Tonga's annual Heilala Festival will be held on a new date this year from July 21-29 to join in with the celebrations of the Coronation of King George Tupou V.

The Heilala Festival, previously held leading up to the July 4 birthday of the late King Tupou IV, was held last year on June 30-July 13 to celebrate Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka's birthday.

Semisi Sika, the Festival Director, said today that the Executive members of the Tonga Tourist Association wanted to move the festival to the new dates so their programs are held as a lead-up to the coronation celebrations that start on July 30.

"We decided to squeeze in the festival celebrations in just one week so that it finishes the day before the coronation celebrations begin and to be enjoyed by the people who are planning to attend the coronation."

Semisi said although the program had not been confirmed, but the festival would accommodate the usual events of the Heilala Beauty Pageant, a float parade, a block party in central Nuku‘alofa and sports events.

"There are also coronation sports events organised by the Ministry of Training, Employment Youth and Sports that will be held prior to the coronation so we will see if we can coincide some of our sports events with theirs," explained Semisi.

Meanwhile, the Vava‘’u Annual Tourism and Hospital Week that is usually held in May has not been confirmed for this year.

The birthday of HM King George Tupou V on May 4 is no longer a public holiday, and instead his birthday will be celebrated on August 1, which becomes a new public holiday to mark his coronation.