What’s Happening in Waikiki? Your Month-by-Month Events Guide

Attending an event while visiting Waikiki can be a great way to get more out of your vacation, providing the chance to mingle with locals and gain a deeper understanding of the culture.

Honolulu’s vibrant Waikiki district is not only renowned for its stunning beauty, including those pristine white sandy beaches and swaying palms, but also for its dynamic mix of events.

What to Expect When it Comes to Waikiki Events

Throughout the year, Waikiki hosts many different types of festivals and events that celebrate Hawaiian traditions, music, and dance.

Luaus on the beaches, live performances, culinary events, and art exhibitions are just a few of the many offerings.

Of course, there are special seasonal celebrations that often include fireworks, such as the Fourth of July and  New Year’s Eve.

You’ll find a wealth of happenings in this vibrant community and its cultural heritage throughout the year – you might even want to plan your next trip around one of them. 

We’ve detailed the top annual events by season to help you plan the ultimate vacation in Waikiki, starting with spring, the season of renewal!

Annual Events in Waikiki You Shouldn’t Miss

Spring Events in Waikiki (March – May)

The Honolulu Festival

The premier cultural event in Hawaii, the Honolulu Festival offers a unique experience for visitors, attracting thousands of first-timers and returning attendees every year. 

Taking place over three days, between Friday and Sunday in early March,  it features a variety of performers from many different countries, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, Tahiti, Taiwan, the mainland U.S., Hawaii, and more.

Culminating with a grand parade down Waikiki’s main street (Kalakaua Avenue), it’s followed by dance and music performances, art exhibits, and a wealth of activities. A craft fair is also featured, along with fireworks.

SPAM Jam Festival

All about SPAM, one of Hawaii’s most famous and beloved foods, the SPAM Jam Festival celebrates it annually in late April.

Showcasing creative (and delicious!) ways to prepare it, during this Waikiki event, local restaurants and chefs compete in contests to determine who can prepare the most innovative dishes featuring spam.

Attendees get to sample them, with everything from the classic SPAM musubi to gourmet SPAM tacos.

Beyond the tasty eats, there is live music, hula performances, and arts and crafts booths.

Lei Day

Held on May 1st every year at Kapi’olani Park, the Annual Lei Day Celebration honors the lei, a common symbol of friendship and love, representing “Aloha.”

There will be free lei-making workshops for those who want to learn how to create their own, hula performances, live Hawaiian music, food and craft vendors, and more.

Shinnyo Lantern Floating Festival

The Shinnyo Lantern Floating Festival takes place on Memorial Day every year.

Held in the event, this is a free Waikiki event that draws thousands to Ala Moana Beach.

This is a great one to attend if you’d like to experience authentic Hawaiian traditions as the locals come together to promote peace and honor their loved ones.

The lantern release is the focus of the festival, with messages written on the lanterns before they’re released into the Pacific.

Prayer ceremonies, Buddhist monk-led meditation sessions, live music and dancing are all included.

Honolulu is lively year-round, but there are some particularly impressive Waikiki events in the summer.

Summer Events in Waikiki (June – August)

King Kamehameha Day Celebrations

King Kamehameha Day celebrations kick off the summer events, held over several days in mid-June.

It starts with a tribute to the king at the statue of Kamehameha I in front of  Aliʻiōlani Hale and is followed by the statue lei draping.

The main events include the King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade starting at 9 a.m. that travels from Iolani Palace to Kapiʻolani Park.

Afterward, there will be live entertainment like hula dancing, vendors where you can browse or buy Hawaiian-made products, food booths, and more.

Pan Pacific Celebration

Taking place over three days in mid-June at multiple venues from Waikiki to Ala Moana, the Pan Pacific Celebration is a multicultural event.

It includes an array of fun activities and performances, including diverse ethnic performances, providing a unique opportunity to marvel at the traditional cultural costumes, listen to cultural instruments, and catch folklore events.

There will be hula groups from both Hawaii and Japan to celebrate the practice of the dance as well.

Sunset on the Beach

Held on Saturdays after sunset at mid-month, starting in June and running through October, Sunset on the Beach is a free event featuring movies shown on a 30-foot screen at Queen’s Beach.

Before the show begins, there will be live Hawaiian entertainment and delicious, affordable eats.

Fourth of July

Fourth of July is a big deal on Oahu.

If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate Independence Day, there are few better places to be.

Not only are there an array of events and activities right in Waikiki, but also across the island.

For a unique event, you might enjoy a Waikiki Independence Day cruise with dinner and a Polynesian show. Of course, celebrations often include fireworks displays as the grand finale.

Duke’s OceanFest

Duke’s OceanFest is hosted every year in late August along the shores of Waikiki Beach, right where The Duke honed his skills that turned him into an Olympic champion and a champion of Aloha.

A week-long festival featuring local, U.S. mainland, and international competitors, you can watch or compete in a wide variety of events from surfing to beach volleyball.

There’s even one for your talented four-legged best friend, the “Raising Cane’s Going to the Dogs SurFur ComPETition.”

While summer may be winding down, don’t worry, there are plenty of Waikiki events in the fall too.

Fall Events in Waikiki (September – November)

Wakiki Fall Festival

A celebration of Hawaiian culture taking place annually in mid-September, the Aloha Fall Festival features traditional music, dance performances, a wide range of delicious Hawaiian cuisine, and artisan markets with high-quality island creations.

It’s always enjoyable to watch the traditional hula competition, and you can even witness a fire knife dancing show.

The Waikiki Aloha Festival

The biggest cultural event not only in Waikiki but the entire state of Hawaii, the Waikiki Aloha festival is all about Hawaiian history and culture.

Held over four days in late September, it includes a parade, live music, fashion shows, a variety of workshops from lei-making to hula, and plenty of delectable cuisine.

Pearl Harbor Memorial/Waikiki Holiday Parade

The Waikiki Holiday Parade, also known as the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, is an event that kicks off the holidays while also commemorating Pearl Harbor and honoring the veterans involved in the attacks on December 7, 1941.

The procession travels along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki and includes local and mainland marching bands along with local officials and other entrants.

One of our favorite seasons in Waikiki is now just around the corner. From whale watching to holiday events, you’ll find plenty.

Winter Events in Waikiki (December – February)

Waikiki Trolley Holiday Lights

Running from early December through just after Christmas, the Waikiki Trolley offers a special themed tour for the holidays that runs every evening.

Throughout the month and into early January, the city will be decked out in twinkling lights and festive decor.

The trolley guide will take you to some of the top spots in both downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, complemented by Hawaiian holiday stories and caroling.

Waikiki New Year’s Eve Celebration

Waikiki Beach is one of the best places to be in the U.S. to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

It hosts a countdown and elaborate fireworks display that’s often ranked among the country’s top shows, with some 2,000 fireworks lighting up the sky – and in shapes like palm trees for a special island twist.

Whale Watching

Whale watching is a Waikiki event that’s at its peak in February.

While the activity can enjoyed anytime from December through April, you’ll enjoy the best odds for sightings this month.

The population of humpback whales in the area will be at its peak, making it the prime time for observing them and behaviors like breaching and tail slapping.

How can you find out if any new events are happening? Read on!

How to Stay Updated on Waikiki Events

One of the best ways to stay updated on Waikiki events is to check with our staff at FIRST CABIN INTERNATIONAL HAWAII. 

Living and working right here in Waikiki, we keep up on all the top events as we like to enjoy them too.

Of course, you can also check official event calendars like the one you’ll find at GoHawaii.

Now that you have a taste of the fun and culture you can immerse yourself in during your Waikiki getaway, it’s time to come to a close.

Conclusion

No matter when you plan to visit Waikiki, there’s sure to be something fun happening in addition to the usual activities like lounging on Waikiki Beach, learning to surf, watching hula performances, and checking out the historic landmarks. 

Odds are, before you leave, you’ll be planning a return trip – and it might just be the perfect excuse to plan it around one of the most enticing Waikiki events!