali’i Drive pedestrian marketplace (check date)
  • Kahilu Theatre (Waimea) — July shows:
    • A.E. Reverie & Rise — July 3
    • CAROUSEL — July 11
    • The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — July 18
  • Canoe paddling regattas — The Moku O Hawai’i Outrigger Canoe Racing Association season is in full swing. The 7th regatta of the season is Saturday, July 11, in Hilo (Akiona Course), hosted by Paddlers of Laka. The season runs 8 regattas total before the State Championship the first weekend of August — expect one more Big Island regatta later in July, though the host and date aren’t published yet. Worth checking mokuohawaii.com closer to the date.
  • Hilo Orchid Show — July 24–26, Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium, Hilo. One of the largest orchid shows in the state, with growers from across the islands selling plants alongside the display exhibits.
  • Stargazing & Maunakea
    • ‘Ohana Stargazing Event at Moʻokini Heiau — Saturday, July 11, 5:30–9:30pm. 4th year of this event, hosted by ‘Ohana Kilo Hōkū with cultural practitioners — stargazing, storytelling, guided heiau tours, and telescope viewing after sunset.
    • Kamaʻāina Observatory Experience (KOE) — free guided tour to the Mauna Kea summit telescopes, normally the first Saturday of the month. The July 11 date is already fully booked, but it’s open to Hawaiʻi residents only anyway (kamaʻāina with valid state ID).
  • Waimea Nature Park (Ulu La’au) Volunteer Day — held every other Saturday, 9am–noon. Drop-in style: planting, weeding, greenhouse work, trail maintenance. No exact July date posted online — check the bulletin board at the park entrance or the Waimea Outdoor Circle’s Facebook page to confirm which Saturdays fall in the July rotation.

Ranch History & Heritage Sites

Parker Ranch self-guided historic home tours — Puuopelu and Mana Hale, the two historic Parker family homes on the ranch grounds, are open for self-guided tours. Pick up a pamphlet at the visitor center.

Anna Ranch Heritage Center — a preserved paniolo estate on Kawaihae Road offering guided tours of ranch life across the 20th century, telling the story of Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske, one of Hawaii’s most celebrated ranching figures.

Paniolo Heritage Center at Pukalani Stables — the beautifully refurbished open-air courtyard and interpretive exhibits at Pukalani Stables offer an immersive look at Hawaiian cowboy culture and the legacy of Parker Ranch. Check out the saddles! Many paniolo still use the same style!

And if you’re hungry, Merriman’s on Opelo Road is one of the founding restaurants of Hawai’i Regional Cuisine — chef Peter Merriman has been showcasing Big Island agricultural ingredients since 1988, and the grass-fed Parker Ranch beef preparation is a great way to round out the day. Dom De Luca’s also employs local ingredients in its delicious Italian cuisine.

While you’re here

If you’re exploring the idea of living on the Big Island, here are a few posts worth reading:

Featured image courtesy of Sarah Anderson Photography. Judy S. Howard, Esq. is a Realtor Broker with COMPASS in Waimea and an attorney with over 40 years in practice.