Ten must-see Hawaiʻi Island events and activities Jan. 23-29

ManaFest returns to Puna, bringing local vendors and live performances that inject weekend foot traffic and sales into neighborhoods still rebuilding from recent eruptions. That boost in on-the-ground commerce joins a broader slate of cultural and educational programming across Hilo and Kona for Jan. 23-29, with implications for small-business revenue, cultural tourism and community resilience.

Volcano Awareness Month programming features public talks and educational events focused on Kīlauea lava fountains. Those sessions aim to sharpen residents’ understanding of volcanic behavior and preparedness practices at a time when accurate hazard information directly affects property decisions, insurance assessments and emergency-response planning. Public outreach about Kīlauea helps reduce misinformation and can lower the economic cost of reactive evacuations by improving household readiness.

Music and benefit events dominate the week’s headline draws. The 4th Annual Back Home Sessions benefit concert took place in Kona on Jan. 24, spotlighting local artists while raising funds for community causes. Live music continued across the island with touring acts and local bands; Alaska’s Blackwater Railroad performed in Hilo-area venues, and Justin Morris & Company stopped on the Pacific Bridge 2026 Coast-to-Coast-to-Coast Tour, bringing outside audiences that support restaurants, hotels and rental services. These shows add discretionary spending in the typically quieter winter months and sustain the island’s creative economy.

Community arts nights, dances and open-mic evenings offer low-cost platforms for Hawaiʻi Island performers and makers to reach neighbors and visitors. Family-friendly activities and guided walks provide accessible recreation and interpretive experiences that reinforce outdoor stewardship and local knowledge of ʻāina and geology. Together, these events diversify the local event calendar beyond major tourist attractions and help circulate visitor dollars more widely through small vendor networks in Puna, Hilo and Kona.

Practical details vary by event; venues and start times differ across the Jan. 23-29 window. Tickets and event pages list entry fees, vendor participation and accessibility information. Plan for increased parking demand near performance venues and community centers, and check organizer sites for last-minute changes due to weather or safety considerations tied to volcanic activity.

For Big Island County residents, this week’s mix of festivals, concerts and educational programming is both cultural lifeblood and economic support. Events like ManaFest and the Back Home Sessions put money directly into local pockets, while Volcano Awareness Month talks provide public goods that can lower longer-term emergency costs. Monitor official event postings for updates, and consider supporting local vendors and performers to keep dollars circulating in island communities.