Things to Do on Maui in Summer (June-July-August)
Everyone loves summer vacation on Maui! June, July, and August are very popular months for a visit to Maui–particularly for families, as most children have school break during this time. There are loads of things to do on Maui in summer, including some of the island’s most popular annual events and festivals. If you are planning a summer visit, here are a few of the many Maui events you can enjoy.
Updated March 17th, 2023
THINGS TO DO ON MAUI IN SUMMER
MAUI EVENTS IN JUNE
Maui County AgFest: This annual day-long event is all about food, farms, and fun! Maui AgFest aims to connect visitors and the Valley Isle community with local farmers and Maui-grown products. The festival features an enormous farmer’s market, keiki activities, a 4H animal exhibit, food booths, a pancake breakfast, and the coveted Grand Taste event.
The Grand Taste 2023 features a lineup of 12 chefs vying for the “Fan Favorite” award. Each chef selects a locally grown ingredient and must create a dish to showcase that ingredient. Ticket holders sample all 12 dishes and then vote for their favorite. Grand Taste judges also give out awards for “Best Protein,” “Best Vegetarian” and “Best Overall.” Awards are announced at 4 p.m. Free Admission, but the Grand Tasting is $30
2023 Date: Saturday, June 3rd War Memorial Complex, Wailuku (Central Maui). Details & Future Dates (as they become available).
Waʻa Kiakahi Canoe Festival: Each year, the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association hosts Waʻa Kiakahi on Kaanapali Beach. This event was created to perpetuate traditional Hawaiian canoe sailing and the skills related to sailing outrigger canoes. Festivities include canoe races, demonstrations, and sailing-canoe rides. It’s beautiful to watch and a great place to learn more about Hawaiian seafaring!
2023 Date: Sunday, June 11th. Kaanapali (West Maui). Details & Future Dates (as they become available). Places to stay in Kaanapali.
Annual World Whale Film Festival: Pacific Whale Foundation hosts the World Whale Film Festival annually on World Ocean Day, June 8th. Held at Maui Ocean Vodka Farm in Kula, the festival screens films spanning themes of environmental stewardship, marine wildlife conservation, and Indigenous ecological knowledge. A virtual event is also held from June 8 to 30.
2023 Date: Thursday, June 8th. Kula (Upcountry) Details & Future Dates (as they become available). Explore Upcountry.
Annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival: The Kapalua Wine and Food Festival is the longest running epicurean festival in Hawaii! The event features wine tasting seminars, cooking demos, and the fabulous Grand Tasting event. Guests can rub elbows with celebrity chefs and renowned winemakers — and enjoy to-die-for food and wine pairings, of course. This is one of the most popular things to do on Maui in summer!
2023 Dates: June 8-11th. Kapalua (West Maui). Details & Future Dates (as they become available). Places to stay in Kapalua!
Kamehameha Day Celebration: June 11 is Kamehameha Day, a Hawaii state holiday honoring Kamehameha, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 and became Hawaii’s first king. The annual Kamehameha Day celebration includes a colorful parade and a weekend festival (ho’olaulea) in Lahaina with food and craft booths, Hawaiian music, and hula. The Kamehameha Day parade is known for its elegant pa’u riders (pictured)–women traditionally garbed in long skirts riding on horses draped in elaborate fresh flower lei.
2023 Date: June 17th, parade at 9:45 am on Front Street in Lahaina; Kenui Street to Shaw Street. Awards ceremony to follow under the Lahaina banyan tree. Lahaina (West Maui). Details & Future Dates (as they become available). Vacation condos in Lahaina.
Annual Hawaiian Slack Key (Ki Hoalu) Guitar Festival: This free festival honors Hawaii’s best slack key guitarists. Held annually at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, the Slack Key Festival also features ono food and craft booths.
2023 Date: TBA Kahului (Central Maui) Details & Future Dates (as they become available).
Cycle To The Sun: Calling all cyclists: Are you up for one of the most challenging (but rewarding) rides in the word? The annual Cycle To The Sun starts at sea level in Paia and climbs 10,000 feet (and 36 miles) to the summit of Haleakala— traveling the longest, steepest paved road in the world.
2023 Date: June 24th. North Shore/Upcountry. Details & Future Dates (as they become available). North Shore B&Bs to stay at.
Maui Film Festival: This popular annual film fest features The Taste of Wailea and Taste of Chocolate culinary events, gala parties galore, and evening film screenings at the “Celestial Cinema”– a 50-foot movie screen set outdoors under the stars on the Wailea Gold golf course. But those aren’t the only stars you’ll see at this event. This is a great place for celebrity sightings! Details are still being released for the 2022 event, with most of the film screenings set to take place at The Maui Arts and Cultural Center A&B Amphitheater.
2023 Dates: June 28th-July 2nd. Kahului (Central Maui), although some events historically take place in Wailea (South Maui), Details & Future Dates (as they become available). Where to stay in Wailea.
MAUI EVENTS IN JULY
Lanai Pineapple Festival: The Annual Pineapple Festival on the island of Lanai (Maui’s sister island and part of Maui County) started in the 1970s as the kick-off for the Lanai Community Association’s annual fund drive. The Pineapple Festival is the island’s largest annual event and features delicious food, cooking competitions, entertainment, craft and volunteer booths, fireworks, and of course plenty of pineapple.
2023 Dates: July 1, 2023 Dole Park on the island of Lanai. Details & Future Dates (as they become available). Ferry service is available between Lahaina and the island of Lanai.
4th of July Fireworks: The annual 4th of July celebration on Front Street in Lahaina is always a great time! You can expect live bands, plenty of festivities, and food and drink specials at many of Lahaina’s bars and restaurants. Stick around until 8 pm for a spectacular firework show over the ocean fronting Lahaina. This is the only public Independence Day fireworks show on the island!
2023 Date: July 4th – Live music begins at 5pm, Front street traffic closed from 6:30pm-8:30pm, and Fireworks display over the water at 8pm. Lahaina (West Maui.) Details & Future Dates (as they become available). Stay at a Lahaina B&B!
Makawao Stampede (previously called Makawao Rodeo): The 66th Annual Makawao Stampede takes place at the Oskie Rice Arena with events lasting for 3 days! The Bull Bash kicks off the event, followed by the rodeo finals. Admission costs $25 daily for adults (or $60 for a weekend pass), while babies and toddlers are free.
2023 Date: TBA Makawao (Upcountry) 2020 Details & Dates.
Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships: Maui County encompasses the four islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kaho’olawe. The Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships is an annual event bringing together athletes from around the world. Paddleboarders cross the Ka’iwi Channel between the islands of Molokai and Oahu, a 32-mile journey across a 2,300-foot-deep channel that has challenged athletes since the first organized outrigger race in 1952.
2023 Dates: July 30th. Details & Future Dates (as they become available).
MAUI EVENTS IN AUGUST
Obon Dance & Festival: Introduced to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants, obon festivals are a traditional remembrance to honor the spirits of those who have passed on, celebrated with special services and events. Open to the public, enjoy games for the kids, food, crafts, and bon odori dancing. Held at various missions around the island on different dates, the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission Annual Obon Festival is always a must do!
2023 Dates: June 3rd & July 1st Lahaina (West Maui), Details & Future Dates (as they become available). Condo to stay at in West Maui.
Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival: Come by the Lahaina Banyan Tree for a community hula event featuring several local hula halau (groups). The event also includes Maui-made arts, free keiki activities, and hula workshops under the Lahaina Banyan Tree. Presented by Ohana Farden, Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club and Lahaina Town Action Committee from 9 am to 5 pm.
2023 Dates: TBA Lahaina (West Maui), Details & Future Dates (as they become available). Learn more about Hula on our blog What is Hula?
MORE TIPS FOR SUMMER ACTIVITIES ON MAUI
Year-round Activities
Friday Night Town Parties:
Friday Night Town Parties: If it’s Friday, there’s a party on Maui! The Town Parties (sponsored by Maui County) take place on Friday evenings in different towns across the island. The town parties are great fun for both visitors and residents, with local food, entertainment, and vendors. More Details. NOTE: Fourth Friday in Kihei and Second Friday in Lahaina is the only town party in currently in operation. Wailuku and Makawao are expected to follow suit soon!
• First Friday of the month — Wailuku Town Party (Central Maui)
• Second Friday — Lahaina Town Party (West Maui) – Back in operation!
• Third Friday — Makawao Town Party (Upcountry); this one takes place every other month, rather than monthly
• Fourth Friday – Kihei Town Party (South Maui) – Back in operation!
Free Entertainment: When you are here, make sure you check for entertainment and events at nearby hotels and resorts, as well as island shopping centers, which often offer free hula shows, activities like lei making and ukulele lessons, and live Hawaiian entertainment. And check out my list of 25 Free Things To Do on Maui for other suggestions.
Farmers Markets: A popular stop for locals and visitors alike, peruse the delicious local produce at a nearby farmers market. Enjoy colorful and flavorful fruits and veggies, learn about the unique produce of Maui, and support the local farmers and vendors. Often local crafters and designers are also selling their unique products like jams and jellies, clothing, jewelry, and island-themed goodies. Some of our top favorites include the Upcountry Farmers Market, Napili Farmers Market, and South Maui Farmers Market. See our ultimate guide to Maui Farmers Markets.
Live Music on Maui — Mana’o Radio: Live music is happening around the island, with local musicians jamming almost every night at some of the island’s best restaurants. To find out who’s performing where, check out Mana’o Radio’s Music2Nite site for a full lineup of live music on Maui.
Mana’o Radio (KMNO 91.7 FM) is Maui’s non-commercial all-volunteer radio station. Instead of a canned, pre-programmed song list, you’ll hear local people (volunteer djs) playing an eclectic selection of the music they love best. Listen while you’re here on Maui, or live stream from their website. Tune in to a truly local radio station! Follow Mana’o Radio on Facebook for the latest word on their broadcast schedule and live events on Maui.
Grassroots Festivals and Fundraisers: Don’t be shy to buy a ticket and attend local school, church, and charity fundraisers, bazaars, and festivals. These events are a great way for visitors to experience an authentic local gathering, and the organizers will love to have you there. There is always plenty of local food (eating is a priority here on Maui!) and entertainment, and often there are fundraising auctions (silent and live) where you can snag great deals on visitor activities like luaus, golf, dining, and boat tours.
Live Webcams: When you are here planning your day on Maui, check out these webcams to view current weather conditions around the island. It’s not unusual for it to be overcast or rainy in one area but clear and sunny just a few minutes away!
Maui Arts & Cultural Center: This is another excellent resource you should check for upcoming events and performances on Maui, from world-famous celebrities and musicians to symphonies and ballet to local Hawaiian cultural programs and festivals. The Maui Arts & Cultural Center is located in Kahului.
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