Maui Events

Please note that, as with any schedule of upcoming events, the following information is subject to change; always confirm the details before you plan your trip around an event.

If you don't find any Maui events that are of any particular interest, and you have sufficient time to sort through all of the events, check out the Calendar of Hawaii Festivals and Events.

January Maui Events

Mercedes Championship. Held in Maui at Kapalua's Plantation Golf Course near the beginning of January. This event kicks off the PGA Tour.

Wendys Skin Game. Longtime golfing greats participate in this four-man tournament for $600,000 in prize money. Location: Gold Course, Wailea Golf Courses. Played during Super Bowl weekend.

An annual all-star football classic featuring America's top college players played at War Memorial Stadium.

February Maui Events

Chinese New Year. The town of Lahaina rolls out the red carpet for this important event with a traditional lion dance at the historic Wo Hing Temple on Front Street, accompanied by fireworks, food booths, and a host of activities. For more information, call (888) 310-1117 or (808) 667-9175. Also on Market Street in Wailuku call (808) 270-7414.

Whalefest Week. This event celebrates Maui's best-known winter visitors, the humpback whales in February or March. Activities include seminars, art exhibits, sailing, snorkeling and diving tours, and numerous events for children. Call (808) 667-9175 or (808) 879-8860.

March Maui Events

East Maui Taro Festival. Taro, a Hawaiian staple food, is celebrated through the festivities include hula dancing, outrigger canoe races and traditional Hawaiian food. Held last weekend in March in Hana.

Run to the Sun. The world's top ultra-marathoners make the journey from sea level to the top of 10,000-foot Haleakala. Call (808) 573-7584 or (808) 741-2726.

April Maui Events

Buddha Day. Each year, on the First Saturday in April, the Lahaina Jodo Mission holds a flower festival pageant honoring the birth of Buddha. Call (808) 661-4303 for more details.

Annual Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Celebration of the Arts. Contemporary and traditional artists give free hands-on lessons. Call (808) 669-6200. The four-day festival begins the Thursday before Easter.

The Ulupalakua Thing. Held on a Saturday in late April at Maui's Tedeschi Vineyards, this fair-like trade show offers the chance to sample food prepared by some of Maui's top chefs, and includes live entertainment. Call (808) 878-1266.

David Malo Day. This day-long event at Lahainaluna High School in Lahaina features hula and other Hawaiian cultural celebrations. David Malo Day commemorates Hawaii's famous scholar and ends with a luau. Mid-April. Call (808) 662-4000.

May Maui Events

Da Kine Classic. Held at Maui's Hookipa Beach in early May, this is one of the world's top international windsurfing competitions. Call (808) 877-2111.

Maui Film Festival. Five days and nights of screenings of premieres and special films, along with traditional Hawaiian storytelling, chants, hula, and contemporary music. Location: Wailea Resort. Call (808) 579-9996. Mid-June.

Hawaiian Slack-Key Guitar Festival. You will find at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Kahului, great music performed by the best musicians in Hawaii. It's five hours long and absolutely free. Call (808) 239-4336.

July Maui Events

Makawao Parade and Rodeo. The annual parade and rodeo event has been taking place in Makawao for generations. Call (800) 525-MAUI or 808/244-3530. July 4th.

Kapalua Wine and Food Festival. Famous wine and food experts gather at the Ritz-Carlton and Kapalua Bay hotels for formal tastings, panel discussions, and samplings of new releases. Call 1-800-KAPALUA.

Quick-Silver Cup Windsurfing Championship. Late July or early August. Competition held at Kanaha Beach in Kahului.

August Maui Events

Ole Longboard Classic. This is Maui's top longboard surfing event, and takes place in mid-August at Launiopoko Beach Park.

Maui Onion Festival. Celebrate the island's most famous commercial herb at Whalers Village in Kaanapali. Enjoy a variety of music, chef's demonstrations, and cooking-related events.

September Maui Events

A Taste of Lahaina. Some 30,000 people show up at the Lahaina Civic Center to sample 40 signature entrees of Maui's premier chefs during this weekend festival, which includes cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and live entertainment. The event begins Friday night with Maui Chefs Present, a dinner/cocktail party featuring about a dozen of Maui's best chefs. Call (888) 310-1117. Second weekend in September.

Haleakala Run to the Sun. Maui's 36.2-mile ultramarathon begins at dawn at sea-level Paia, and climbs 10,000 feet to the top of Haleakala. It's usually held in late September or early October.

Maui Marathon. Runners line up at the Maui Mall in Kahului before daybreak and head off for Kaanapali. Call (808) 871-6441. Sunday in mid-September.

LifeFest Maui. A health-and-wellness three-day event, held in Kapalua, featuring lectures and panel presentations by leaders in the health-and-wellness field. Also find ocean sporting events, fitness activities, a health-and-wellness expo and culinary gala dinners. Call (808) 875-8411.

October Maui Events

Maui County Fair. The War Memorial Complex in Wailuku hosts the oldest county fair in Hawaii. The Maui County Fair features a parade, amusement rides, live entertainment, and exhibits. Call (800) 525-MAUI or (808) 244-3530. First weekend in October.

Xterra World Championship. This off-road triathlon includes a 30 km bike ride up the slopes of Haleakala, an 11 km trail run and a 1.5 km ocean swim. It's held in mid-to late October on Maui.

Aloha Classic World Windsurfing Championship. The final event of the Pro Boardsailing Association's world tour features many of the top international competitors. The contest takes place in late October and early November at Maui's Hookipa Beach. Call (808) 575-9151.

Halloween in Lahaina. Come to this giant costume party (some 20,000 people show up) on the streets of Lahaina, Maui; Front Street is closed off for the festivities. Call (808) 667-9175. October 31.

November Maui Events

Hula o Na Keiki. Hawaii's only children's hula contest. Two days of competition.

December Maui Events

Festival of Lights, all islands. On Maui, marching bands, floats, and Santa roll down Lahaina's Front Street in an annual parade. Call (808) 667-9175 on Maui. Early December.

Old-Fashioned Holiday Celebration. This day of Christmas carolers, Santa Claus, live music and entertainment, a crafts fair, Christmas baked goods, and activities for children takes place in the Banyan Tree Park on Front Street, Lahaina, Maui. Call (888) 310-1117. Second Saturday in December.

First Night. Hawaii's largest festival of arts and entertainment takes place at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center and in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. For 12 hours, musicians, dancers, actors, jugglers, magicians, and mimes perform. Afterwards, fireworks bring in the new year. Alcohol-free. Call (808) 326-7820 on the Big Island, or (808) 242-7469 on Maui. December 31.

Maui Film Festival. Major films are screened at this festival (the 2004 festival included The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Whale Rider, Mystic River, Cold Mountain, and Seabiscuit, among others). Not to be missed. Late December to early January.