Merrie Monarch Festival 2025 (62nd Annual)

The Merrie Monarch Festival is dedicated to the memory of King David Laamea Kalakaua, known as the "Merrie Monarch" for his flamboyant and fun-loving ways. Kalakaua was elected king of the Hawaiian Nation in 1874, and reigned until his passing in 1891. He was a patron of the arts, especially music and dance.

Every year the Merrie Monarch Festival continues what the king started, by hosting a week-long festival of music, crafts, art, demonstrations and a hula competition. During festival week, the grandeur, pride, and spirit of the Silver Jubilee is alive in Hilo, Hawaii.

Celebrating its 62nd year in 2025, the Merrie Monarch Festival will again present the best hālau hula (hula schools) from Hawaiʻi - and a few from the continental U.S. and internationally - honoring Hawai'i monarch King Kalākaua and his contributions to the revitalization of hula. Held at the Edith Kanaka'ole Multipurpose Stadium in Hilo, the weeklong festival is highlighted by the prestigious, three-night Merrie Monarch hula competition, which is also broadcast live on Hawai'i television and live-streamed globally at MerrieMonarch.com. The festival is set for April 20-26, 2025.

Ticket requests must be mailed in. The Festival committee accepts ticket requests postmarked on December 1, 2024 and later. Requests postmarked prior to December 1, 2024 will NOT be accepted, and will be returned to the sender. *Note: If December 1st falls on a Sunday, then we will begin accepting requests postmarked on December 2nd and later.