FRIDAY, Dec. 11
West Hawaii County Band concert
Hale Halawai, Kona/6:30-7:30 PM
West Hawaii County Band will offer a free holiday music concert. Lisa Archuletta, who received her music degree from the University of Hawaii and her master’s degree from Yale University School of Music, will conduct the concert.
Info: Marshall Tohara, 327-3565, www.hawaiicounty.gov/pr-county-band.
*********************
County hosts holiday open house
West Hawaii Civic Center, Kona/4:30-7 PM
The county will hold its annual holiday open house. Families are invited to “A Holiday Family Affair featuring Darlene Ahuna as well as activities like a bounce castle, a climbing wall, face painting, make-and-take crafts, keiki ID cards and photos with Santa. Refreshments will be served.
Donations of nonperishable food items will be collected for the Hawaii Island Food Basket.
Info: 323-4444.
*********************
Feast on the Beach benefit for Kona Hospital Foundation
Lava Lava Beach Club, S. Kohala/6-10 PM
Presented by Kona Hospital Foundation. Listen to the sounds of LT Smooth and Henry Kapono while enjoying food and drinks. Tickets are $125, or reserve a table of eight for $1,400, plus tax.
Info: 322-4587, khfhawaii.org
*********************
APAC presents ‘Christmas with Mark Twain’
Aloha Theatre, Kona/7:30 PM
Tickets are $22 for adults; $20 for seniors and students; and $10 for keiki younger than 18. See page 8 for the full story. Christmas with Mark Twain continues Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through Dec. 20.
Info: apachawaii.org, 322-9924
*********************
*********************
SATURDAY, Dec. 12
Waimea Community Chorus presents ‘Good Tidings We Bring’
Kahilu Theatre, Waimea/7 PM
Waimea Community Chorus’ 60 singers will be accompanied by a mini-orchestra for its annual holiday performance. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and $10 for children 10 and younger. The chorus will offer a second performance at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13.
Info: 885-5818, www.waimeacommunitytheatre.org/chorus.html
*********************
Create a holiday centerpiece
Kealakekua Public Library, Kona/11 AM
Michele Kenney, acting branch manager at Kealakekua Public Library, will offer a class on the art of paper-cutting on Saturday. Using certain cutting tools, adult participants will create 3-D paper ornaments that crafts can be used as centerpieces during the holiday season.
Info: 323-7585
*********************
31st Annual Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade
Kailua Village, Kona/5 PM
Parade begins at Kekuaokalani Gymnasium and heads south on Kuakini Highway before heading along Alii Drive to Walua Road.
Info: paradesinkona.com, 313-0025
*********************
Ohia wreathmaking workshop
Society for Kona’s Education and Art, Kona/10AM-1PM
Make you own ohia holiday wreath. Cost, which includes supplies, is $20 for SKEA members/$25 for nonmembers. Register by calling SKEA at 328-9392 or emailing skea@hawaii.rr.com.
Info: 328-9392
*********************
Take a photo with the Grinch
Kona Stories, Keauhou/1-3 PM
Free photos with the Grinch. Participants can use their own camera or the bookstore’s camera. Also during the event will be pupu and free gift wrapping. Event continues Dec. 19.
Info: 324-0350/konastories.com
*********************
*********************
SUNDAY, Dec. 13
Mark Yamanaka offers free holiday concert
Emma’s Square, Kailua Village, Kona/5 PM
Stroll through Kailua Village during Kokua Kailua, which runs 1 to 6 p.m., and checkout vendors, artists and musicians. At 5 p.m., Mark Yamanaka takes center stage at Emma’s Square for a free holiday concert.
Info: historickailuavillage.com
*********************
Hulihee Palace monthly Concert
Kailua Village, Kona/4 PM
Free Hawaiian music concert featuring the Merrie Monarchs men’s glee club and Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii on the palace’s south. Bring your own beach mat or chair. Before and after the concert, stroll thru Kailua Village amid Kokua Kailua.
Info: historickailuavillage.com
*********************
Lighted boat parade
Kailua Bay, Kona/6-7 PM
Parade within Kailua Bay showcases Kona’s fleet of boats with holiday light show.
More info: historickailuavillage.com
*********************
Kona Festivale Chorale ‘Celebration of Christmas in Music’
King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Kona/3 PM
The annual “Celebration of Christmas In Music” offers a variety of timeless Christmas classics and the message of Christmas. General admission tickets are $20 and children younger than age 12 enter free. Reserved seating tickets for adults are $25 and $10 for children.
Info: 331-1115
*********************
*********************
THURSDAY, Dec. 17
Picture taking with Santa
Queens’ MarketPlace/5-8 PM
Take a snap shot with Santa. Free. Located by the clock between Island Gourmet Market and Romano’s Macaroni Grill.
Info: queensmarketplace.net
*********************
*********************
FRIDAY, Dec. 18
Family Christmas Drama Celebration
Kona Faith Center, Captain Cook/6:30 PM
This free event features a Christmas service and family drama.
*********************
*********************
SATURDAY, Dec. 19
Sasha Knowles Dance presents ‘Nutcracker with a Twist’
Queens’ MarketPlace/3 PM
Info: queensmarketplace.net
*********************
Kona Harp Ensemble Cherish the Child concert
Kahilu Theatre, Waimea/6 PM
Kona Harp Ensemble, which features harps, woodwinds, saxophone, shakuhachi and bamboo flutes, performs. Tickets are $15 to $30.
Info: info@veganaloha.com
*********************
*********************
SUNDAY, Dec. 20
Live Nativity scene on display
Kona Baptist Church, Keauhou/5:30-8:30 PM
The church’s children will present a live Nativity Scene. The event is free and hot cocoa will be served. Event continues Sunday, Dec. 21.
Info: konabaptist@hawaii.rr.com
*********************
Christmas Choral Celebration
Kona Baptist Church, Keauhou/10:15 AM
Youth and adults will offer a free performance.
Info: konabaptist@hawaii.rr.com
*********************
Family Christmas Drama Celebration
Kona Faith Center, Captain Cook/9:30 AM and 5:30 PM
A Christmas service will be held as well as a family drama performed.
Info: sandrashepherd@konafaithcenter.org
*********************
11th annual Jingle Bell Run
Coconut Grove Marketplace, Kona/7:30 AM
Event features 5K, 10K and 1-mile runs, as well as a free Keiki Dash. There will also be a costume contest with prizes and donations will be collected for Family Support Hawaii’s “Christmas for Children” program.
Info: rani@hawaiisportevents.com
*********************
*********************
MONDAY, Dec. 21
West Hawaii Dance Theatre and Academy presents‘The Nutcracker’
Kahilu Theatre,Waimea/6 PM
Tickets range from $18 to $33. More than 50 local dancers will be accompanied by dancers from The Maui Academy Performing Arts, Carolina Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet. Ballet will also be performed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22.
Info: 329-8876, whdt.org or kahilutheatre.org
*********************
*********************
TUESDAY, Dec. 22
Holiday Ohana Dinner
Daifukuji Soto Mission, Kealakekua/3-7 PM
Some 750 meals will be served during this buffet-style dinner. Entertainment includes taiko drumming, Lava Roots African dance and music. Donations are sought and volunteer opportunities are available. Call 328-0171 for details. Event is by donation.
Info: 328-0171
*********************
*********************
THURSDAY, Dec. 24
Mokuaikaua Church’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Mokuaikaua Church, Kona/8 PM
Info: office@mokuaikaua.com