Parades down Kalakaua Avenue, a marathon at dawn, surf contests and New Year fireworks: here is the shape of Waikiki's event year.
Waikiki hosts something almost every month, and Kalakaua Avenue regularly closes for parades and block parties. Dates move from year to year, so treat this as a seasonal guide and confirm details closer to your trip.
| When | Event | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| March | Honolulu Festival | Cultural performances from around the Pacific and a grand parade, traditionally followed by fireworks |
| June | King Kamehameha Day celebrations and Pan-Pacific Festival | Floral parade honouring Kamehameha I, plus hula and taiko performances |
| August | Duke's OceanFest | Surfing, paddling and ocean events honouring Duke Kahanamoku |
| September | Aloha Festivals | Floral parade with pa'u riders and the Waikiki Ho'olaule'a street party |
| Autumn | Hawaii International Film Festival | Films from Asia, the Pacific and Hawaii in Honolulu cinemas |
| December | Honolulu Marathon | Pre-dawn start, finish in Kapiolani Park |
| December 31 | New Year's Eve | Fireworks over the beach and private fireworks across the city |
Game days without a sportsbook
Football season matters in Honolulu too. Bars along Kuhio Avenue fill up for University of Hawaii games and NFL Sundays, which start in the morning thanks to the time difference. Mainland visitors notice one thing missing: with no legal sports betting in Hawaii, fans can talk point spreads all day but cannot place a wager, and the sportsbook trip waits until the next visit to Las Vegas.
Tips for event days
- Parade days close Kalakaua Avenue for hours; plan beach time around them.
- Arrive early for a spot in the shade along the route.
- Hotel rates jump during the marathon and the holidays; book well ahead.
Top photo: A participant wearing lei at the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade in Waikiki. Photo: Thomas Tunsch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
