Signature Festivals and Events Program
Forecasted
Signature Festivals and Events Program supports event organizers staging major Hawaiʻi festivals that showcase the islands, attract visitors, strengthen the destination brand, and benefit communities.
Funder: Hawaii Tourism Authority
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (2027 project cycle application deadline, projected for early December)
Funding Amounts: $100,000 per award for 2027 events; 1:1 cash match required
Summary: Supports major Hawaiʻi festivals and events that strengthen the destination brand, attract out-of-state visitors, and benefit communities.
Key Information: Events must expect at least 5,000 in-person attendees, including at least 25% out-of-state visitors.
Description
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s Signature Festivals and Events Program supports major, world-class events that showcase the Hawaiian Islands, strengthen Hawaiʻi’s destination brand, generate media exposure, and contribute to statewide economic benefits. The program seeks to strengthen existing community events and create new festivals and events for residents and visitors. Supported events are typically larger than those funded through the Community Enrichment Program and use broad-reaching national and international marketing to attract visitors.
For 2027, eligible festival and event themes are agriculture, arts, culinary, Native Hawaiian culture, and Hawaiʻi’s multicultural heritage. Sports projects should apply to the Sports Tournaments & Events program instead. Kilohana Collective, a division of the Hawaiian Council, administers the program through ʻUmeke Powered by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
