Merrie Monarch is an annual hula competition held in Hilo, Hawaii, that celebrates the culture and traditions of the Hawaiian people. The festival was founded in 1971 by George Naope, a renowned hula dancer and master chanter, to perpetuate the art form of hula and to honor the legacy of King David Kalkaua, who was known as the “Merrie Monarch.” The 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival will be held from April 13th to April 19th.
Tickets for the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival go on sale in October 2024. Prices range from $20 for individual event tickets to $300 for a festival pass. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone. The festival pass provides access to all events, including the hula competition, the craft fair, and the cultural demonstrations.
