How to Watch the 63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival

The Merrie Monarch Festival is one of the biggest events in Hawaiʻi. The 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival kicks off on April 5 in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island, which features three consecutive days of hula competition: The Miss Aloha Hula competition on April 9, the kahiko division on April 10 and the ʻauana division on April 11.

READ MORE: What is the Merrie Monarch Festival? A Primer 

The Merrie Monarch Festival is more than a competition; it’s also a celebration of Hawaiian culture and art. Additional events take place throughout the week, like the popular Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair and hōʻike performances. The week concludes with the annual royal parade through Hilo, a beloved tradition honoring the heritage of the town, the Islands’ vibrant culture and the art of hula.

READ MORE: 8 Flowers and Lei You’ll See the Merrie Monarch Festive

Of course, you’ll want to see the events live. The 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival runs from April 5 to 11, 2026, with competitions held at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multipurpose Stadium. If you didn’t get tickets, here’s how to watch the competitions live.

Where to Watch the 2026 Merrie Monarch Festival Live 

The festival is conveniently streaming the competitions directly on its website, with versions in English and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). Hawaiʻi News Now is also streaming the competitions live on its website.

Broadcasting Schedule 

You don’t want to miss your favorite event or competition, so here is the broadcasting schedule for the Merrie Monarch Festival in 2026.

• Miss Aloha Hula Competition: Thursday, April 9, 6 p.m., HST 
• Hula Kahiko Competition: Friday, April 10, 6 p.m., HST 
• Hula ʻAuana Competition: Saturday, April 11, 6 p.m., HST 

For more information about the the Merrie Monarch Festival, visit merriemonarch.com.