15 Fabulous Festivals Found Only in Hawaii (Yes, #3 is a real thing) 🤙🌺

So whether you’re a foodie, a culture buff, or just someone who loves a good party, there’s a Hawaiian festival that’s perfect for you.

Here’s your guide to 15 of the most unforgettable festivals in the Aloha State—be sure to add at least one of these to your itinerary! 

This week-long event is a celebration of hula and Hawaiian culture. It’s the most prestigious hula competition in the world and every spring Hawaiians flock to Hilo for this one. 

The festival honors King David Kalakaua, known as the “Merrie Monarch,” who revived Hawaiian cultural traditions. 

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The event features mesmerizing hula performances, cultural workshops, and craft fairs celebrating the beauty and resilience of Hawaiian heritage. Visitors can also enjoy a grand parade and an immersive atmosphere that connects them deeply to the spirit of Hawaii. 

More Info: https://www.merriemonarch.com/

King Kamehameha Day honors Hawaii’s first monarch, who united the islands under one kingdom. Celebrations include colorful parades, lei-draping ceremonies, and traditional Hawaiian music and dance. It’s a festive occasion filled with aloha spirit and cultural pride.

My favorite part of the festivities is the King Kamehameha Flower Parade. This Honolulu tradition is a visual feast with vibrant floral floats, a colorful procession of horseback riders in traditional attire, and hula performances.

The parade showcases the beauty of Hawaiian flowers and culture and is a highlight of the holiday.

More Info: King Kamehameha Celebration Commission

I didn’t believe this one was a real thing the first time I heard about it. So my husband and I went this year to see it for ourselves. I can now confirm that 

1) It is indeed an actual festival, and

2) It’s like Disneyland for Spam lovers. 

This quirky and unique Waikiki street festival celebrates Hawaii’s love of the iconic canned “meat” known as Spam. At the Waikiki Spam Jam, local chefs get creative with Spam dishes, offering everything from Spam tacos to Spam sliders.

The Duke’s tent even offered a twist on its famous Hula Pie with a frozen Spam topping (a bridge too far, in my opinion). 

I did try a few Spam dishes I enjoyed, though, and you can even order adult beverages served in Spam cans from local bars on festival day. The free event also features live entertainment, craft booths, and a fun, family-friendly vibe.

More Info: https://www.spamjamhawaii.com/

This cultural extravaganza celebrates Hawaii’s ties to the Asia-Pacific region with cultural performances, interactive exhibits, and crafts. Visitors can enjoy everything from Japanese taiko drumming to traditional Hawaiian hula. The festival wraps up with the Grand Parade through Waikiki and a dazzling fireworks display over the ocean.

Considered Hawaii’s premier cultural event, the Honolulu Festival Foundation delivers a spring extravaganza where cultures connect in a three-day bonanza of music, art, and motion.

More Info: https://www.honolulufestival.com/en/

A must for foodies, the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival brings together world-renowned chefs, winemakers, and mixologists to celebrate the flavors of the Hawaiian islands. Spread across multiple islands, the festival offers gourmet dining events, hands-on cooking classes, and tastings.

It’s a perfect experience for food lovers who want to savor Hawaii’s culinary diversity.

More Info: https://hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/

Lantern Floating Hawaii is a serene and poignant event that offers visitors a chance to honor loved ones by setting lanterns afloat in Ala Moana Beach Park. Held annually on Memorial Day, thousands of floating lanterns glowing on the water create a breathtaking and reflective atmosphere.

More Info: https://lanternfloatinghawaii.com/

This annual November affair is the perfect brew of culture and caffeine! 

Celebrating over 200 years of Kona coffee heritage, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is the oldest food festival in Hawaii. Over 10 unforgettable days, java enthusiasts can tour coffee farms, attend tastings, and experience cultural activities unique to the region. 

There are even cupping competitions where expert taste-testers crown the best beans. It’s a coffee lover’s paradise—and a must-visit for any caffeine aficionado!

More Info: https://konacoffeefest.com/

Known as Hawaii’s largest cultural celebration, this monthlong event honors Hawaiian traditions and history. Spanning the entire month of September, the Waikiki Ho‘olaule‘a is the centerpiece, transforming Kalakaua Avenue into a lively street festival with music, dance, and food booths.

Other highlights include the Floral Parade and a royal court ceremony reminiscent of ancient Hawaiian royalty.

More Info: https://www.alohafestivals.com/

Prince Kuhio Day honors the life of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, a Hawaiian leader who championed Native Hawaiian rights. Celebrations feature cultural events like hula, canoe races, and lei-making. It’s a wonderful way to learn about Hawaiian history and connect with local traditions.

More Info: https://honolulumoca.org/annual-prince-kuhio-parade/

Perfect for movie buffs, this festival showcases films from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is a premier showcase of films from the Asia-Pacific region, with screenings on Oahu and other islands. Film lovers can enjoy world premieres, meet filmmakers, and attend Q&A sessions. 

The festival also highlights Native Hawaiian cinema and storytelling.

More Info: https://hiff.org/

Every August, Hawaii shines a spotlight on local businesses and creators with Oahu’s Made in Hawaii Festival. Held at Honolulu’s Hawaii Convention Center, it’s a shopper’s paradise for locally made goods, including food, art, and jewelry that showcase Hawaiian talent.

Visitors can enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, and a taste of island-made products. The festival is a great way to support local small businesses and bring a piece of Hawaii home with you!

More Info: https://madeinhawaiifestival.com/

The Waimea Town Celebration is a weeklong event that celebrates Kauai’s west side and its rich heritage. Festivities include canoe races, traditional Hawaiian games, and live music. It’s a great opportunity to experience Kauai’s culture and local community spirit.

More Info: https://waimeatowncelebration.com/

One of the largest marathons in the world, the Honolulu Marathon takes runners on a scenic route through Honolulu and Waikiki, ending near Diamond Head. Held the 2nd Sunday in December, the annual event draws participants from around the globe and all of Waikiki is consumed by race festivities the whole weekend. 

Even if you’re not running, you’ll have a ball cheering on the runners along the course and in Kapiolani Park as they drag themselves across the finish line.

I have personally dragged myself (sometimes literally) across that finish line 13 times now and I can tell you, without a doubt, that it’s one of the best marathons in the entire world. 

Read More: 3 Reasons the Honolulu Marathon is the Best US Marathon for First Timers

More Info: https://www.honolulumarathon.org/

Known locally as simply “The Eddie,” the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is one of the most prestigious and legendary surf competitions in the world. Held at Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore, the event honors Eddie Aikau, a revered Hawaiian lifeguard, surfer, and hero who embodied the spirit of aloha and selflessness.

This competition is unique because it only runs when the waves reach a minimum of 20 feet on the Hawaiian scale (around 40 feet on the face) — a rare occurrence.

So rare that the competition has only actually run 10 times in the last 40 years! The most recent competition ran just before Christmas of 2024 and it was EPIC to watch.

Only the best big-wave surfers around the world are invited so the lineup is a who’s who of surfing.

The event is steeped in Hawaiian culture, beginning with a traditional blessing ceremony and showcasing the courage, skill, and respect for the ocean that Eddie stood for.

For spectators, “The Eddie” is a heart-pounding experience, drawing thousands to Waimea Bay to witness the artistry of world-class surfers riding some of the planet’s most massive waves (safely from shore, of course). 

More Info: https://www.theeddieaikau.com/

For over 30 years, Honolulu’s Pan-Pacific Festival has been celebrating the cultural connections between Hawaii and the Pacific Rim. The lively three-day event in Waikiki features traditional performances, food stalls, and a colorful parade down Kalakaua Avenue that is a grand spectacle of aloha spirit.

From crafts and cuisine to traditional dances, this popular festival is a sensory feast that celebrates Hawaii’s role as the bridge across the Pacific.

More Info: https://www.panpacificfestival.org/

So come celebrate Hawaii as the Hawaiians do! 

While most visitors flock to the beaches, there’s a hidden world of festivals waiting to be discovered across the islands. 

Whether you learn a bit of hula at the Merrie Monarch or discover a love for Spam at the Spam Jam, these 15 Hawaiian festivals and cultural celebrations are more than just events—they’re uniquely Hawaiian experiences you won’t want to miss. 

Share the Aloha!