This guide was researched in spring 2026. Timing below describes when events usually happen, not confirmed dates. For this year's dates, prices and vendor details, see the listed upcoming events or check the organizer's website before you go or apply. How we verify events

Craft Fairs & Artisan Markets in Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo is the Big Island's craft market anchor on the east side of Hawaii Island. The Hilo Farmers Market draws 150+ vendors on its busiest days, with handmade jewelry, quilts, tie-dye, and local produce lining Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo. The Merrie Monarch Craft Fair runs alongside a world-renowned hula competition each spring. Craft fairs in Hilo have a more local, community-driven character than the resort-area markets on the Kona Coast — this is where East Hawaii's maker community gathers, sells, and connects.

Hilo's Craft Fair Scene

The Hilo Farmers Market is the anchor event. Operating daily along Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo, open 7am to 3pm, it peaks on Wednesdays and Saturdays when 150+ vendors fill the market with produce, prepared foods, and handmade goods. Artisan vendors sell jewelry, Hawaiian quilts, tie-dye clothing, carved wood items, and tropical soaps. The market has been a Hilo institution for years and draws both residents and visitors staying on the island's east side.

The Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair coincides with the Merrie Monarch Festival, a week-long cultural event in Hilo each spring with a world-renowned hula competition; the 2026 fair ran April 8–11 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. The craft fair draws vendors selling traditional and contemporary Hawaiian crafts alongside the hula performances, and the combination of cultural significance and craft shopping makes it a standout event on the Big Island calendar.

The Maku'u Farmers Market in Pahoa (15 miles south in the Puna district) draws 173+ vendors every Sunday selling produce, local crafts, and food. It has a different energy than the Hilo Farmers Market — more rural, more eclectic, with a mix of agricultural products and handmade items that reflects Puna's independent community character.

Community venues around Hilo host periodic craft events and holiday markets.

Cultural Events Near Hilo

The Merrie Monarch Festival itself is a cultural event without parallel in Hawaii — the hula competition draws halau (hula schools) from across the state and beyond. The craft fair component is tied directly to this cultural tradition, with many vendors offering goods connected to Hawaiian art forms.

Volcano (about 20 miles southwest, near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park) has a small art gallery community that serves tourists visiting the park. Waimea/Kamuela (about 42 miles northwest) hosts farmers markets in Parker Ranch country. These smaller communities extend the craft shopping options for visitors based in Hilo.

Best Times to Visit Hilo for Craft Fairs

The Hilo Farmers Market operates daily, with the biggest days on Wednesday and Saturday. The Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair runs each spring alongside the hula festival (April 8–11 in 2026). The Maku'u Market in Pahoa runs every Sunday.

Holiday season (November-December) brings additional gift markets and community bazaars. Hilo receives more rainfall than the Kona Coast, but the covered market areas and indoor venues accommodate events regardless of weather.

Nearby Cities for Craft Fairs

Kailua-Kona — ~80 miles west via Saddle Road; Kokua Kailua Village Stroll (one Sunday a month); Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (November)
Honolulu, Oahu — inter-island flight ~45 min; Made in Hawaii Festival (August); Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (400+ vendors)
Lahaina, Maui — inter-island flight ~40 min; Maui Gift & Craft Fair (weekly Sunday market)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best craft fairs in Hilo, Hawaii?

The Hilo Farmers Market (150+ vendors on big days, open daily) is the anchor. The Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair (spring, alongside the hula festival) is the most culturally significant. The Maku'u Farmers Market in Pahoa (173+ vendors on Sundays) offers a more rural experience.

When do craft fairs happen in Hilo?

Year-round. The Hilo Farmers Market operates daily, peaking Wednesday and Saturday. The Merrie Monarch Craft Fair runs in spring alongside the hula festival. The Maku'u Market runs every Sunday. Holiday markets appear from November through December.

What crafts are popular at Hilo markets?

Handmade jewelry, Hawaiian quilts, tie-dye clothing, carved wood items, tropical soaps, and locally produced foods are the staples at the Hilo Farmers Market. The Merrie Monarch Craft Fair features traditional Hawaiian crafts tied to hula and Hawaiian culture. The Maku'u Market adds local crafts and food alongside fresh produce.

Find Events in Hilo

CraftShow Events covers craft fairs, artisan markets, and event listings in Hilo and across Hawaii. Search by date and event type to find the Hilo Farmers Market, Merrie Monarch Craft Fair, and everything in between.