Festivals
1. Chinese New Year
The sound of hundreds of thousands of firecrackers, the time honored Lion Dance, and bountiful feasts mark Chinese New Year in the islands. It takes place in early February, and anyone can take part.
2. Cherry Blossom Festival
This long running springtime festival perpetuates the rich heritage of Japanese culture through activities like the Heritage Fair and the Hawai’i International Taiko (Drum) Festival. The celebration culminates with the Festival Ball where a Cherry Blossom Queen and her Court are chosen.
3. Lei Day
“May Day is Lei Day” say the lyrics of a popular Hawaiian song. Not that anyone in the islands needs an excuse to make, wear, or give a lei, but May 1st is the day when master lei makers showcase their amazing skills.
4. King Kamehameha Day Celebration
The highlight of the June events marking the King’s birthday is O’ahu’s colorful Floral Parade, which wends its way through Honolulu and Waikīkī, ending at Kapi’olani Park. Other activities include concerts, a Folklife Festival and an international hula competition.
5. Lantern Floating Ceremony
People flock to Ala Moana Beach Park each Memorial Day (last Monday in May) for the setting adrift of thousands of flickering lanterns in remembrance of those who gave their lives in conflict. Guests are encouraged to pray for a peaceful, harmonious future.
6. Prince Lot Hula Festival
Held annually on the third Saturday in July at lovely Moanalua Gardens, the festival is the largest and oldest non-competitive hula event in Hawai’i. It is named for Prince Lot, who reigned briefly as King Kamehameha V and was known for his commitment to the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture.
7. Hawai’i State Farm Fair
Sponsored by the Hawai’i Farm Bureau Federation, this county-style fair is held in mid-July to the delight of locals and visitors alike. Perennial favorites are the Country Market, which sells fresh produce from Island farms, the 4-H Livestock Exhibition, and the Plant Sale.
8. Aloha Festivals
Contemporary Hawai’i is celebrated from mid-September to mid-October every year. The festivities begin on O’ahu and move through the island chain with at least a week-long celebration at every stop. A “royal court” is chosen on each island, and there are floral parades, concerts, and craft fairs.
9. Hawai’i Food and Wine Festival
Some of the greatest culinary masterminds from around the globe arrive at Honolulu to participate in this week-long gastronomic festival. You can attend wine tastings, dinners and special events with some of the world’s best-known chefs. The festival, held at O’ahu in early September, celebrates Hawai’i’s abundance of seafood, beef and poultry.
10. Honolulu City Lights
Children of all ages look forward anxiously to the evening in early December when the switch is flipped that lights up the city Christmas tree, signals the start of the Honolulu City Lights Electric Light Parade, illuminates the entire civic center area, and, of course, marks the beginning of the holiday season. The light displays, which adorn all city department buildings, are truly magical.
