Hawaiian Festival Calendar 2026

A week-long celebration of Hawaiian and Western heritage in historic Waimea town on Kauai's west side. Features a rodeo, canoe races, lei contests, Hawaiian music, and a paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) heritage showcase. One of the most authentic community festivals in the islands.

Honolulu's historic Chinatown — the oldest in the United States, established in the 1850s — celebrates Lunar New Year with a week of dragon dances, lion dances, lantern festivals, and firecracker ceremonies along Hotel Street and Maunakea Street. In 2026, the celebration centers on February 17 (Year of the Horse). Hawaii's deep Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Filipino heritage makes this one of America's most authentic Asian New Year celebrations. The Maunakea Marketplace fills with special holiday foods. Chinatown gallery walks and cultural performances run throughout the week. This is one of the most underrated events in Honolulu — and the neighborhood's art galleries and restaurants are at their most vibrant.

The Olympics of hula — a week-long celebration in Hilo featuring the world's most prestigious hula competition. Halau (hula schools) from across Hawaii and the mainland compete in kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) categories. Named after King David Kalakaua, who revived Hawaiian cultural practices. Tickets sell out months in advance.

Celebrated on May 1st across all islands with lei-making competitions, Hawaiian music, hula performances, and community gatherings. Kapiolani Park in Honolulu hosts the largest celebration with master lei makers displaying stunning creations using native flowers, ferns, and shells. "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii."

June 11th honors King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands. The iconic statue in downtown Honolulu is draped with flower lei measuring 20+ feet. A massive floral parade winds through Waikiki with pau riders (women on horseback in traditional dress), floats, and marching bands. Celebrations on every island.

The largest non-competitive hula event in Hawaii, held at Moanalua Gardens on Oahu. Named after Prince Lot Kapuaiwa (King Kamehameha V) who preserved hula when missionaries tried to ban it. Halau perform ancient and modern hula in a stunning outdoor setting surrounded by monkeypod trees. Free admission.

A ten-day celebration of Kauai's plantation heritage in the historic town of Koloa, where Hawaii's first sugar plantation was established in 1835. Features a parade, rodeo, craft fair, Hawaiian music, ethnic food booths representing the diverse cultures that worked the plantations, and a community luau.

Hawaii's largest cultural celebration — a month of events across all islands with the biggest festivities on Oahu. The Waikiki Ho'olaule'a (block party) shuts down Kalakaua Avenue for a massive street festival with Hawaiian music, hula, food vendors, and arts. The Floral Parade through Waikiki features elaborate floats and pau riders. Over 300,000 attendees.

The ancient Hawaiian season of peace, harvest, and celebration dedicated to the god Lono, running from October through February. Traditional Makahiki games include ulu maika (Hawaiian bowling), konane (Hawaiian checkers), and haka moa (chicken fight wrestling). Cultural centers and parks host Makahiki festivals with traditional sports and ceremonies.

A ten-day celebration of Kona's 200-year coffee heritage on the Big Island's west coast. Features farm tours, cupping competitions, a coffee picking contest, art shows, recipe contests, and a lantern parade through historic Kailua Village. The oldest food festival in Hawaii, running since 1970. Free farm tours and tastings.

The most prestigious big wave surfing event in the world, held at Waimea Bay only when waves reach a minimum of 20 feet (Hawaiian scale, 40+ feet face). Named after legendary Hawaiian lifeguard and surfer Eddie Aikau. The event has a "holding period" from December through February but only runs when conditions are right — it's been held fewer than 10 times since 1984. "Eddie Would Go."