Calling all Hawaii book and music lovers! Is there anything better than kicking back on a Hawaiian beach, digging your toes into the sand, feeling the ocean breeze on your skin, and enjoying a good book while listening to your favorite tunes through headphones? We don’t think so — except perhaps attending the annual Hawaii Book and Music Festival this weekend. You seriously won’t want to miss this.

Now in its 14th year, the Hawaii Book and Music Festival celebrates books, storytelling, and music in a way that is fun for the entire family. The 2019 event, which is presented by Bank of Hawaii, will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 4th and 5th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Civic Grounds in Honolulu, and we can’t wait.

The jam-packed two-day festival features 150 events across multiple pavilions and stages. Not only will festival goers be introduced to Hawaii’s multicultural heritage through its books and music, but Hawaii will be introduced to new worlds of literary and musical arts beyond the islands.

From live music, readings, and informational panels about a variety of topics to keiki activities, the publishers’ village, an international food court, this free event features a little bit of everything and is sure to be fun, accessible, and memorable for people of all backgrounds, ages, and tastes.

Introduce your children to the fun, exciting world of literature at a young age in the Keiki Fun Zone, which features a variety of fun music and storytelling performances as well as hands-on activities.

Browse through a ton of new and exciting titles in the Publisher’s Village, where you will find booths set up from your favorite Hawaii publishers including Kamehameha Publishing, Bishop Museum Press, and the University of Hawaii Press. Not only will you find great deals, but you will have the opportunity to support your favorite local authors and publishers.

Don’t forget to swing by the Author Signing Tent sponsored by Barnes and Noble and browse through a ton of new and exciting titles in the Publisher’s Village as well as the Bank of Hawaii Book Swap, where you can trade your gently used books for new ones with other Hawaii bookworms.

Bookworms and music lovers alike will thoroughly enjoy this fantastic, fun, and free festival, and we personally love any event that supports literacy as well as our favorite local authors, musicians, storytellers, and publishers.

The Hawaii Book and Music Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 4th and 5th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Civic Grounds by Honolulu Hale (address: 650 S King St., Honolulu, HI 96813). For more information, visit their website or follow them on Facebook. See you there!

If you want to browse through the largest selection of used books in the Aloha State, check out this epic bookstore in Kailua-Kona.