Major Honolulu Events Worth Flying in For

Discover the vibrant city of Honolulu where a multitude of major events, festivals and holiday celebrations await your visit throughout the year.

As Oʻahu residents immersed in the local events scene, we’ve experienced the island’s most iconic events — each offering a unique glimpse into Hawaiʻi’s culture, community and entertainment.

From time-honored traditions to adrenaline-pumping competitions and culinary showcases, these annual gatherings bring Honolulu to life year after year.

In this post, we outlines the best major events taking place in Honolulu in 2025-26.

1. The Sony Open

Watch PGA pros tee off in Hawaiʻi’s biggest golf tournament.

📍 Waiʻalae Country Club, Kahala
⏰ When: Mon-Sun 12-18 Jan 2026
🎟️ Cost: From $40 per day ticket

The PGA Tour swings into the new year with The Sony Open. Hawaiʻi is home to the most beautiful golf courses in the world, and the Waiʻalae Country Club course proves it’s well deserving of the title. Grab day tickets or weeklong admission to watch championship-caliber golfers go head-to-head in this annual tournament.

The 70-par course stretches 7,000yd (6.4km) along the seaside with views of Maunalua Bay. You’ll have excellent views as a bystander for one of the sport’s major tournaments, watching over one hundred golfers compete for the title.

2. Honolulu Festival

Pacific Rim cultures come to life with performances and a grand parade.

📍 Multiple locations
⏰ When: Fri-Sun 7-9 Mar 2025
🎟️ Cost: Free and paid events

Hawaiʻi is a multi-cultural heritage that celebrates its diversity with the Honolulu Festival. It’s now in its 29th edition, and announced that the 2025 theme is “Bridging Cultures, Together for a Peaceful Tomorrow.”

Every event during the festival blends fun and entertainment with awareness of peaceful harmony with the Asia-Pacific Rim region. Attend the Friendship Gala for culinary and performance displays from around the world. Walk through more than 100 international booths at the Craft Fair and Exhibition. Attend the Grand Parade to see Miss Hawaiʻi, the Royal Hawaiian Band and cultural displays.

The weekend-long festival ends with the Nagaoka Fireworks over Waikīkī Beach at 8:30pm to represent peace for the harmonious nations.

3. Prince Kūhiō Parade

Honoring the legacy of a beloved Hawaiian prince with cultural festivities.

📍 Multiple locations
⏰ When: Wed 26 Mar (holiday)/Sat 29 Mar (parade) 2025
🎟️ Cost: Free to watch

If you’re visiting Waikīkī on Wednesday 26 March 2025, you might notice many stores closed. That’s because it’s Prince Kūhiō Day, a state holiday when government offices shut down, schools are out and more than 10,000 people take part in the celebrations.

Known as the “Citizen Prince,” Prince Jonah Kūhiō was a respected royal who advocated for citizen rights. Hawaiʻi honors his legacy with the Prince Kūhiō Parade in Kapolei on 29 March 2025.

4. Waikīkī SPAM JAM

A quirky, crowd-favorite street festival celebrating Hawaiʻi’s love for SPAM.

📍 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
⏰ When: Sat 26 Apr 2025 from 4-10pm
🎟️ Cost: Free to attend

Did you know that Hawaiians love SPAM? Admittedly, it’s one of the quirkiest staples in Hawaiʻi’s culture with roots dating back to its widespread use during World War II. Keep the tradition alive by attending Waikīkī SPAM JAM, the world’s largest SPAM festival.

Vendors and stages line up on Kalākaua Avenue for dining, shopping and entertainment. Taste signature Hawaiʻi-inspired SPAM dishes made by local Oʻahu restaurants including Giovanni Pastrami, Maui Brewing Co., Aloha Pizzeria and more.

5. Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi

A Memorial Day ceremony of floating lanterns for remembrance and hope.

📍 Ala Moana Beach Park
⏰ When: Mon 26 2025 from 6:30-7:30pm
🎟️ Cost: Free to attend

Ala Moana Beach lights up every Memorial Day. Hawaiʻi has adopted its own tradition of celebrating the holiday with the Shinnyo Lantern Floating ceremony.

More than 50,000 people line the coastline to send Japanese-style lanterns into the ocean. The Japanese word “shinnyo” represents the light in everything and the gesture is done to remember lives lost from the world but never forgotten. If you plan to attend, make reservations for a lantern and personalize it with your own prayers and messages to loved ones.

6. Pan Pacific Festival

A three-day celebration of international cultures with lots of music and dance.

📍 Multiple locations
⏰ When: Fri-Sun 13-15 Jun 2025
🎟️ Cost: Free and paid events

Pan Pacific Festival is back! What started as a showcase of Japanese heritage when the event first launched in 1980 has blossomed into a multicultural extravaganza representing all Pacific Rim nations.

The three-day event has a schedule full of events immersing you in Hawaiʻi’s cultural melting pot. Attend performing arts showcases for music and dance, check out the hula festival, shop crafts and food and so much more.

7. King Kamehameha Celebration

A regal tribute to Hawaiʻi’s first King, featuring a huge floral parade.

📍 Multiple locations
⏰ When: Wed-Sat 11-14 Jun 2025
🎟️ Cost: Free and paid events

King Kamehameha is one of Hawaiʻi’s most recognized royal figures responsible for uniting the Hawaiian Islands during his reign. Since 1872, a holiday dedicated in his name has been celebrated with events on each island.

If you’re visiting Oʻahu, you can participate in King Kamehameha celebrations. Visit the Ali’iōlani Hale for the lei draping at one of Honolulu’s most photographed statues. Watch the floral parade procession from ʻIolani Palace to Kapi’olani Park and revel in the festivities at the King Kamehameha Ho’olaule’a (street party) in Waikīkī.

8. Prince Lot Hula Festival

A non-competitive gathering where hula thrives as a cultural legacy.

📍 Moanalua Gardens
⏰ When: Sat-Sun 19-20 Jul 2025 from 9am-4pm
🎟️ Cost: Free to attend

The revival of Hawaiian culture continues after being encouraged by King Kamehameha V. Known previously as Prince Lot, the Prince Lot Hula Festival was established on the grounds of his former cottage and is as vibrant as ever!

The non-competitive festival is invitation-only participation from a dozen hula schools in Hawaiʻi. Nearly 10,000 attendees come every year to watch ancient and modern hula traditions performed on a ceremonious earthen hula mound.

9. Made in Hawaiʻi Festival

A massive marketplace highlighting locally made products, food and crafts.

📍 Hawaiʻi Convention Center
⏰ When: Fri-Sun 15-17 Aug 2025
🎟️ Cost: From $8 per day ticket

Buy Hawaiʻi. For Hawaiʻi. A festival slogan that’s helped local entrepreneurs in Hawaiʻi for three decades. Shop and support locals at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, which puts nearly 450 vendors in front of 50,000 attendees.

Discover the creativity and business savvy of vendors across the Hawaiian Islands. Booths inside the exhibition hall feature goods from various categories — food, art, books, clothing, jewelry and more. Tickets are required for entry.

10. Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival

Honoring Duke Kahanamoku with a week of water sport competitions.

📍 Waikīkī Beach
⏰ When: TBC Aug 2025
🎟️ Cost: Free to watch

The Duke Kahanamoku statue watching over Waikīkī Beach is a year-long reminder of his impact on popularizing surfing. His birthday is an even more special time to visit Honolulu for the official Duke’s OceanFest. Pay homage to one of Hawaiʻi’s most iconic figures by participating in (or simply watching) his favorite sports.

Duke’s OceanFest attracts all beach lovers in a multi-day showcase of aquatic and beach athleticism. Surf contests showcase the best of the best — it even has a category for dogs and cats. The one mile ocean swim has swelled to more than 300 people in recent years. And sign up your team in advance for the beach volleyball competition.

11. Aloha Festivals

Hawaiʻi’s premier cultural festival, a statewide celebration of aloha.

📍 Multiple locations
⏰ When: Sat 6, 20 & 27 Sep 2025
🎟️ Cost: Free to attend

Nationwide, Hawaiʻi awakens with the spirit of aloha in its largest celebration of Hawaii culture — music, dance, history and more! Be one of 100,000 people taking part in over 100 events hosted all month long across the island of Oʻahu and beyond.

The multi-event Aloha Festivals launches with the Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony to honor Hawaiʻi’s ruling chiefs. Join the festivities for Hawaiʻi’s largest block parties for the 71st Annual Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa (street party). Later in the month, follow the aromatic scents of the Annual Floral Parade, a 77-year-old tradition, from Ala Moana Beach Park enroute to Kapiʻolani Park. It’s an all-out celebration with performances from local marching bands, hula dancers and more.

12. Hawaiʻi International Film Festival

Showcasing top Asia-Pacific and global cinema in an island setting.

📍 Multiple theaters
⏰ When: Thu-Thu 16-30 Oct 2025
🎟️ Cost: From $10 per event ticket

It’s lights, camera, action at this year’s Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF). It’s evolved into one of Honolulu’s major events, attracting everyone from industry professionals to cinephiles — you might even spot a few local movie stars!

HIFF spotlights Asian-Pacific films created by seasoned professionals, award-winners and new filmmakers. There are more than 200 film screenings in select theaters on Oʻahu and extended screenings on neighboring islands. The festival also hosts filmmaker panels, kids’ educational events, and networking opportunities if you’re looking for your big break during your stay in Waikīkī.

13. Honolulu Pride Parade

A colorful celebration of LGBTQ+ pride marching through Waikīkī.

📍 Ala Moana Blvd › Kalākaua Ave › Monsarrat Ave › Queen Kapiʻolani Park
⏰ When: Sat 18 Oct 2025 from 4pm
🎟️ Cost: Free to watch

October is Pride Month in Honolulu, and there are events all month long to get involved. Support the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation and other local organizations in these events designed to empower LGBTQIA+ communities.

The festival opens with the Kapaemahu Ceremony before participating in other celebrations like National Coming Out Day and Rainbow Town Halls. Festival highlights include the Honolulu Pride Parade, live music performances and over 40 other events.

14. Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival

A culinary extravaganza featuring world-class chefs and island-inspired flavors.

📍 Multiple locations
⏰ When: Sat -Sun 18 Oct-2 Nov 2025
🎟️ Cost: From $200 per event ticket

Come hungry, come thirsty because the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival (HFWF) satisfies the culinary cravings of over 12,000 attendees every year. Indulge in your epicurean pleasures with food sampling, wine tasting, spirit sipping and more.

Hawaiʻi’s largest food and wine festival brings foodies and wine connoisseurs together to experience the culinary expertise of more than 150 tastemakers. Special events include a tasting menu prepared by ten chefs using local recipes.

15. Honolulu Marathon

One of the world’s largest marathons, offering a non-time-restricted course.

📍 Kapiʻolani Park, Waikīkī
⏰ When: Sun 14 Dec 2025 from 5am
🎟️ Cost: From $165 per event ticket

Consider the hike to the Diamond Head summit a warm-up for the real fitness challenge. Honolulu Marathon is a 26.2mi (42.1km) route through paradise — the fourth longest in the U.S. — welcoming all to participate. Its popularity made it surpass 16,000 participants, all striving to reach the finish line.

Need some runner’s motivation? It’s not a race — all runners who cross the finish line will get an event medal and commemorative shirt. Consider it a tour around the south shore of the island of Oʻahu including past Hawaiʻi landmarks like Diamond Head. If you prefer to cheer from the sidelines, pick a spot in Kapiʻolani Park and wave in the finishers.

16. Vans Triple Crown of Surfing

A legendary big-wave competition that crowns the best in the sport.

📍 Oʻahu’s North Shore
⏰ When: TBC Nov-Dec 2025
🎟️ Cost: Free to watch

Surfers worldwide flock to Oʻahu’s North Shore every winter for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. It’s when you’ll see the biggest waves here, towering upwards of three stories and higher! More than 100 surfers compete to prove themselves as the world’s best surfer and win prize money.

Grab a spot on the North Shore beaches to watch the competition for free. It features three events: Haleʻiwa Pro at Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park, Pipe Masters at ‘Ehukai Beach Park (Banzai Pipeline) and Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach.

In summary, plan your trip around one of these unforgettable events and experience the best of Honolulu’s culture, entertainment and festivities firsthand.