This year marks the 131st Heiva i Tahiti, an annual event that transforms the island into a spectacular celebration of Polynesian culture and dance. They just released the schedule and the performances are set to kick off on Thursday, July 4th at To’ata Square in downtown Papeete, and conclude on Saturday, July 20th. If you’re traveling to Tahiti during this time, we highly encourage you to attend! For more information about the event, check out our coverage from last year.

Locally, tickets are on sale at the Carrefour grocery store and through the radio station Radio1 Fare Ute. We can also reserve tickets when making your travel arrangements; so simply let us know how we can assist you. If you’re visiting Bora Bora, you can also attend the Heiva i Bora Bora from June 21st to July 28th at Moto’i Place in Vaitape.

Here’s the full translated schedule for the 2013 Heiva i Tahiti:

Dance Performance Schedule

Thursday, July 4th: 7:00 p.m. Rahiri Ceremony; 7:40 p.m. Ori i Tahiti (dance, Hura Ava Tau); 8:50 p.m. Tamarii Pereaitu (vocals, Tarava Raromatai); 9:30 p.m. Tamarii Manotahi (vocals, Tarava Raromatai); 10:10 p.m. Nonahere (dance, Hura Tau).

Friday, July 5th: 7:00 p.m. Vaiarii Nui (vocals, Tarava Tahiti); 7:40 p.m. Faretou no Haapu (dance, Hura Ava Tau); 8:50 p.m. Vaihoataua (vocals, Tarava Raromatai); 9:30 p.m. Tamarii Afaahiti (vocals, Tarava Tahiti); 10:10 p.m. Heikura Nui (dance, Hura Tau).

Saturday, July 6th: 7:00 p.m. Pupu Tuhaa Pae (vocals, Tarava Tuhaa Pae); 7:40 p.m. Teata Nui (dance, Hura Ava Tau); 8:50 p.m. O Faa’a (vocals, Tarava Raromatai); 9:30 p.m. Tamarii Teahupoo (vocals, Tarava Tahiti); 10:10 p.m. Hei Tahiti (dance, Hura Tau).

Thursday, July 11th: 7:00 p.m. Tamarii Rapa no Tahiti (vocals, Tarava Tuhaa Pae); 7:40 p.m. Tahina no Uturoa (dance, Hura Ava Tau); 8:50 p.m. Teruarei no Moorea (vocals, Tarava Raromatai); 9:30 p.m. Faretou no Haapu (vocals, Tarava Raromatai); 10:10 p.m. Tamarii Tipaerui (dance, Hura Tau).

Friday, July 12th: 7:00 p.m. Tamarii Mataiea (vocals, Tarava Tahiti); 7:40 p.m. Tamarii Pereaitu (dance, Hura Ava Tau); 8:50 p.m. Haururu Papenoo (vocals, Tarava Tahiti); 9:30 p.m. Tamarii Tipaerui (vocals, Tarava Raromatai); 10:10 p.m. Pupu Tuhaa Pae (dance, Hura Tau).

Saturday, July 13th: 7:00 p.m. Hanatika (dance, Hura Tau); 8:10 p.m. Festival Committee Ziona no Pueu (vocals, Tarava Tahiti); 8:50 p.m. Hura Tahiti Nui (dance, Hura Ava Tau); 10:00 p.m. Tahina no Uturoa (vocals, Tarava Raromatai); 10:40 p.m. Toakura (dance, Hura Tau).

Thursday, July 18th: 7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Awards

Saturday, July 20th: 7:30 p.m. Award Ceremony

Sporting Event Schedule

Wednesday, July 3rd: Walking on Fire (Umu Ti Ceremony). Organized by Raymond tahu’a Graffe, this ceremony is now in its 60th edition and brings together hundreds of spectators fascinated by this ancient practice. Volunteers are invited to follow the priest on the hot stones. The surface temperature can exceed 2000°C or 3600 °F (Location: Mahana Park).

Saturday, July 13th: 9:30 a.m. Javelin Team Patia Fa; 10:30 a.m. Copra Vahine Team; 11:30 a.m. Ma’a Tahiti; 12:00 p.m. Traditional Show; 1:00 p.m. Javelin Team Patia Ai; 1:00 p.m. Stone Lifting Vahine; 2:00 p.m. Copra Tane Team (Location: The Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands).

Sunday, July 14th: 10:00 a.m. Javelin Team Te Vahine; 11:30 a.m. Ma’a Tahiti; 12:00 p.m. Traditional Show; 1:00 p.m. Javelin Team Iaora Farani; 1:00 p.m. Stone Lifting; 2:00 p.m. Copra Tane Team; 2:30 p.m. Coconut Tree Climbing (Location: The Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands).

Tuesday, July 16th: 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Fruit Bearing Races (Tu Hou, Vahine, Feia Api, Aito); 5:30 p.m. Traditional Show (Location: Paofai Gardens).

Saturday, July 27th: 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Traditional Canoe Racing (Location: Point Venus).

Va’a (Canoe) Schedule

Lagoon Races: Heiva Mata’eina’a 

Friday, June 28th: V3 and V6, starting at 8:00 a.m. from Place Jacques Chirac.

Saturday, June 29th: V1 and V16, starting at 8:00 a.m. from Place Jacques Chirac.

Ocean Races: Heiva Va’a 

Thursday, July 4th: Weighing starting at 8:00 a.m. at To’ata Square. Friday, July 5th: Starting at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. from Place Jacques Chirac.

Saturday, July 6th: Tour of Moorea, starting at 8:00 a.m. at To’ata Square. Sunday, July 14th: Super Tauati, Edouard Maamaatua Memorial Race, departs at 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. from Faa’a Airport and arrives at To’ata Square.