Festivals in Honolulu
THE 10 BEST Honolulu Festivals & Cultural Events
Festivals in Honolulu
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Events
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12 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Cultural Events
Downtown Honolulu
Cultural Events
Cultural Events
Diamond Head - Kapahulu - St. Louis
Cultural Events
Cultural Events
Cultural Events • Theatre & Performances
What travellers are saying
- LongIslandbeautyNew York50 contributionsWe went on our last night to the Memorial Day Lantern Floating. There were thousands of people there and we were standing near the stage. Even though the speaker diidn’t speak English, you could feel the respectful tone in her speech. Seeing all those lit lanterns on the water was an emotional experience and so glad we went.Written 19 June 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- bernice b2 contributionsDecember 28,2024
We viewed the beautiful displays of Christmas Lights.
The City if Honolulu did an outstanding job. So creative & beautiful.
It is a must see. It goes on for blocks.Written 29 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - MICHAEL M14 contributionsWhat a wonderful time . Awesome parade. Floral theme was gorgeous. Music was incredible. Marching bands were perfect. So glad to be able to see such a talented group of people. Have seen parades all over the country. By far the best one I have had the opportunity to experience. Thank you to all of the performers for your unforgettable moments that will not be forgotten.Written 29 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ptrabantCronulla, Australia943 contributionsSo its a 30,000 people marathon - out and back along major roads which most of it is fairly flat. good medal and easy expo in centre of town.
Negatives - the start is total chaos , no idea of how to organise pens and a staged timing start - was a total joke .
Lacked proper first aid help on the course , just cold ice spray.
fire works went off AFTER the start and beyond you !!!
Positives - showers at the finish line on the course . , great medal , big finishing area .
friendly event .Written 5 January 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - angeleyes27Brigantine, NJ5,396 contributionsThis festival is a couple days in March and free. We saw the performances at Ala Moana center which were interesting and enjoyable. There was sometimes a wait between them. There was a sake festival at the Convention Center. However the line for the parking lot there was very long. So my husband had to circle around the block while I went inside for about 15 minutes. It was hard to enjoy under those circumstances but seemed like vendors selling things. I walked 5 blocks to see the parade but couldn’t find it.Written 28 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Llewellyn53Melbourne, Australia4,315 contributionsThe parade starts in the city and ends at Kapiolani Park. There are floats, bands, Hawaiian Island representatives on horseback in costume, community and marching groups. Try to find a spot where there will be shade (at the time of the parade) and bring a seat if you don't like standing because the parade is quite long.Written 1 July 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lisa S1 contributionI almost didn’t go but glad I did go. I had a great time. Food and music were great! It is crowded, but a lot of fun!Written 28 April 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MauiWorldTravelersKahului, HI1,713 contributionsBeing half Okinawan, I was of course jovial about attending this free, 2-day event with some of my immediate family members for the first time. While I can't say whether or not being outdoors or in was better, I will always prefer to be outside.
TIMELINE:
The festival started in 1982 and has grown ever since, relocating four times to accommodate the increasing numbers along with other factors.
1982 Ala Moana Beach Park
1985 Thomas Square Park
1990 Kapiolani Park
2018 Hawaii Convention Center
THE EVENT:
It's jam-packed with films, performances, dancing, crafts, food, fashion, grocery, plants and exhibits. There used to be an andagi cooking competition between Okinawan clubs which allowed patrons to eat fresh, hot andagi. But because the venue was indoors, they were cooked offsite and brought in. Bummer.
The majority of the event took place on the first level of the convention center in the gargantuan Kamehameha Exhibit Hall which spans just over 204,000 sf. An obon dance floor took centerstage with surrounding chairs, entertainment stage with more seats, food booths, beer stand, and several exhibit vendors were in this one room. I enjoyed my all-time favorite pig's feet soup, served piping hot with mustard cabbage, togan, daikon and konbu. So delish!
The third level of the convention center features a theater where a film about tofu was shown. Smaller meeting rooms housed vendors selling groceries, crafts and clothing. I picked up a very cool t-shirt and some Okinawan instant soba. The rooms were packed with people but flowed smoothly.
SCRIPS:
The majority of payments were done by scrip only, though a few places would also accept cash and cards. One scrip is equal to 50-cents, sold at booths throughout the event.
PARKING:
On top of $10 convention center parking, a pay-for shuttle ran between the center and McKinley High School. Luckily we were staying at the Ala Moana Hotel so we walked over.
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
Animals (sans for service ones), hard shell coolers, lawn chairs.
OVERALL:
We went on Saturday morning for a few hours, just enough time to eat, purchase items and browse the vendors. Other hardcore family members stayed longer and went on Sunday too. Food like the pig's feet soup, andagi and andadog constantly ran out and lines were long. I luckily got my soup without issue but didn't get to try any andagi or andadog as they were sold out during my time there.
Most of my family concluded that being indoors was best as it was cool and clean. Also, pushing someone in a wheelchair was easier on concrete and carpet than off-roading on grass and dirt in Kapiolani Park.
I don't need to go again but glad I got to experience it.Written 10 September 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Nick BLittleton, CO4 contributionsIt is understandable if your first reaction is to ignore Kilohana if you think of it like most of the shopping center free hula shows that are nice and compact. They are perfectly pleasant but not something generally worth making a point of going out of your way to see, especially if you have a luau booked for your trip. Kilohana is a full cast hula show with dancer and show quality that rivals that of some of the more famous luaus. The show invokes the old Kodak Hula Show but if you never saw it, that is perfectly ok. What you get is a hula show that exists solely to share hula, and because of that you really feel the Aloha.
The seating really helps ensure that everyone gets a good seat for the show, however the seats are metal benches so bring a cushion if you need it. I highly recommend taking TheBus from your resort if staying in Western Waikiki, but definitely worth the time.Written 30 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - alfred king1 contributionThis place is great. Lots of artists to pick from and lots of things to do. You can browse all the artists work and pick out a custom design.Written 15 January 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
