From Food Festivals to Outdoor Adventures, These Maui Events and Activities Will Make You Want to Catch a Flight
After being bundled up all winter long, we’re dreaming of warm waves, sandy beaches and sunny outdoor adventures on a Hawaiian tropical island. The good news is we’ve got plenty of time to plan. The even better news? The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is a one-stop paradise for the Hawaii adventures of your dreams (cue up “Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride”).
Kapalua is an area of Maui on the northwest shore known for its white sand beaches, high-end restaurants, luxury resorts and sparkling bays. Among those draws, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is one of the best resorts in Maui, offering a sprawling golf course, a gorgeous pool, several delicious restaurants, a luxury luau experience and a diverse variety of events and adventures to choose from. Ready to pack your bags? Here are seven epic things to do on Maui this year!
1 | Celebration of the Arts
When: March 29-30
If you’re ready to get to Hawaii ASAP and are planning a trip for March, consider aligning your vacation dates with the Celebration of the Arts at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua on March 29-30. This is a renowned arts and cultural festival, drawing crowds and participants from all over the state and beyond. This year marks their 32nd year curating a schedule filled with all of Hawaii’s finest, including a sunrise ceremony, cultural events, art demos, musical performances and educational seminars. You’ll not only have plenty of exposure to fun and enjoyment, but you’ll also have the unique opportunity to learn more about Hawaiian culture, the spirit of aloha, and the history of the island and its people. Come and find out why it’s not just the beaches that make this place beautiful.
2 | Kapalua Wine and Food Festival
When: June 6-9
For all you foodies and vinophiles out there, consider June for your Hawaiian escape! For over 40 years, the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival has been one of the favorite Maui events for visitors and locals alike. This year, along with a selection of premium and hard-to-find wines from around the globe, celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, known for his New York restaurant Aureole, which has 13 Michelin Stars, and Chef Maneet Chauhan are culinary headliners. In addition to visiting chefs, the festival will feature beloved restaurants from Lahaina and Kapalua, with proceeds benefiting a variety of local charities helping with the recovery efforts on Maui. There will also be interactive wine-tasting seminars on an array of topics, from Paso Robles to high-altitude farming to grower champagne.
Local Insight: Don’t miss Jason Arcilla from “The Voice,” who will provide live entertainment during the gala on Saturday!
3 | Zip Lining
No matter what month of the year you book your Maui vacation, you can always find time for adventure, and The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua offers guests access to several on-land activities, such as Kapalua Ziplines—Maui’s only all duel zipline course! You’ll not only get to soar on the lush tropical slopes of a 1.7 million-year-old volcano while taking in spectacular panoramic views, but you’ll have the added bonus of experiencing an ATV ride and a trek across a 360-foot suspension bridge. This is by far one of the best Maui activities out there.
4 | ATV tours
If you prefer to keep your adventures at ground level, ATV tours might be more your speed. After passing a driving test, you’ll get to explore the 1,400-acre Pu’u Kukui Watershed Preserve, home to rare plant and animal species, breathtaking mountain views and plenty of terrain to ride on. As part of the tour, you’ll get to learn all about the land and culture, and you’ll even plant a koa tree to help restore the landscape. You can choose a private or group tour, and they’ll provide you with all the equipment you need to have a safe and fun experience. Just be sure to wear closed toed shoes and maybe bring some baby wipes—you will get muddy.
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5 | Ambassadors of the Environment Program
One of the most unique and educational activities to book during your stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is an Ambassadors of the Environment Program adventure, offering guided hiking, e-bike and snorkel tours. The program was founded by Jean-Michel Cousteau, an French ocean explorer and environmentalist who has dedicated his life to environmental education through films, books and excursions. His main goal is to inspire and empower people to live more sustainably and respect our planet. These curated excursions (think personalized guided eco-tours!) treat nature as a classroom, combining fun and learning to create an experience worth remembering. You’ll leave with a greater feeling of awe toward nature and its systems, a newfound knowledge of ways to protect our planet and a deeper connectedness to yourself and others as well.
6 | Maui Songwriters Festival
When: Stay tuned for 2025 dates!
Bet you didn’t expect a taste of Nashville here on the Hawaiian islands. The annual Maui Songwriters Festival brings Nashville’s greatest country artists to come and share their songs and the inspiring stories behind them. Mingled among the lineup are several local musicians as well, adding a taste of Maui to the mix. With Sony Music Publishing as its partner, this festival attracts top talent across multiple different genres, and throughout the weekend, there are added opportunities to meet them! The 2024 festival was held in January, featuring stars like Old Dominion, Chase Rice and Elle King. If this sounds like your jam, plan ahead and book a trip for next year once the dates are announced—the lineup just gets better each time.
7 | Snorkel + Scuba Adventures
You didn’t think we could forget about scuba, did you? One of the best parts of visiting Hawaii is the chance to be in, on or around the water. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua offers tons of different sea adventures to choose from with plenty of opportunity to see some of the stunning and colorful sea life that calls Maui home. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a snorkeling intro, a wannabe surfer in need of lessons, a newlywed couple seeking a sunset boat ride or an animal lover eager to see some whales, this Maui resort has you covered. Browse through their list of tours and activities or chat with the concierge to find what works best for you.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
1 Ritz-Carlton Dr
Kapalua, HI 96761
808.669.6200
