Experience the Waikiki Fall Festival: Culture, Food & Fun in Paradise

There’s always something fun going on in Waikiki.

While the Waikiki Fall Festival is one of our favorites, this Honolulu neighborhood is action-packed with things to do.

There’s a wealth of shopping and dining experiences, beautiful beaches with world-class surf breaks, live concerts, and a wide range of exciting events that are hosted throughout the year.

Working with many visitors here in Waikiki, we frequently provide recommendations to our guests.

One of those tips includes planning their trip around a Waikiki festival.

It’s a great way to experience authentic Hawaii like a local.

You can immerse yourself in the unique customs, traditions, art, music, and food for a deeper understanding you wouldn’t get otherwise.

Mingle with area residents and enjoy the chance to sample all those delicious Hawaiian dishes too!

What is the Waikiki Fall Festival?

Autumn brings one of our favorite festivals: the Waikiki Fall Festival.

Taking place since 2018, it’s held on Kalakaua Avenue between Seaside and Uluniu Avenues.

This stretch will be closed to vehicle traffic, providing a more pleasant environment for enjoying the many festivities.

We’ve put this guide together to help you make the most of this fun festival.

Discover what it is and what to expect, when it’s held, highlights, the top foods to try, and more.

When is the Waikiki Fall Festival 2025?

The Waikiki Fall Festival celebrates Hawaiian culture through a wide variety of festivities, kicking off with a grand opening ceremony (and fireworks!) that’s followed by multiple events.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly activity, you’ll be happy to know that there is no admission cost.

Simply enjoy the lively atmosphere along Kalakaua Avenue while people-watching.

You can also feast your way through the delicious Hawaiian fare and browse the artisan markets with their high-quality creations made right on the island.

Typically, you’ll find everything from unique local accessories and apparel to handmade jewelry and various other handcrafted items among more than 140 vendors.

Of course, to plan your trip around the festival, you’ll need to know more about when it’s held.

In 2025, the festival starts on September 15 with the opening ceremony, which includes cultural performances and a spectacular fireworks show.

But most of the events begin on Thursday, September 18, including:

• Traditional Hula Dance Competition on September 18, 2025
• Hawaiian Music Night on September 19, 2025
• Fire Knife Dancing Show on September 18, 2025
• Food and Craft Fair from September 22 through September 25, 2025

The festival runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day, with specific times still to be announced.

If you can’t be here for the entirety of the festival, consider planning your visit to Waikiki around some of the “can’t-miss” events.

Can’t-Miss Events at the Waikiki Fall Festival

Some of our favorite events we often recommend to visitors include the opening night fireworks display that lights up the skyline, the live Hawaiian music on the main stage, and the mesmerizing hula dances with talented dancers showing off their incredible skills.

The fire knife dancing is also a standout event.Part of traditional Polynesian culture, the dance involves acrobatic stunts while twirling a flaming knife. Don’t forget your camera!

The food is an event in itself. Did we mention what a great opportunity the festival is for trying all sorts of Hawaiian delicacies?

Tasty Bites: What to Eat at the Waikiki Fall Festival

There will be a wide range of food trucks and vendors, with a highlight on all things local, or at least Hawaiian.

While you’d have to have quite the appetite to try it all, these are some of the favorites:

• Hawaiian plate lunches
• Fresh seafood such as Kahuku shrimp and fried squid
• Lau lau (a classic Hawaiian dish made up of pork wrapped in taro leaves)
• Poi
• Fresh tropical fruits
• Hawaiian churros
• Malasada (a Portuguese donut)
• Hawaiian honey cones
• Banana split lumpia (brown-sugared bananas wrapped in lumpia and deep-fried to order)

Beyond the food, for the ultimate immersion into Hawaiian culture and the chance to pick up new skills, attend a cultural workshop.

Learn New Skills and Delve into the Real Hawaii via Cultural Workshops

A variety of interactive cultural workshops are available too, providing another opportunity to immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture while learning new skills.

They include everything from how to play the ukulele to making traditional leis.

As specific workshops and times are still to be announced, you’ll want to keep an eye on the event calendar.

Why the Waikiki Fall Festival Should Be on Your Travel List

With so many different festivities and fun happenings at the Waikiki Fall Festival, it’s sure to be a highlight of your time on the island.

Although there isn’t a parade, the Aloha Festival Floral Parade typically takes place on the last Saturday of September, making it easy to include for those who stick around.

For more expert local advice, you’ll find a wealth of other information on our site that will help you enjoy an unforgettable escape in paradise.