The Waimea Paniolo Parade, which honors the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) of this Big Island ranch town, goes through Waimea on a Saturday in mid-September at the end of Paniolo Festival Week. The Parker Ranch rodeo and horse races are on July 4. The Hawaii Performing Arts Festival runs three weeks from late June into July. The Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is at Church Row Park on the first Saturday of February, and the Waimea Fall Festival is on a Saturday in October.
The last event of the year is the Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade, on the first Saturday evening of December, which the Waimea Community Association calls the second-oldest parade in Hawaiʻi. Waimea, also called Kamuela, sits at 2,676 feet, and evening lows run 54 to 61°F, so bring a jacket to the Christmas parade. For events elsewhere on the island, the Big Island events calendar lists the next 30 days and month by month.
Table of contents
Coming up in the next 90 days
Every Waimea event on our list happens once a year. Each one shows here once its organizer confirms a date in the next 90 days.
Fri, Oct 16, 2026 to Wed, Jan 13, 2027
Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade
Dec 5, 2026
An evening parade of lit floats and light-strung trucks through the middle of Waimea, run by the Waimea Community Association; 2026 is its 66th year. In 2024 the route along Kawaihae Road and Māmalahoa Highway was closed to cars from 5:55 to 7:15 p.m., and no traffic could cross town, so park before the closure starts. In recent years the floats have stayed parked at the Waimea District Park afterward for a closer look.
Organizer's website (opens in a new tab)
Dates confirmed by the organizer, checked Oct 13, 2026
Waimea events month by month
Each event appears under the month it falls in, starting with this month. An event without a confirmed date reads “Usually” with its regular timing from past years and switches to a date once the organizer announces it, so check the organizer’s site before you book around one.
October 2026
Waimea Fall Festival
Held Saturday, Oct 10, 2026
A family day at the Waimea District Park run by the community group Waimea Athletics: live entertainment, a food street, craft booths, outdoor rides and an indoor keiki (children's) game zone. You buy a wristband for the outdoor rides and a separate one for the keiki game zone.
Organizer's website (opens in a new tab)
Date confirmed by the organizer, checked Oct 13, 2026
December 2026
Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade
Dec 5, 2026
An evening parade of lit floats and light-strung trucks through the middle of Waimea, run by the Waimea Community Association; 2026 is its 66th year. In 2024 the route along Kawaihae Road and Māmalahoa Highway was closed to cars from 5:55 to 7:15 p.m., and no traffic could cross town, so park before the closure starts. In recent years the floats have stayed parked at the Waimea District Park afterward for a closer look.
Organizer's website (opens in a new tab)
Dates confirmed by the organizer, checked Oct 13, 2026
February 2027
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival
Feb 6, 2027
A day of cultural events around Waimea for the bloom of the cherry trees at Church Row Park, in the Japanese hanami (blossom-viewing) tradition. Hawaiʻi County sponsors it and community groups put it on.
Organizer's website (opens in a new tab)
Dates confirmed by the organizer, checked Oct 13, 2026
June 2027
Hawaii Performing Arts Festival
Jun 20–Jul 12, 2027
Three weeks of classical music, opera and musical theater in Waimea every summer, sung and played by visiting musicians and the students in the festival's training program. Most performances are at Kahilu Theatre and Davies Chapel at Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy; most are ticketed, and some are free or pay what you can.
Organizer's website (opens in a new tab)
Dates confirmed by the organizer, checked Oct 13, 2026
July 2027
Hawaii Performing Arts Festival
Jun 20–Jul 12, 2027Continues from Jun 20
Three weeks of classical music, opera and musical theater in Waimea every summer, sung and played by visiting musicians and the students in the festival's training program. Most performances are at Kahilu Theatre and Davies Chapel at Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy; most are ticketed, and some are free or pay what you can.
Organizer's website (opens in a new tab)
Dates confirmed by the organizer, checked Oct 13, 2026
Parker Ranch July 4th Rodeo
Jul 4, 2027
Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) events and horse races at the Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena in Waimea, with food and craft vendors. In 2026 gates opened at 7:30 a.m., tickets were $25 online or $30 at the gate, and keiki (children) 12 and under got in free.
Organizer's website (opens in a new tab) Our guide
Dates confirmed by the organizer, checked Oct 14, 2026
September 2027
Waimea Paniolo Parade & Hoʻolauleʻa
Usually a Saturday in mid-September, at the end of Paniolo Festival Week
Pāʻū (skirt) riders on horseback, the festival's royal court, schools and floral floats parade through Waimea for the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys), followed by Hawaiian music, food, crafts and keiki (children's) activities at the Waimea District Park. It closes the Aloha Festivals Paniolo Festival Week; in 2026 the festival sold a $10 medallion for entry to its events.
October 2027
Waimea Fall Festival
Usually a Saturday in October
A family day at the Waimea District Park run by the community group Waimea Athletics: live entertainment, a food street, craft booths, outdoor rides and an indoor keiki (children's) game zone. You buy a wristband for the outdoor rides and a separate one for the keiki game zone.