January

Queen Emma’s Birth
Held in early January
Location: Queen Emma’s Summer Palace
808-595-2167
Admission Free
Queen Emma’s Summer Palace, managed by the Daughters of Hawai'i, will be open to the public for tours.

Sony Open in Hawaii
Held in mid January
Location: Waialae Country Club
808-742-7669
Admission Charged
C ome to Hawaii for this exciting season launch event, a tournament that brings together top-notch competitors and the stunning tropical splendor of the 50th state. A week long event for visitors, Hawaii residents and TV viewers all over the world to enjoy.

Annual Korean Festival
Held in mid January
Location: Kapiolani Park in Waikiki
808-524-7441
Admission Free
Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce presents its annual Korean Festival at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. Experience Korea's many sights, sounds and flavors. There is something for everyone including food from Korean restaurants, cooking demonstrations and live entertainment including traditional and contemporary Korean music and dance.

Aloha State Square & Round Dance Festival
Held in late January
Location: Ala Wai Golf Course Ballrooms
808-672-3646
Square Dancers from all around the world join with Hawaii dancers to enjoy a week of "Friendship Set to Music". Events on the island of Oahu include a luau, local dancing, festival workshops, evening dances, and whale watching cruise. Mainland callers & cuers will lead the festival events.

Whales Tails and Sunset, Stargazing Sails
Held late January – early February
808-306-7273
Admission Charged
Sail on a 42 ft. private catamaran on coastline noted for its clear, warm skies, stargazing, and humpback whales. A quest to experience nature's most awesome sights - a Hawaiian sunset, the full moon's path across the water, and possibly humpback whales, along with viewing of the major constellations and planets.

February

Valentine’s Day Special at the Polynesian Cultural Center
Held on or around Valentine’s Day
Location: Polynesian Cultural Center
800-367-7060
Admission Charged
La'ie lights up with a romantic setting under the stars at the Polynesian Cultural Center featuring North Shore dining and entertainment like no other.

NFL Pro Bowl
Held in mid February
Location: Aloha Stadium
212-450-2000 (NFL)
Admission Charged
The best players at their positions from the AFC face their counterparts from the NFC in the Leagues All-Star Game NFL Pro Bowl at the Aloha Stadium. Game time is 2:30pm.

Whale Tails, Chocolates and Champagne Sunset Sail
Held on Valentine’s Day
808-306-7273
Admission Charged
Treat yourself and your loved one to a magical night under the stars, a "sea of love" with the wind blowing through your hair, peace, quiet, and serenity, except maybe for some humpback whale or dolphin activity! Sail takes place on a 42 ft. private catamaran on leeward coastline noted for its clear, warm skies, phenomenal in views of constellations and planets.

The Great Aloha Run, Family Health, Fitness & Sports Expo
Held in mid February
Location: Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall
808-945-3594
Admission Free to registered runners, charge for others
One of Hawaii's largest community celebrations of health, fitness & sports; the Great Aloha Run has an event for everyone in the family. Activities start on Friday with the Family Health, Fitness & Sports EXPO that runs for three days. Saturday is the Silver Streaks Senior Citizens Sunrise Run/Walk and the exciting Keiki Great Aloha Fun Run & Circus Party. Monday is the Annual Great Aloha Run from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium with entertainment along the route and at the finish.

Keiki Great Aloha Fun Run & Circus Party
Held in mid February
808-732-2835
Admission Charged
The approx. 1 1/2 mi. course is open to children 12 years and under. Adults must register with children under 5 years of age. Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m. starting from the NBC Exhibition Hall entrance facing Ward Ave. (Great Aloha Run Family Health, Fitness & Sports Expo), then around McKinley High School and ending at the West Concourse driveway (parallel to Ward Ave.) of the NBC Exhibition Hall. After the fun run, children will enjoy extreme fun inflatables, entertainment, snacks and refreshments.

Aloha International Spirit Championships
Held in mid February
Location: Waikiki Shell
800-840-4772
Admission Charged
Cheerleading and dance teams from all over the world will compete at the beautiful Waikiki Shell.

Volcano Party Festival
Held in late February
Location: Varies throughout Honolulu
808-242-4900
Volcano Party Festival is a fundraiser for Maui AIDS Foundation. This event is a 3 day weekend of dance parties at various locations in Honolulu.

March

Annual Dance Concert
Held in early – mid March
Location: Honolulu
808-956-7655
Admission Charged
A large cast of UHM dance students/community members perform in this breathtaking blend of artistry, athleticism, dynamism, and explosive energy. The program culminates with a collaboration between UH's four resident faculty members employing a variety of flying and climbing apparatus to accentuate the beauty of motion in space.

Annual Hawai’I Invitational International Music Festival
Held mid – late March
Location: Throughout Honolulu
800-448-2374
Admission Free
High school, junior high, college band and pageantry units perform in competition for two weeks in Waikiki. Free concerts at Kapiolani Bandstand, plus the Annual "Salute to Youth" parade held at sunset on Kalakaua Avenue starting at Ft. DeRussy. Join participants from Hawai'i, the mainland and around the world in the largest Spring Break music festival on Oahu.

Annual Easter Sunrise Service
Held on Easter Sunday, usually late March – early April
Location: Held at the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at 6:15 a.m.
Gates open at 4:30 a.m. Parking is available in the Crater. A special bus makes two trips from Waikiki.

April

Hawaii Scottish Festival
Usually held in early April
Location: Honolulu and surrounding area
808-262-7550
Highland games and athletics! Men's and women's competition and prizes, entertainment: Piping, music, song & dance, plus traditional food and vendors.

Annual Hawaii Music Award
Usually held in early April
Location: Honolulu
808-951-7550
Admission Charged
A spectacular night of entertainment, music, awards and comedy. The annual fundraising event for the Music Foundation of Hawaii, a nonprofit organization in support of music in the schools. Hawaii's top entertainers, musicians and celebrities perform a variety of music to include Traditional Hawaiian, Island Music, Jazz, Rock, Latin, Classical, Country Music.

Aloha Marlin Golf Tournament
Usually held mid – late April
Location: Varies by year
408-828-2302
Admission Charged
A unique, interactive travel experience pairing you with your favorite NFL Celebrities.

Shakespeare’s Birthday Bash
Held in late April
Location: Kennedy Theatre Main stage
808-956-7655
Admission Free
Terence Knapp celebrates the Bard's birthday with readings, songs and stories.

Hawaii Quilt Guild Annual Exhibition
Held late April – early May
Location: Honolulu
808-532-8700
The Academy Art Center presents the best new quilts by contemporary Hawaiian quilters. Always a popular exhibition, this quilt show is one of the biggest in Hawaii. Sponsored by the Hawaii Quilt Guild.

May

Annual Dolphin Convocation
Usually occurs in early May
808-330-2502
Each year, during this time, huge numbers of dolphins (millions) gather in the waters between Bali and Lombok islands, Indonesia swimming in a gigantic wheel or spiral pattern. No one knows exactly why this happens. In Hawaii, similar occurrences take place (although usually "only" in the numbers of 100-200 spinner dolphins) during the same time. Join a marine biologist team to venture out and look for any correlations in Hawaiian waters in the spring.

Lei Day at the Polynesian Cultural Center
Held in early May
Location: Polynesian Cultural Center
800-367-7060
Admission Charged
May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center welcomes lei makers from around the islands to show off their handiwork in a lei exhibit and competition. Check out the islands finest or bring your own and see how you place.

The Samoa Festival at the Polynesian Cultural Center
Held in mid May
Location: Polynesian Cultural Center
Admission Charged
The Annual Samoa Festival highlights the culture of Samoa through demonstrations, performances in the Samoan village at the PCC. It features a high school and college arts festival on Saturday, which allows local Samoan clubs to compete in coconut husking, basket weaving, and banana peeling, as well as Samoan oratorical skills, their ability to play the music, and to perform traditional dances. A highlight of the festival is the annual World Fire knife Dance Competition.

Annual World Fire Knife Dance Championships
Held mid May
Location: Polynesian Cultural Center
Admission Charged
Fire lights up the night in Laie once again as the Polynesian Cultural Center holds its annual test of champions in the World Fire knife Dance Competition. Competitors from around the world vie for the title of world's best. See who can brave the flaming nifo'oti while twisting, turning and innovating routines never seen before. Tickets go fast, so make reservations early.

Great Hawaii Jazz and Blues Blowout
Usually held in mid May
Location: Kapiolani Community College
808-734-0397
Admission Charged
The annual Great Hawaii Jazz and Blues BlowOut features Hawaii’s top jazz musicians and vocalists.

June

Statue Decoration Ceremonies Ali’iolani Hale
Held in mid June
Location: Honolulu Civic Center
808-586-0333
Admission Free
The statue of King Kamehameha I, in the Honolulu Civic Center, is decorated with 13 foot floral leis, which are created on site throughout the day by volunteers. Music and Hula performances add to the colorful display; a photographer's delight.

Annual Pan-Pacific Festival
Held in mid June
Location: Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki
Admission Free
Waikiki's famous Kalakaua Avenue hosts a parade and ho'olaule'a (block party). Get set for a rollicking good time at the block party, with entertainers from Japan and Hawaii on five stages, street performers, ethnic food booths and more.

Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade
Held in mid June
Location: On the streets of Honolulu
808-586-0333
Admission Free
The colorful floral floats, glamorous Pa`u riders, outstanding marching bands traverse the streets of Honolulu beginning at King and Richards Streets, Punchbowl Street, onto Ala Moana Boulevard, merging into Kalakaua Avenue, ending at the Queen Kapiolani Park. Come and enjoy one of Hawaii's celebrated heritage.

Annual Pan-Pacific Festival - Hula
Held in mid June
Location: Ala Moana Shopping Center
808-926-8177
Admission Free
Come see hula performers from Japan perform, along with some local hula halaus (schools).

Annual Pan-Pacific Festival - Culture
Held in mid June
Location: Kapiolani Park
808-926-8177
Admission Free
Under the blue skies at Kapiolani Park, enjoy demonstrations and exhibitions of Japanese and Hawaiian culture, comparing and contrasting the two. Enjoy mask-making, mochi and poi pounding, shamisen and ukulele instrumental corner, traditional Japanese dance, hula, costumes, Mikoshi and other attractions!

Annual Pan-Pacific Festival – Ground Golf Hawaiian Open
Held in mid June
Location: Ala Moana Park
Admission Charged
Come see a friendly competition of Ground Golf. In this simplified version of Golf, the scores of the top three players of each team determine the winner. Enjoy watching teams from Japan and Hawaii battle for the championship of this leisure sport.

Annual Pan-Pacific Festival – Hawaiian Half Marathon
Held in mid June
Location: Race begins at Magic Island
808-926-8177
Admission Charged to run, free to watch
This half marathon starts off at 5AM at Magic Island, goes through Waikiki, around Diamond Head, and finishes at Kapiolani Park, for a scenic, challenging run. Length is 13 miles, and the course is USATF certified. The fun run/walk is 5 miles long, which is two laps around Kapiolani Park.

Annual Pan-Pacific Festival – Parade
Held in mid June
Location: Begins on Dalakaua Avenue
Admission Free
This is the Grand Finale of the Pan-Pacific Festival--Matsuri in Hawaii, wrapping up the three day event.

Annual Pacific Coast & Annual Deaf Women’s Bowling Association
Held in mid June
Location: Leeward Bowl/Aiea Bown
808-836-6204 or 808-671-6205
Admission Charged to bowl, free to watch
The Hawaii Silent Bowlers host the Pacific Coast Deaf Bowling Tourney in Honolulu.

Annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition
Held in late June
808-536-6540
Call for additional information
An international cultural event which features dance schools from the continental U.S., Hawaii and Japan. Dancers compete in both traditional and contemporary hula styles. Categories include male groups, female groups, combined groups, kupuna wahine (senior women) and individual chanters. Colorful event featuring as many as 500 dancers accompanied by live music by the best of island musicians.

Annual Taste of Honolulu
Held in late June
Location: Honolulu Civic Center
808-536-1015
Admission ChargedEaster Seals Hawai`i and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation celebrate the Taste of Honolulu. Taste of Honolulu is one of Hawaii’s largest outdoor food, wine, and entertainment festivals. Many of Hawaii’s top restaurants participate. There are many fun and educational activities, cooking demonstrations, and non-stop local entertainment. Scrip is sold for tasting portions.

July

4th of July Annual Sunset Sail – Wild Dolphin Foundation Fundraiser
Held on the 4th of July
Location: Varies
808-306-7273
Admission Charged
The boat departs just before dusk to capture the glorious sunset. This annual fundraising event also allows one to view the major summer constellations and planets.

Annual Te Mahana Hiro’a O Tahiti Festival
Held in mid July
Location: Polynesian Cultural Center
Admission Charged
Drums and dances of the islands of Tahiti are featured in this exciting celebration at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Keiki (children) from around the islands will compete in the dance and drumming competition that draws both locals and visitors alike.

Paradise Ride – Hawaii’s Ride to Stop AIDS
Usually held in mid July
Location: Honolulu
808-285-9866
Admission Charged
The Paradise Ride is Hawaii’s fully supported, multi-island cycling adventure that gives participants the opportunity to visit some of the most scenic sites in Hawaii and share in the true feelings of aloha while raising funds for critical HIV/AIDS services. Meals, transportation, safety and mechanical support, and entertainment are all provided during a week on two wheels. This grass-roots event is collaboratively produced by the staffs, friends, and volunteers of Life Foundation on Oahu, Maui AIDS Foundation, and Malama Pono – Kaua`i AIDS Project.

August

Annual Whakataetae Maori Song & Dance Competition
Held in early August
Location: Polynesian Cultural Center
Admission Charged
Join the Polynesian Cultural Center as it celebrates the Maori culture with the annual Whakataetae Festival. Don't miss this unique glimpse into the culture of New Zealand's people.

September

Ceremony Commemorating the Anniversary of the End of World War II
Usually held in early September
808-423-0405
Call for additional information
The USS Missouri Memorial Association, caretaker of the Mighty Mo holds a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the end of World War II. The war ended on the deck of the USS Missouri on Sept. 2, 1945, when representatives of 10 nations, including U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, assembled on her deck in Tokyo Bay, Japan, to receive the surrender documents from Japanese officials.

Girl Fest Hawaii
Held in early – mid September
808-599-3931
Call for additional information
Girl Fest Hawaii a non-profit multimedia festival incorporates dance, spoken word, visual art, music concerts, workshops, a film festival, and a panel/lecture series. The mission is to prevent violence against women and girls through education and entertainment.

October

Ghost Ship
Held on Holloween
808-306-7273
Admission Charged
A local storyteller transforms a serene night boat trip into a Ghost Ship! Hear local legends and "chicken-skin" stories. Proceeds donated to the Wild Dolphin Foundation.

Hydrofest-Pearl Harbor
Usually held in mid October
Location: Pearl Harbor
808-471-0818
Admission Charged
Annual hydroplane races, events, food, rides.

November

Hawaii International Film Festival
Usually held in mid November
808-528-FILM
Admission Charged
100 films from 150 countries, awards.

World Invitational Hula Festival
Usually held in mid November
Location: Waikiki Shell
808-436-3185
Admission Charged
Soloists and hula halau (hula groups) vie from Europe, Asia, Guam, the Mainland and Hawaii.

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Series
Dates vary in November
Location: Alii Beach Park in Haleiwa
808-638-7266
Admission Charged
Starts with the G-Shock Hawaiian Pro-Men and Women’s Division and Longboard Championships.

December

Annual Honolulu City Lights
Held the month of December
Location: Honolulu Hale
808-523-4674
Admission Free
The Honolulu City Lights are spectacular and a holiday season tradition! The city's 65-foot Norfolk Island pine is lighted at Honolulu Hale. Light Parade, concerts, indoor Christmas trees and wreaths are all part of the festivities.

Honolulu Marathon
Date varies in December
Location: Race begins in Waikiki
808-734-7200
Admission Charged to run, free to watch
26.2 mile race from Waikiki to Diamond Head. One of the country’s largest marathon events.

Aloha Bowl Football Classic
Held in late December
Location: Aloha Stadium
808-956-6501
Admission Charged

First Night Honolulu Party
Held on New Year’s Eve
Location: Honolulu
First Night Honolulu is an alcohol-free party with over 250 events at 75 stages

Arts:

Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall
777 Ward Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
808-527-5400
The Concert Hall is Hawaii’s premier performing arts theater for the Honolulu Symphony and the Hawaii Opera Theatre. Broadway productions such as Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable, Rent, Miss Saigon, Chicago, Cats and other national touring shows have performed here.

Symphony

Honolulu Symphony
Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall
808-792-2000
Founded in 1900, the Honolulu Symphony claims the distinction of being the oldest American orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains!

Opera

Hawaii Opera Theatre
987 Waimanu Street
Honolulu, HI 96814
808-596-7858
Season runs January - March
Hawaii Opera Theatre has been delighting audiences of all ages for decades. With sensational grand opera productions, award-winning education programs and delightful presentations that bring opera to everyone, HOT is a shining star in Hawaii's performance arts community.

Ballet

Hawaii State Ballet
1418 Kapiolani Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
808-947-2755
Call for performance schedule.
Hawaii State Ballet performs throughout the year, culminating in December with several performances of the Nutcracker.