Tuesday, December 31: 
Hilo Bay New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display.  When the clock strikes midnight, the best place to be in Hilo will be on the waters of Hilo Bay with unobstructed views of fireworks as the explode directly overhead.

Saturday, December 29: 
Annual Wailea Village Mochi Pounding. Celebrate making traditional rice cakes the “old-fashioned” way.  Everyone takes their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck. Hearty local style lunch available to purchase for $5. New Year’s crafts, food vendors, Okinawan taiko drumming, Hawaiian entertainment & more.  Akiko’s Buddhist Bed & Breakfast, 29-2091 Old Mamalahoa Hwy. (Hwy 19 – 15 mile marker), Hakalau.  8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; fire building begins at 7 a.m. For information call (808) 963-6422 or visit www.akikosbnb.com/mochi .

Saturday, December 29:
Hawaiian Sunset Saturdays.  Celebrate Kona’s spectacular sunset with live Hawaiian music and Hula.  Coconut Grove Marketplace, 75-5809 Ali`i Dr., Kailua-Kona. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Free admission.  For information, visit www.kvbid.org.

Monday, December 24: 
Candlelight Service at State of Hawai`i’s Oldest Church.  Mokuaikaua Church will celebrate Christ’s birth with their annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.  Mokuaikaua Church, 75-5713 Ali`i Dr., Kailua-Kona. 8 p.m.  For more information, call (808) 329-0655 or email office@mokuaikaua.com or visit www.mokuaikaua.com.

Friday – Sunday, December 21 – 23:
The Nutcracker Ballet.  Going to see The Nutcracker Ballet is a holiday tradition. The dedicated students of West Hawai`i Dance Theatre will showcase their talent and dance skill, as Maestro Brian Dollinger will lead the orchestral accompaniment. Guest dancers will join in to complete the festive event. West Hawai`i Dance Theatre, 74-5626 Alapa St., Kailua-Kona.  Show times are Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Cost:$29, $39, $49. For more information, call (808) 329-8876 or visit www.whdt.org.

Saturday, December 15: 
Holiday Block Party.  This holiday block party in historic Kainaliu town will be fun for the whole family. Santa, face painting, crafts, food, live music, giveaways, and much more. Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua, from Aloha Theatre to Sandy’s Drive-In. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Free admission. For more information, call (808) 747-4239.

Sunday, December 16:
Kokua Kailua Hulihe`e Palace Concert Series & Village Stroll.  Ali`i Drive along scenic Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona becomes a festive pedestrian-only walkway from 1 to 6 p.m. Enjoy music, artists, vendor booths, merchants and restaurants. At 4 p.m., there is a free Hawaiian music concert on the lawn at Hulihe`e Palace. Bring your own mat or chair and they will be checked for free while you stroll Ali`i Drive, Kailua Village (Kona).  For information, visit www.kvbid.org.

Saturday, December 15: 
Hula Kahiko Performance. Hula halau from across Hawai`i and beyond perform in a one-of-a-kind outdoor setting at the kahua hula (platform) in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, located just a short walking distance from the Volcano Art Gallery in Ka`auea. 10:30 a.m.  Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mat. Event is free, park fees apply. Date is subject to change; to confirm dates, call (808) 987-7288. Held in conjunction with the Hula Kahiko performances, enjoy a display of “Na Mea Hula” (all things hula). Visitors share in a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play an integral role in the life of the hula practitioner. This memorable demonstration is hands-on and family friendly.  Lanai of the Volcano Art Gallery. 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Saturday, December 8: 
Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade.  The parade will begin at 5 p.m. at Kailua’s Kekuaokalani Gym next to Kona Aquatic Center, continues south on Kuakini, down Palani Rd., and along Ali`i Drive to Walua Road, just past Coconut Grove Marketplace. For information call (808) 313-0025 or visit www.paradesinkona.com.

Every Tuesday Morning: 
BikeWorks Beach & Sport – Queens Marketplace. Free fun road ride for cyclists of all levels at 8:15 a.m. Rental bikes available. Get updates on all the BikeWorks activities on the Emily T Gail Show at http://espnhawaii.com/ under the lineup or visit http://www.bikeworkshawaii.com/. Queens Marketplace, Waikoloa Beach Rd. For information about other community rides and/or bike routes call BikeWorks at (808) 886-5000.