The 5th Annual Experience Volcano Festival is right around the corner and we’re excited to welcome residents and visitors alike to Volcano Village on Hawai’i Island! On July 27th and 28th, we’ll be celebrating the diverse culture, people, and traditions of Volcano with food trucks, restaurant specials, happy hours, Hawaiian art and cultural demonstrations, tours, ohana activities, and much more!

This year, the festivities begin with the O’hia Lehua Half Marathon and 5k. The race starts at 7am on Saturday, July 27th at the Cooper Center and takes participants up Wight Road and through a majestic ohi’a forest, with unforgettable views of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Since its inception, the Ohi’a Lehua race has been a platform for spreading awareness about Rapid Ohi’a Death (ROD), educating the community on how to preserve our precious ‘ohi’a trees. 

Following the race, head to the Kīlauea Lodge for the Opening Oli Hawaiian Chant at 10am, which will undoubtedly inspire you to immerse yourself in the culture of Hawai’i. Then head to Lava Rock Cafe to learn about kalo (taro), the staple crop of Hawaiian agriculture or share the fun of golf with your kids during Volcano Golf Course’s Keiki Hour.

This is just the beginning of all the engaging activities that the Experience Volcano Festival features. The Volcano Arts Center has several rainforest tours planned throughout the weekend. Or take a walk through the Secret Garden at Volcano Garden Arts then grab a bite to eat at the garden’s Cafe Ono and dine in an old Hawaiian Garden Estate.

For those of us who live and work in Volcano, the festival is our chance to share our village’s art, activities, music, nature, and culture with visitors from near and far. Throughout the weekend, opportunities to learn everything from traditional hula and lauhala weaving to ceramic mask making and the basics of ukulele abound. 

And since you’ll likely work up an appetite running, touring, learning, and exploring, you’ll want to fuel up with some savory food and beverages. Feast on ono grinds (delicious eats) at the Kīlauea Lodge or the Lava Rock Cafe while enjoying live music performed by some of our island’s most talented musicians. Or tour the Volcano Winery and sample the spectacular wine of Paradise. Beer more your thing? Check out the Volcano Golf Course’s Beer Garden on Saturday night! 

While Volcano is certainly a gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, there is so much more to the area than Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Get a taste of everything that Volcano has to offer during this vibrant festival. Almost all of the Experience Volcano Festival events will be free to the public, so save the date and join us in Volcano the weekend of July 27th and 28th! Visiting the Big Island or just coming over from Kona? Our charming cottages, Tutu’s Place and the Ola’a House, are conveniently located within minutes of all the festival fun. Book your stay today and get ready to experience the enchanted village of Volcano!