Hawaii Festivals & Events

On this page you will find the larger events that are held across the Hawaiian Islands. You will also find Hawaii's Public Holidays.

For island specific Special Events, click on the individual island links at the top of the page.

If you don't find any festivals and events that particulary interest you, and you have sufficient time to sort through all of the events, check out the Calendar of Hawaii Festivals and Events.

The calendar is updated frequently and includes detailed information on all of the festivals and events (big or small) happening across the state.

January

New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, the night before this national holiday, fireworks displays take place in some of the larger towns and resorts.

Chinese New Year. Festivities begin at the second new moon after the winter solstice (mid-January to mid-February) with lion dances and strings of firecrackers. Honolulu's Chinatown is the center stage, but there are also events at Wing Ho Temple in Lahaina, Maui.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This national holiday is observed on the third Monday of the month.

February

Presidents Day. This national holiday is observed on the third Monday of the month.

March

St. Patrick's Day. The March 17 festivities include a parade down Waikiki's Kalakaua Ave.

Prince Kuhio Celebrations. Various festivals throughout the state celebrate the birth of Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, who was born on March 26, 1871, and elected to Congress in 1902. On his native island of Kaual there's a weeklong festival, including canoe racing, music and dance.

Easter. This Christian holiday falls in March or April. Many businesses are closed on Good Friday (the Friday before Easter Sunday).

May

May Day. Known as Lei Day in Hawaii, the first day of May finds everyone wearing leis. The festivities include lei-making cmpetitions on several islands.

Outrigger Canoe Season. From May to September nearly every weekend on all islands, canoe paddlers participate in outrigger canoe races.

Memorial Day. The last Monday in May is a national holiday that honors soldiers killed in battle.

June Hawaii Festivals

King Kamehameha Day. This state holiday is celebrated on June 11 or the nearest weekend, with events on all islands.

July Hawaii Festivals

Independence Day. On all the islands, fireworks and festivities mark this national holiday on July 4.

August Hawaii Festivals

Obon. This special season, which is celebrated around the islands in July and August, is marked by tradional Japanese dances to honor deceased ancestors. The final event is a floating lantern ceremony at Waikiki's Ala Wai Canal.

Admissions Day. Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959. The state takes a holiday (all state-related facilities are closed) on the third Friday in August.

September Hawaii Festivals

Labor Day. This is a national holiday observed on the first Monday of the month.

Aloha Festivals. Various locations statewide. This celebration of all things Hawaiian includes parades, cultural events, contest, canoe races and Hawaiian music. Festivities are staggered from mid-September to early October, depending on the island.

October Hawaii Festivals

Columbus Day. This national holiday is observed on the second Monday of the month.

November Hawaii Festivals

Election Day. The second Tuesday of the month is a state holiday during election years.

Veterans Day. November 11 is a national holiday honoring veterans of the armed services.

Hawaii International Film Festival. About 175 films from Pacific Rim and Asian nations are screened in theaters throughout the islands. The festival begins in Oahu in mid-November and continues on the neighbor islands the following week.

Thanksgiving. This national holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month.

December Hawaii Festivals

Bodhi Day. The Budhist Day of Enlightenment is celebrated on the 8th, with ceremonies at Buddhist temples.

Christmas Day. December 25 is a national holiday. Christmas festivals and craft fairs take place on all the islands throughout December.