Attending art exhibits, local festivals, live music shows, or any other special events in Maui offers an introspective look at for island life. Throughout the year each Hawaiian island hosts hundreds of island events open to both locals and visitors. Maui offers much more than just laid-back days relaxing at the beaches. An exceptional selection of Maui events provides everyone a chance to pursue various interests and enjoy socializing. Longtime visitors often plan their vacations around one of the best festivals in Maui so as not to miss the outstanding festivities.

With the ocean being such an elemental part of life, there are several events in Maui focused on the sea. Surfing, windsurfing, and diving draw thousands worldwide to exciting competitions happening in Maui's warm, clear waters. Originally called the Sport of Kings, surfing is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. It's not unusual to see numerous surf competitions kick off on the west and north sides of the island between November and March, when the swells reach 25 feet and higher. The Billabong Pro Maui Surf Contest is the most popular surf event in Maui, happening annually in December. This time brings a burst of energy rushing through the towns of Kapalua, Lahaina, and Kaanapali. The pros leave in the spring, creating a great opportunity for everyone else to catch some waves along the North Shore.

The Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration is hosted in Lahaina every year. There are Maui festivals celebrating this holiday all over the island. Scores of holidays discounts apply on this day, especially when it comes to dining in the city and shopping along Front Street. Free concerts and fireworks mark the festivities. Another of the great Maui festivals to attend in March is the three-day Ocean Arts Festival, marking the Pacific humpback whale's annual migration. Educational presentations, marine-based art work, hula dancers, Hawaiian musicians, and the touch pool at the Maui Ocean Center are all highlights. Other fun Maui events in Lahaina include Art Night each Friday, an ongoing weekend Heui Arts and Crafts Festival, and the celebrated Holiday Lighting of the Banyan Tree around Christmas.

Maui Map

The Aloha Festival is the biggest and best of all Maui festivals. This takes top spot on the Maui events calendar and is a highly anticipated island event. This is the island's foremost cultural exhibition, celebrating history, dance, and music meant to safeguard many special island traditions. The Aloha Festival is well-known for providing the best shopping opportunities of the year. Vendors showcase exceptional carvings, paintings, photographs, and other wares ideal for souvenirs. The festival is also an ideal place to sample some of the best local fare around.

For visitors interested in cultural celebrations, there are many hula competitions and exhibitions throughout the year offering the opportunity to see ancient hula, as well as the contemporary style, danced by islanders of all ages. One of the best known is the Annual Festival of Hula held each January in Lahaina. March brings more island celebrations with the Queen Kaahumanu Festival and the Ocean Arts Festival in Banyan Tree Park. In May, the Annual Lei Festival and Competition draws thousands of people to Wailea, while the Classic Windsurfing Event at Kanaha Beach Park is another crowd magnet.

In June, July, and August there are many more Maui events to attend. One of the most popular festivals, The Maui Onion Festival, is in August each year while the Kapalua Wine & Food Symposium and the Taste of South Maui offer food-lovers a couple of great events to attend. There is no shortage of events in Maui, and each month brings another exciting celebration. During the busy months around Christmas, there are endless Christmas festivals in Maui, holiday shows, special Maui dinner cruises, and much more to help celebrate the holidays in true island style. At almost any time of year, the Maui events calender offers something to celebrate, from arts to nature to culture and much more.