merrie monarch 2025

The Merrie Monarch Festival 2025 is the 62nd annual celebration held in Hilo, Hawaii, running from April 20 to April 26, 2025. It is the largest and most prestigious hula festival in the world, honoring King David Kalākaua, known as the "Merrie Monarch," who revived many Hawaiian cultural traditions, especially hula. The festival features a week-long schedule of cultural demonstrations, hula competitions (both ancient hula kahiko and modern hula ʻauana), craft fairs, and a grand royal parade. It begins on Easter Sunday and culminates with competitive hula events and awards at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium. The festival not only celebrates hula as a sacred art but also serves as a symbol of Hawaiian culture and pride, drawing international participants and audiences.