Tonga's annual Heilala Festival begins in Nuku'alofa on Monday June 25 and runs to Friday July 6, including the 2018 Miss Heilala Pageant.

In a tentative program released by the Ministry of Tourism the festivities start on June 25 with a Best Chef competition. The Tonga’s Got Talent and a Best Bartender competition is set for  June 26.

The Miss Junior Tau’olunga and Floorshow competition is set for Thursday June 28, a Tonga Masani Block party in the CBD on Friday June 29 followed by various sports tournaments on Saturday June 30.

A choral evening will be held on Sunday July 1.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the festival, the Miss Heilala Pageant starts on Friday June 27 with an orientation program at Tanoa Dateline Hotel followed by a cultural singing competition in the evening at the ‘Atele Indoor Stadium.

The first judging for the pageant is July 2 the pre-pageant interview, Miss Heiala Tau’olunga competition on July 3, Heilala Float on Wednesday July 4 and Miss Heilala Pacific Evening on Thursday July 5.

The pageant concludes with the Miss Heilala Ball and prize giving on Friday July 6, all to be held at the ‘Atele Indoor stadium.

This year, a Ha'apai Masani program is part of the Heilala Festival with events organized on the outer island running from June 17 to July 4.